Okay, okay, no excuses. I'm here now, so let's just let it ride and go from here. Check out today's random ten tunes and post yer own.

• "Will It Bleed" - Sevendust


• "Show You How" - Jay-Z


• "Elderly Woman Behind a Counter In a Small Town" - Pearl Jam


• "Spacegrass" - Clutch


• "Starfuckers, Inc." - Nine Inch Nails


• "Let's Get High" - Lords of Acid


• "Picture Perfect" - Chamillionaire & Bun B


• "Kickstand" - Soundgarden


• "Better Things" - Massive Attack


• "Get Ya Mind Right" - Young Jeezy
Posted by Tom at 11:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Over at Digital Music News, they've got a story (try this if that link doesn't work) about TowerPod, the podcast music network that will offer a significant amount of music to podcasters focused on music. Props to IODA for providing the tunes, and congrats to all parties for making things work out for everyone involved (and looking to be).

Fast Company wants to know if you're buying your music on MP3s or CDs these days. Go over and vote!

I'm a full believer that there should be a "My Rating" column within iTunes for when you're viewing other people's music on a subnet, that compiles the latest ratings that anyone else who has listened to the music gives for a song. Kind of like an internal rating system, offering the ratings of multiple people, perhaps helping you decide whether or not you actually want to listen to something.

It's Friday Random Ten time, so hit shuffle, listen to some morning tune-age, and post 'em up here. Check out Rox's list while you're at it.

• "99 Problems" - Jay-Z
• "Shoot to Thrill" - AC/DC
• "Stella 99" - Jam & Spoon
• "Built This City" - Diplomats
• "I Want You" - Massive Attack (featuring Madonna)
• "Error Free" - Crude Infinity
• "25" - Veruca Salt
• "Ego Trippin' 99" - Kool Keith & Motion
• "Tonight Is the Night" - La Bouche
• "Ravers = Burnouts" - Loop Machine

[ed: and for those of you who haven't seen them before, the hyperlinked songs are those which exist in the iTunes music store, and those are affiliate links that earn some coin (pronounced kwan, natch) for TMD]

Yeah, yeah, it's been awhile, but it's time to do this anyway. Here's my random ten from this morning. Make sure you check out Rox's, and post your own.

• "Strawberry Fields Forever" - John Lennon
• "Tryin' To See Another Day" - The Isley Brothers
• "Don't Stop '99" - ATB
• "Overnight Celebrity" - Twista
• "Just Like This" - Limp Bizkit
• "Say Goodbye" - Dave Matthews Band
• "Fury" - Baby Anne
• "What Up Wit It" - Chingy
• "Sunshine (Take U There)" - Kay Cee
• "Fight Fire With Fire" - Kansas
Posted by Tom at 12:12 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Reuters informs on Saturday that Jay-Z is looking to create a new sub-label within the Def Jam family. The "code name" for the project is "Def Jam Left," according to Billboard.

Last night, I wasn't watching to the Katrina rescue concert on NBC, but I heard this morning that Kanye West made quite an impression on those watching when he went "off script" during his segment with Mike Myers. Somehow or other I missed it, probably by getting engrossed in some college football on ESPN, followed by SportsCenter and a bunch of that fare. When I got a call from a friend this morning informing me of it, he seemed almost surprised I hadn't heard about it - but alas, I had yet to turn on my laptop, Labor Day weekend and all.

It didn't take long to dig up the story - or video - on the situation, nor commentary from all walks of life. The WaPo's Lisa de Moraes described West as looking "nervous" prior to saying what he said on-air, which was pretty much concluded with "George Bush doesn't care about black people!" Everything de Moraes writes is completely factual - you can see it all through the links that Jay Smooth has up at hiphopmusic.com.

I don't even want to begin the debate of what our government thinks or doeasn't think here, but I must say that I'm not surprised that something like this happened at last night's event. Between some of the frustrations coming out during reporter interviews from various southern cities that are affected and various conversations I've had online and off, I believe that some of the sentiments West stated out loud are held elsewhere - but those people don't necessarily have that loud of a microphone. If anything, his actions are surely a precursor to more angst and future public persons getting their say.

