Couldn't agree more...
Had a post already written about this too, (good job i checked around first)
never mind.
It is a really good tune though.

Here's hoping more labels wise up and do this.

Simon
x

Heh. I do agree, wholeheartedly. In fact, I was going to write a post along these lines myself, because I got the same track sent my way this morning. I can't deny that I like the song--it's got a nice flow and catchy lyrics--but I also wouldn't be able to deny that in posting it, I would've felt a bit like a tool. So of course I would've investigated those feelings, if I'd beaten you to the post. It's a fascinating and exciting development; I might still write something about it.

It turns out that the manner in which Reprise/Warner has been generating buzz for The Secret Machines has generated some interesting buzz in its own right.

This is the inherent flaw in our sites being put on label promo lists: we're all going to get the same music.

We're working on an mp3 blog portal with wiki and discussion boards so we can avoid these types of overlaps in the future. It should be up soon (I think).

Thanks for your thoughts guys. And sorry I beat you to it.

There's nothing wrong with this as long as we keep it entirely real. If you think this sucked, but you posted it cuz WB dropped cash into your pocket, then we're screwed. As it is, this is a development to be celebrated.

Something similar happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I got an email of some music from The Mae-Shi and a request for a review - I listened to it a few times, but before I could form a valid opinion, it was up on fluxblog. If we ever get to the point where we are posting a lot of stuff that's sent to us via labels, we'll soon be no better than the radio stations. Be weary, my friends, be weary.

Yeah. My favorite part of the WB mailing was that the rep who wrote the form letter says he's a fan of my blog, which is nonsense since if he were, he'd know that I only post covers. None of the songs I've received via label reps have been covers. I wish they would send some, though, I'd be interested to see what sort of horrible crap I'd get.

And, Rachel, oh my gosh, it's leery, not "weary."

ACTUALLY, I meant "wary," so it was a spelling mistake, but I sure do feel safer now knowing the grammer police are on the case. ;)

Man, what is up with you guys!? I dont have my own mp3 blog but i like to check out mp3s on other peoples sites and at least theyre backing us and not getting pissed off. Who cares if they wrote they like your blog even though its covers and they wanted to post a normal song, its a good ass song and everyone should listen to good music, no matter what form it is.

i had a CD sent to me a couple years ago based on some concert reviews on my blog; i wasn't even posting mp3s back then. it was pretty mediocre stuff though, so i never bothered writing a review.

i suspect that the WB guy is just testing the waters. in an organization that large, there have got to be at least a couple clued in folks who realize that blogs are a way to get music out to certain demographics that they might not reach otherwise. with a band like the secret machines, it's a pretty good strategy. i don't think they'll ever be sending us the latest britney track or anything though.

i've been reading that the precious 18-34 demographic is becomingly increasingly difficult for marketers to reach. we spend more and more time on the computer and watch less TV than before (and have TiVos so we don't even see commercials when we do watch). there must be a similar problem with music. i haven't listened to commercial radio in years and i know many of my friends haven't either. the internet is becoming the preferred channel for discovering new music for us.

as long as everyone stays honest i don't have any problem with it. just mention if you got a track from a label and give it an honest review. since none of us are making money off this, all we have is our credibility. if you post garbage because the labels are paying you, readers will figure it out and go elsewhere.

ha i got the same email. and yeah if ol dude was really a fan they'd know i only ever post hip hop. i hardly think the secret machines fit nicely in between menace clan and ras kass.

i also couldn't believe they had the audacity to send the file as an attachment without my consent. that shit's taboo. if they want to send me actual promo cds, i'll gladly take those and trade them into cd game exchange, but don't clutter my inbox with your shitty major label indie rock (contradiction?)

i think there are circumstances where this is a good thing, such as when O-Dub posted that Lyrics Born/E-40 cut from quannum. But he had a longstanding relationship with a smaller indie label and, most importantly, the music was relevant to and in tune with what he usually posts.

I guess were all just writing ad copy these daze.
corporations are not honest or "real", they are only lookin' at the bottom line. blogs, like any other subculture, that has come before, are, now as always, fair game for the market. wise up..............

