web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Tag: iTunes

  • New On iTunes: The iTunes LP

    Yesterday’s “It’s Only Rock & Roll” event updated Apple fans on new iPods such as the video camera version of their Nano line, and a souped up iPod Touch. And while there were no mentions of a Beatles catalog to be found, there was an interesting update to the iTunes software that has me at least slightly intrigued.

    On Apple’s website, they are touting a new and improved version 9 of their iTunes software. Among new features like Genius iMixes and home sharing, is something they call iTunes LP.

    Here’s the copy directly from their website:

    The best thing to happen to fandom.
    The visual experience of the record album returns with iTunes LP. Download select albums and experience a beautifully designed, interactive world right in your iTunes library on a Mac or PC — many are created by the artists. While you listen to your favorite songs, you can dive into animated lyrics and liner notes, watch performance videos, view artist and band photos, and enjoy other bonus materials. And become an even bigger fan.

    One of the reasons that some folks still buy CDs rather than online music is because they feel the need to have a tangible item in their hands when laying down their money. This isn’t going to persuade those folks. However, it looks like people who want something more for their money might be interested in something like this. Marketed towards the uber-fan, the iTunes LP looks to grab a few more dollars for the artist in exchange for a deeper look into the art they are making.

    I’m definitely for a better overall music experience. But I also don’t find myself staring at my computer while listening to music. When I listen to music on my computer, it’s much more as a supplement to something else that I’m doing. I listen to music in addition to doing other things like work or clean the house or drive. I don’t imagine that I’ll listen to music while staring at the screen while animations are flying around, as well done as they may be.

    However, there must be a market for types of music fans who will enjoy this experience. Will they pay a few dollars more for the iTunes LP experience? I have to admit that I’m intrigued to probably spend a few extra dollars one time just to see what it’s all about.

  • Dear iTunes, Where’s My Blueprint 3?

    Yesterday, Money Mike let everyone know what they should’ve known, even if they didn’t know. Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 was moved up a few days to a normal Tuesday release date, away from the 9/11/09 release date, which would’ve been the 8th anniversary of his first Blueprint album.

    While I understood the meaning immediately of the release date, it still left a slightly bad taste in my mouth for him to specifically release his album on a day where thoughts should be elsewhere. I don’t know how everyone else felt originally about that, but now, it’s neither here nor there, because the album was moved up.

    Jay-Z's Blueprint 3
    Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3
    But the reason it was moved up had more to do with Def Jam putting out the first and second Blueprint albums in the store on the same day in one special package to either confuse buyers, or entice buyers to buy their special edition release, alongside Jay’s newest joint.

    However, if you go to iTunes, where I buy all of my music, the album still has the 9/11/09 release date. I pre-ordered the album beforehand and expected it to be all queued up on Tuesday morning before I went to work. I had a yearning to hear some Empire State Of Mind. But alas, that track, as well as the other tracks from the new album, are nowhere to be found.

    So iTunes, where is my Blueprint 3 and why didn’t y’all get the memo that the release date was bumped up?

    I will send Apple an e-mail and see if I get a response. If I do, I’ll let everyone know right here.

    Update: 4:25 PM Pacific

    I didn’t actually e-mail Apple, but they had a chat feature that I was able to use. In short, for whatever reason (and the nice lady didn’t know), they’re not releasing the album until Friday.

    What was funny is that when I told her that the album actually came out everywhere on Tuesday, she asked me if iTunes let me know, rather than being on the up and up in the music news. She probably didn’t have to necessarily be on the up and up when it came to music, but being that she’s doing customer service for iTunes, it’s probably a good idea to know what’s going on.

    Even though I was bothered that they simply didn’t have a clue what was going on, she did refund my pre-order money and apologized. I may still buy the album from iTunes on Friday, but I wanted the freedom to get it from the store, in case I had the chance.

    All in all, iTunes has failed me for one of the only times in my life.

  • More to Music Players Than iPods

    LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Attorney Mark Ger...
    Good rule. If you're in court, don't bring a music player and don't ask the judge to listen to Jordin Sparks. Image by Getty Images via Daylife

    One of the coolest sites catering to all music fans doesn’t have downloads.

    There are no pictures of Beyonce flashing leg, Justin flashing a grin or Janet flashing, well, having a wardrobe malfunction.

    Really useful site, Musicplayer.me covers the convergence of music and the Internet, which has nothing to do with browsers sometimes. If you didn’t know that, you will after reading one of the reviewers take apart a Twitter application or Firefox plugin synchronizing last.fm.

    The site’s management gets the tech vibe, which is nice, but really gets the music vibe too. “It’s not our policy to discourage their [the site’s reviewing team] sometimes acerbic or snarky opinions towards particular products or companies.”

    How cool is that?  That attitude is the same one Money Mike, Double G, David Middleton and the other Sonic Clash writers bring when they jump into a track, or take apart the music news or charts or just keep banging on Chris Brown for being a big dummy who deserves some county lockup time.  And if that’s too snarky for you, remember who chose the photos for the front of the site, including Ms. Rihanna in all her umbrella glory.  (AP reported today that she is looking to get back the jewelry she was wearing as they drove to the Grammys that night.    All $1.4 million worth.  Yowch!)

    Even an old dog like me learned how I could listen to Disturbia when I’m at the office and it’s still not on my iPod.  Do you know what a Tumblelog is?   Me neither until I read the site’s review on how to listen to a new music stream with a concept like Disturbia at the start  and turn a mix tape experience into an art form like nothing Pandora ever considered.

    Musicplayer.me is definitely worth a drive by.  There is far more to mobile music than iTunes and Rhapsody, but they’ll tell you all about that.

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Reblog this post [with Zemanta]