Running counter to the music industry's paranoia concerning the perils of modern digital technology, some musicians <I>want</I> you to share their music—within limits. <A HREF="http://www.garageband.com">GarageBand.com</A>, which bills itself as "the world's largest musician community," announced June 7 that it now offers the Creative Commons Music Sharing License as an optional tag for all songs uploaded to its website.
For some time now, the truly hip Web-enabled person of stature has shared his or her thoughts with the world via a blog (from we<B>b</B> <B>log</B>); these days actors, musicians, and, yes, even politicians are getting into the act.
The digital audio genie was released two decades ago, before the music industry imagined any need to restrict how music files on a compact disc might be used. The last few years, however, have seen myriad attempts to redesign the digital audio bottle, and then shove the genie back in—with limited success.
Nobody would claim that Web radio sounds great, but sometimes you can't beat the Internet for variety and convenience. Do you ever listen to online "radio"?
<B>CHRIS STAMEY: <I>Travels In the South</I></B><BR>
Yep Roc 2033 (CD). 2004. Chris Stamey, Jefferson Holt, prods.; Don Dixon, Greg Elkins, prods., engs.; Tim Harper, Brian Paulson, John Plymale, Wes Lachot, Logan Matheny, Dan Korneff, engs. AAD. TT: 52:30<BR>
Performance <B>****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>***</B>
I recently came across a 1998 report, "<A HREF="http://www.conference-board.org/publications/describe.cfm?id=398">Expla… the Computer Productivity Paradox</A>," by Kevin Stiroh and Robert H. McGuckin III, that discussed the apparent fact that the widespread use of computers has not resulted in any significant increase in worker productivity. This is indeed a paradox, as my experience in the magazine business has left me with the opposite impression. We all do more, with less, than at any earlier time.
<I>All the world, even you<BR>Should learn to love the way I do</I>—Bryan Ferry, "Take a Chance with Me"
Leaving aside for a moment the fact that the Wavac SH-833 costs $350,000/pair—
XM on a roll: Recent marketing efforts appear to be paying off for XM Satellite Radio. On July 2, the satellite radio startup announced that it had exceeded the 2.1-million subscriber mark during the second quarter. More than 418,000 new subscribers signed up during that period—over twice the number recruited in the same quarter last year. XM-compatible products are appearing at an ever-increasing number of retail outlets, leading some observers to believe that the company may have a fighting chance in the long run.
Audiophiles of every stripe know that achieving a realistic soundstage is maddeningly elusive—some would say impossible. When a system is right for some recordings, it's far off for others.