Like the DJs quoted in this article, I don't expect this to become some sort of overnight sensation - but as the Cincinnati Enquirer's Lauren Bishop reports, acting as your own deejay at a wedding or other social event isn't totally unheard of. Bishop's story includes details about a couple who have "invested" in a new iPod, and are creating a playlist for the reception, which is relatively small - but that's not the point.

Has the "new media" trend of MP3 players becoming so mainstream changed life in such a way where your wedding won't have a tuxedoed guy making jokes and dancing with your cute cousin - or is it all just hokey?

It's been a while, but it's a good time to get back into the swing of things with the Friday Random Ten. After you check out this one, head on over to Rox's place and then post your own!

1. "Better" - Helmet
2. "Pimp On" - Twista featuring 8 Ball & Too Short
3. "Obsession" - Kylie Minogue
4. "Sunshine (Take U There)" - Kay Cee
5. "All Night" - Pearl Jam
6. "Bad Boy Boogie" - AC/DC
7. "Crescendolls" - Daft Punk
8. "New Skin" - Methods of Mayhem featuring Kid Rock
9. "Dissolved Girl" - Massive Attack
10. "Let Me Know" - Cam'ron

Interested in getting free tix and residence at the upcoming Coachella music festival (April 30-May 1) in Long Beach, California? Details and link to the entry form found over at the fuseblog.

Oh, and if you need info about gigs coming along pre-clickthrough, the names Weezer, Chemical Brothers, Wilco, Keane, Jean Grae, NIN, and Roni Size are just a few.

Remember FIQL, the online playlist site mentioned a few weeks back? Well, in addition to having a ton of music compilations by the site's users, they've added some editorial to the site to add to the user experience. Check out Robert Burke's "Desert Island" playlist and discussion, which will surely create some commentary by the site's visitors.

Michele's banged out a Saturday night playlist, and I'm game for that. Here's the last 15 tracks I've listened to.

Post yours in the comments or on your own blog.

"Anger Management" - Methods of Mayhem
"Stan" - Eminem featuring Dido
"I Remember You" - Skid Row
"Like A Pimp" - David Banner & Lil' Flip
"Ground Zero" - Crude Infinity
"Hazy Shade of Winter" - Bangles
"Protection" - Massive Attack
"Obsession" - Kylie Minogue
"Bad News" - 50 Cent
"I Ain't tha One" - N.W.A.
"What You Are" - Audioslave
"High Life" - Counting Crows
"Why?" - Jadakiss & Anthony Hamilton
"Such Great Heights" - The Postal Service
"Get Down" - Everlast

If you're a bigtime audiophile who has a stack 'o' playlists and mixtapes/cds sitting around, and are always looking for a new mix of songs or trying to track down some new songs to download, then FIQL.com might be the place for you.

Yep, it's pronounced "fickle," and it's a free spot to not only post your own playlists, but to see those of others. FIQL's revenue stream appears to be with their pointers (next to each and every song in a playlist) to iTunes, Wal-mart, and MSN's music stores, with logos showing whether that song is available on each service.

[ed: if you're interested, I've begun posting some playlists under the username 'tmd']

It's Friday Random Ten time. Bust out your mp3 player - hell, bust out your turntable if you wish - play ten random songs (a little hard on the turntable, I know), and post 'em either in the comments or on your own blog. Check Rox for more.

1. "Get Naked" - Methods of Mayhem
2. "Beatnuts Forever" - Beatnuts
3. "Someday, Somewhere" - BoA
4. "B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)" - Genius/GZA
5. "Be My Lover" - La Bouche
6. "Home" - Sheryl Crow
7. "The Foundation" - Thievery Corporation
8. "Scouting Party" - The Moose
9. "Fall Into You" - Soulstice
10. "Woo Hoo" - The 5.6.7.8's

Well, it's Friday Random Ten time yet again - if you don't know the rules, then here you go: Get your MP3 player, hit shuffle, and post the first ten songs that come up. And visit Rox to see hers when you're done - you know you want to.