In being so "helpful" WB is at best getting free advertising that they would usually have to pay for. At worst they are intelligence gathering as they try to figure out how to kill competition in this new online medium.

Major labels need competition from new entrants in the music world. The crumbs that majors will spread to try to prevent that from happening are nothing next to the benefits to musicians that increased competition will bring. Don't take the crumbs.

I suppose it's no diff from major-media reviewers getting review copies of CDs. go WB for "getting it"! -- and m(fr): just keep your blogging integrity and we'll be alright ;)

i LIKE their proggy stuff.

This track is amazing!! Thanks for letting us listen to it!! I never heard these guys before, but theyre awesome. I went to their website and you can listen to a lot of ther other stuff, very cool andvery good!

Haaa, everyone still bagging on the "evil corporations" Yea, I understand what people say about large corporations, but I dont give a shit if the music is good. The Beatles were on a major label, does that mean Im not gonna listen to them, fuck no.

I agree

they sent you the mp3 via email? that sucks. and you have to host the bandwidth for the mp3? oof!

I think it's lazy and irresponsible to send out a promotional email for a band without looking at the site where you want it promoted. I'm sure they aren't sending Secret Machines promo CD's to Urban or Country radio. They shouldn't send emails to blogs that don't fit the format. It shows no respect or understanding. They also should not send mp3's. They should put it on their own server and link it in the email and invite the blogger to link to it in their posts. Why should we contend with the bandwidth? This would also give them a way to track how many people have downloaded the track which I think would be important to the label.

If a label is re-releasing old songs that fit the format of my blog I would be glad to post the track and write about it as long as they are hosting it - and no other site is posting it.

Here's a link to an article about this thread: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/16/technology/16song.html

fuck you motherfuckers are bullshit!!!!!!

"The Beatles were on a major label, does that mean Im not gonna listen to them, fuck no."

You can listen to the music without rolling over to the compay putting it out. I'm never, ever, going to pay any money to Roadrunner for some personal reasons, does not mean that I won't ever hear anything that a band signed to them plays.

when 90% of the profits from an album go to the artist, then i'll pay for music ... the recording industries are legalised mafia.

until then ... fuck them all ...

secret machines, nowhere again is a great track btw! :D

i make music of my own and i wondering how and where i can put it on the net

Hey, i just heard about this site on MTV...I'm gonna look for that band they featured..they were such cuties!!!

Allyson (16)

Hey I heard about the band too! I think thats its cool I heard part of the song on Mtv and I like it ! Cool Job ! :D

Hey i heard about the band too but i forgot the name of the band ='(

wow. being an employee of warner... and reading blogs.. i guess puzzles people.

Despite the rep of the majors.. there are still those of us who are a part of this business for one reason = we're big music fans.

if things start turning around.. it might be b/c those execs are starting to take the advice of the unerdogs they employ.

stella polaris

myspace.com

this site is bitchin?

whats the name of that band that was on MTV- man they were good

hola te

Hi all,
I really like the idea of your site, well done lads. Here in France it is very tuff indeed to get somewhere in the biz. If you happen to be a truly gifted musician, you may too even make records or play in sessions and get paid up to $40 (yeah, fourty) dollars for that and resulting sales. I would like you to take a little trip to a site by an excellent, if materially poor guy, http://www.enzo-cicala.com. Please do visit the site listen to the music and perhaps post here what you think. Many thanks for takin the time to read this, and even go to the site. You rock!

yo i have been going on this site forever now i have heard alot of bands from this site and i would like to no if any of these bands lives in florida if so i help advertise in schools and stuff i will get your band heard! i do stuff with a couple of bands not sure if you no who "hidden driveway" is or "fake problems" but i help to advertise them. if you all live in naples or close to it there is a consourt at the ridgeport pub. message me if you want to no where it is. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!

yo i have been going on this site forever now i have heard alot of bands from this site and i would like to no if any of these bands lives in florida if so i help advertise in schools and stuff i will get your band heard! i do stuff with a couple of bands not sure if you no who "hidden driveway" is or "fake problems" but i help to advertise them. if you all live in naples or close to it there is a consourt at the ridgeport pub. message me if you want to no where it is. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!