1. "You've Lost Your Heart (at Filterpark)" - one eighthundred-def
2. "Fire" - Blowup.
3. "VGirls" - VXpanded
4. "Milk It" - Nirvana
5. "Four Leave Clover" - Abra Moore
6. "Only One" - Yellowcard
7. "Glass Danse" - The Faint
8. "Get Started" - The X-Ecutioners
9. "Diving Faces" - Liquid Child
10. "Flipside" - Freeway & Peedi Crakk

I don't think it's just me, but one segment of guitar in Modest Mouse's "Ocean Breathes Salty" sounds eerily similar to a small piece of "One on One" by Daryl Hall & John Oates.

You can hear the Modest Mouse sample here if you have iTunes - the section comes up around 0:14.

Or, it could just be me.

Billboard's Brian Garrity covers the deal between EMI Music Publishing and Sony BMG Music Entertainment wherein the companies have set price "guidelines" for methods of music delivery, such as ringtones. The most important part of the article, however, is:

The deal also figures to help Sony BMG and EMI Music Publishing in their own in-house negotiations for digital rights with sister companies.

Set an example, and work from there. It's a lot easier than starting fresh case-by-case. Unfortunately, it also limits your potential revenues, because the writing is on the wall.

Anil Dash posts about Friday's announcement that Apple's iTunes will now accept PayPal for purchases.

If you're interested in changing your current payment option in the iTunes software, simply click on "Music Store" in the menu, then click on your "Account" on the right-hand side. After entering your account password, click on "Edit Credit Card" [ed: which should now read "Edit Payment Method" or something], select PayPal, and verify it for your account.

This is excellent news!

It's Friday Random Ten time again.... Grab your mp3's, shuffle 'em up, and let 'em rip.

1. "Quiet Storm" - Alex Gopher
2. "Tryin To See Another Day" - The Isley Brothers
3. "Role Model" - Helmet
4. "It's Alright" - Tracie Spencer
5. "Have You Seen Her" - Hey Kid Nice Robot
6. "Life of a New Outlaw" - 2Pac
7. "Pts.of.athrty" - Linkin Park (Jay Gordon remix)
8. "Cadillac on 22's" - David Banner
9. "Games People Play" - The Alan Parsons Project
10."Ha" - Juvenile & Hot Boyz

And check out Roxanne's list while you're at it.

Well, I just didn't get around to doing this on Friday, but it's a ritualistic kinda thing, so here goes. Break out your mp3 player or software, and post the first ten songs that come up.

1. "Here Comes The Rain Again" - Eurythmics
2. "Dirty Day" - U2
3. "No Problem" - Lil' Scrappy
4. "Furious Angels" - Rob Dougan
5. "Everytime - Hi Bias Radio Mix" - Britney Spears
6. "Go DJ" - Lil' Wayne
7. "The Nocturnal Is In The House" - P.M. Dawn
8. "Heat Miser" - Massive Attack
9. "Sanctified" - Nine Inch Nails
10. "Down Payment Blues" - AC/DC

And when you're done, go check out Rox's list - she posts hers on time at least.

Well, I saw that Rolling Stone was publishing their "Top 500" songs of all time, so I figured I would work up my own, but just didn't get around to it. Then, I saw Michele had started posting hers, and knew I had to get on the ball. These are *my* thoughts on the best 1,000 songs, as per those I've actually ever heard without just listening to them for the purpose of this exercise. Trash 'em, bash 'em, make a suggestion or seven, whatever.

It's a work in progress and here it goes - in no particular order, at least at the moment.

1. "Black" - Pearl Jam
2. "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" - Beastie Boys
3. "Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns 'N' Roses
4. "Fuck tha Police" - N.W.A.
5. "Don't You Forget About Me" - Simple Minds
6. "Hell's Bells" - AC/DC
7. "Rapture" - Blondie
8. "The Reflex" - Duran Duran
9. "Mexican Radio" - Wall of Voodoo
10. "Slam" - Onyx
11. "Love Bites" - Def Leppard
12. "I Can't Drive (55)" - Sammy Hagar
13. "Killing in the Name Of" - Rage Against the Machine
14. "Runaround Sue" - Dion
15. "You Really Got Me" - Kinks
16. "Hang on Sloopy" - The McCoys
17. "In Bloom" - Nirvana
18. "Sloop John B." - Beach Boys
19. "Light My Fire" - The Doors
20. "Somebody to Love" - Jefferson Airplane
21. "Reflections" - The Supremes
22. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
23. "Such Great Heights" - The Postal Service
24. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding
25. "Proud Mary" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
26. "A Boy Named Sue" - Johnny Cash
27. "Where My Girls At" - 702
28. "Ice Cream" - Sarah McLachlan
29. "You Make Me Wanna" - Usher
30. "No Diggity" - Blackstreet & Dr. Dre
31. "Just a Girl" - No Doubt
31. "Waterfalls" - TLC
32. "Insane in the Brain" - Cypress Hill
33. "When Doves Cry" - Prince
34. "Like a Virgin" - Madonna
35. "Like a Prayer" - Madonna
36. "End of the Road" - Boyz II Men
37. "Faith" - George Michael
38. "3 A.M Eternal" - The KLF
39. "Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams
40. "Wind of Change" - Scorpions
41. "I Want a New Drug" - Huey Lewis & the News
42. "Wicked Game" - Chris Isaak
43. "Poison" - Bell Biv DeVoe
44. "Pump Up the Jam" - Technotronic
45. "Enjoy the Silence" - Depeche Mode
46. "Love Shack" - The B-52's
47. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" - Poison
48. "Buffalo Stance" - Neneh Cherry
49. "Even Flow" - Pearl Jam
50. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana
51. "18 and Life" - Skid Row
52. "Need You Tonight" - INXS
53. "Send the Pain Below" - Chevelle
54. "Seasons Change" - Expose
55. "Thriller" - Michael Jackson
56. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson
57. "Beat It" - Michael Jackson
58. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" - Def Leppard
59. "Mickey" - Toni Basil
60. "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
61. "Wait" - White Lion
62. "Nothin' but a Good Time" - Poison
63. "I Want Your Sex" - George Michael
64. "Tell It To My Heart" - Taylor Dayne
65. "Devil Inside" - INXS
66. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - Bobby McFerrin
67. "Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor
68. "Walk Like An Egyptian" - The Bangles
69. "Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi
70. "Everyboy Have Fun Tonight" - Wang Chung
71. "With or Without You" - U2
72. "The Lady In Red" - Chris DeBurgh
73. "Heat to Toe" - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
74. "I Think We're Alone Now" - Tiffany
75. "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" - Cutting Crew
76. "We Didn't Start the Fire" - Billy Joel
77. "Luka" - Suzanne Vega
78. "The Final Countdown" - Europe
79. "Wanted Dead or Alive" - Bon Jovi
80. "Cumbersome" - Seven Mary Three
81. "I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor
82. "Kyrie" - Mr. Mister
83. "Addicated to Love" - Robert Palmer
84. "Higher Love" - Steve Winwood
85. "Sledgehammer" - Peter Gabriel
86. "You Give Love a Bad Name" - Bon Jovi
87. "Two of Hearts" - Stacey Q
88. "Word Up!" - Cameo
89. "Funky Cold Medina" - Tone Loc
90. "Take on Me" - a-ha
91. "Cherish" - Kool & The Gang
92. "Parents Just Don't Understand" - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
93. "Heaven" - Bryan Adams
94. "Raspberry Beret" - Prince
95. "Footloose" - Kenny Loggins
96. "Missing You" - John Waite
97. "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper
98. "Sister Christian" - Night Ranger
99. "Caribbean Queen" - Billy Ocean
100. "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This" - Eurythmics
101. "She Blinded Me With Science" - Thomas Dolby
102. "I Knew I Loved You" - Savage Garden
103. "Back in Black" - AC/DC
104. "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns 'N' Roses
105. "Heaven is a Place on Earth" - Belinda Carlisle
106. "Dancing With Myself" - Billy Idol
107. "Epic" - Faith No More
108. "Cars" - Gary Numan
109. "Open Arms" - Journey
110. "Dust In The Wind" - Kansas
111. "99 Luftballoons" - Nena
112. "25 or 6 to 4" - Chicago
113. "Piano Man" - Billy Joel
114. "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" - Billly Joel
115. "White Wedding" - Billy Idol
116. "Me and Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin
117. "Big Yellow Taxi" - Joni Mitchell
118. "Carolina In My Mind" - James Taylor
119. "Mexico" - James Taylor
120. "Kodachrome" - Paul Simon
121. "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" - Paul Simon
122. "Cecilia" - Paul Simon
123. "Look Away" - Chicago
124. "Stay the Night" - Chicago
125. "Love Song" - Tesla
126. "Johnny B. Goode" - Chuck Berry
127. "Cats in the Cradle" - Harry Chapin
128. "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" - The Four Seasons
129. "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" - Rupert Holmes
130. "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" - The Penguins
131. "Build Me Up Buttercup" - The Foundations
132. "Celebration" - Kool & The Gang
133. "Omaha" - Counting Crows
134. "New York, New York" - Frank Sinatra
135. "Born to Run" - Bruce Springsteen
136. "Runaway" - Del Shannon
137. "Centerfield" - John Fogerty
138. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - Judy Garland
139. "Home Sweet Home" - Motley Crue
140. "Time in a Bottle" - Jim Croce
141. "Ring of Fire" - Johnny Cash
142. "Panama" - Van Halen
143. "Crazy Train" - Ozzy Osbourne
144. "Crazy" - Seal
145. "Last Kiss" - J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers
146. "Donna" - Richie Valens
147. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" - Aerosmith
148. "Walk This Way" - Aerosmith & Run D.M.C.
149. "Cryin'" - Aerosmith
150. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" - Peter, Paul & Mary
151. "Desperado" - The Eagles
152. "Cherry Pie" - Warrant
153. "Scenario" - A Tribe Called Quest
154. "Volcano" - Jimmy Buffett
155. "Copacabana (At the Copa)" - Barry Manilow
156. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" - Rolling Stones
157. "Layla" - Derek & The Dominoes
158. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - Righteous Brothers
159. "Bad Moon Rising" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
160. "American Pie" - Don McLean
161. "Lean on Me" - Bill Withers
162. "Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
163. "Little Deuce Coupe" - Jan & Dean
164. "Red Red Wine" - UB40
165. "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Gordon Lightfoot
166. "My Heart Will Go On" - Celine Dion
167. "Under the Boardwalk" - The Drifters
168. "In the Still of the Night" - The Five Satins
169. "No Woman No Cry" - Bob Marley
170. "Mr. Roboto" - Styx
171. "Twilight Zone" - Golden Earring
172. "Sultans of Swing" - Dire Straits
173. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
174. "Plush" - Stone Temple Pilots
175. "I Shot the Sheriff" - Bob Marley
176. "Who's Holding Donna Now" - DeBarge
177. "The Choice Is Yours" - Black Sheep
178. "I Want You Back" - Jackson 5
179. "Dancing Queen" - ABBA
180. "Take a Chance on Me" - ABBA
181. "Heartbreaker" - Pat Benatar
182. "Love Is a Battlefield" - Pat Benatar
183. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" - Simple Minds
184. "Toy Soldiers" - Martika
185. "What I Am" - Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
186. "In Da Club" - 50 Cent
187. "Get Busy" - Sean Paul
188. "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac
189. "Fade Into You" - Mazzy Star
190. "Baba O'Riley" - The Who
191. "Eminence Front" - The Who
192. "Don't Know Why" - Norah Jones
193. "Black No. 1" - Type O Negative
194. "Piggy" - Nine Inch Nails
195. "Song 2" - Blur
196. "Our House" - Madness
197. "Drop the Bass" - DJ Magic Mike
198. "At This Moment" Billy Vera
199. "Closer To Fine" - Indigo Girls
200. "Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos" - Public Enemy
201. "Bring the Noise" - Public Enemy
202. "Head Like a Hole" - Nine Inch Nails
203. "White Lines (Don't Do It)" - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five w. Melle Mel
204. "My Philosphy" - BDP
205. "How I Could Just Kill A Man" - Cypress Hill
206. "My Mind Playin' Tricks On Me" - Geto Boys
207. "Don't Know What (Til It's Gone)" - Cinderella
208. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
209. "Mr. Zebra" - Tori Amos
210. "Ridin' Spinners" - Three 6 Mafia
211. "Jealousy" - Keoki
212. "U.N.I.T.Y." - Queen Latifah
213. "Cold Beverage" - G. Love & Special Sauce
214. "It's Gonna Be Me" - *NSYNC
215. "Bye Bye Bye" - *NSYNC
216. "O.P.P." - Naughty By Nature
217. "Plenty" - Sarah McLachlan
218. "Sweet Surrender" - Sarah McLachlan
219. "Angel" - Pearl Jam
220. "Hunger Strike" - Temple of the Dog
221. "Higher Ground" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
222. "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" - P.M. Dawn

The Associated Press has details on the passing of Terry Melcher, producer and songwriter for bands like the Beach Boys and singer Bob Dylan. He died Saturday at age 62.

Well, I'm a slacker, but I finally flipped all the songs on my iPod, after leaving them there for awhile. Much better now. Let the music commence!

1. "Get Your Roll On" - Big Tymers
2. "Heat of the Moment" - Asia
3. "Underground Tactics" - Heltah Skeltah
4. "Mixtress" - DJ Baby Anne (thanks, Mark!)
5. "Breathe" - Fabolous
6. "Dammit" - Blink 182
7. "It's a Fine Day" - Miss Jane
8. "You Don't Have To Be Strong" - Breanna
9. "Word Up!" - Korn
10. "Bittersweet" - Hoodoo Gurus

Now check out Rox's list and then post your own!

At PopMatters, Devon Powers deconstructs the world of music journalism. Or, more specifically, today's world of music journalism. This brings about a curious situation, however, as music that was previously perceived as "independent" or "underground" is now, in a way, mainstream. Groups - hell, sounds - that wouldn't have made any majority's radar screen five years ago are now all over the place, from commercials to video games to your kid sister's compact disc iPod.

While music journalism as an institution and the indie rock genre is in many ways better off losing its contrarianism and opening its arms to more listeners, 2004 marks a sea change during which the term "indie rock" should perhaps finally be put to rest. It's not just the blurring of the lines between independent and major labels, not just the appearance of certain acts on Clear Channel radio, not just the increasing popularity of artists and sounds which only a few years ago would have been widely deemed alien and crass. It is that, for a good band, it is increasingly difficult to remain obscure. Recording songs, in some ways, has become just another means of sending a press release, for once that music ends up on the Internet, it belongs to the world.

But here lies the question. Does this prove that the music journalist, the one who has strived (strove?) for so long to preach his or her beliefs of the excellence of "that band I heard on x college station," was right all along? Or, does it just adhere to a theory that have some have discussed (and is a favorite between myself and a music-snob friend of mine) that it doesn't pay to be a music elitist any longer? The Internet has all but destroyed the wall between obscurity and 15 minutes of fame. So I ask again - was the critic right all along, or are the darlings of Pop / Top 40 radio merely there because they happened to get listened to by people who don't necessarily "get it" (whatever 'it' is) but happen to dig a song here or there if it's got a cool beat that they can get down to?

The Denver Post's Ricardo Baca informs us that Clear Channel Communications' concert arm, Clear Channel Entertainment, has removed its name from "local outposts" recently. Example: if a concert promoter in Miami, Florida had been purchased by CCE in the past, it had been rebranded with the Clear Channel name. That has been reversed, in a move that the company says is "an effort to give more control to local operations." But not everyone agrees that there isn't another motive behind the change.

On Monday, Sarah McBride reported in the Wall Street Journal that Evan Harrison, AOL music & radio chief, had taken a position at Clear Channel Communications, where he will be in charge of online radio.

Looking to get into listening to podcasting but aren't so much interested in spoken word works? Well, then IndieFeed is for you. Set yourself up with iPodder and iTunes if you haven't already, grab some feeds, and knock yourself out. Your feeds will regularly download with mp3s of independent artists from a variety of genres, with more on the way. The best part is that you can "suggest" additional independent artists that would benefit from the promotion on IndieFeed.

My own "complaint" would be that there needs to be some way of linking to the artist - right now, the "Album" field in iTunes is filled with "www.indiefeed.com" which is fine, as they are serving up the feeds - but there's no way for me to further investigate the artist in one step. Sure, any available URL is mentioned in the audio portion of the 'cast, but you would have to listen to it again to find the website - or look them up in a search engine. It'd be nice to have it in a textual form in the mp3 player - just my two cents.

Check this service out, it's well worth it, IMHO.

[via Mediaburn]

It's time for the weekly Friday Random Ten. And in honor of the horrible driving I experienced this morning, here's my "I Hate Commuting" Edition.

1. "Stop This World" - Diana Krall
2. "Nights On Java" - Ian Van Dahl
3. "More or Less" - Shyne
4. "Even Flow" - Pearl Jam
5. "Blue Lines" - Massive Attack
6. "C'mon C'mon" - The Von Bondies
7. "On Fire" - Lloyd Banks & Eminem
8. "Goodnight Moon" - Shivaree
9. "Will I Ever" - Alice Deejay
10. "Oh Word?" - Beastie Boys

Check out Rox's list and then post your own!

Well, for all of my friends and blogging compatriots that have made their way out to California for BloggerCon III, it's still Friday - so I'm not late, technically. Needless to say, here it is.

1. "In a Big Country" - Big Country
2. "Don't Stop 99" - ATB
3. "God's Dice" - Pearl Jam
4. "Protection" - Massive Attack
5. "Give It" - Helmet
6. "Calm Like a Bomb" - Rage Against the Machine
7. "3 To The Dome" - Big Daddy Kane
8. "Shazam!" - Beastie Boys
9. "Gangsta Gangsta" - N.W.A.
10. "Points of Authority" - Linkin Park

And make sure you check out Rox's list, too!

The FUSE blog points out that the newest EA racing effort, Need For Speed Underground 2, will contain an interesting mix of old and new - and that's only in one song. As it turns out, Snoop Dogg has a cover of The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" on the game's 26-song soundtrack. He'll be performing the song on November 6 on Spike TV.

It's time for this week's Friday Random Ten, "Day off from work" edition. Make sure you check out Rox's entry as well, and post yours!

1. "Lemon" - U2
2. "Fear (Hybrid's Super Collider Mix)" - Sarah McLachlan
3. "Break It Down Again" - Tears for Fears
4. "Made You Look" - Nas
5. "Sippin' On Some Syrup" - Three 6 Mafia
6. "The Anthem" - Sway & King Tech
7. "Teenage Dope Fiend" - Flickerstick
8. "I Can See (See It In Your Eyes)" - Alice Deejay
9. "I Know There's Something Going On" - Frida
10. "Cold As Ice" - M.O.P.

As of 11:55pm Eastern on Sunday night, MTV News has yet to cover the Ashlee Simpson / "Saturday Night Live" story, at least online. Obviously they have a vested interest in people liking the singer, but that shouldn't stop them from writing about this - or featuring it on their news briefs. If they could post an item in advance of the SNL episode, then they should be on top of this, too.

[update: 10/25 4:18pm] MTV News