Self-proclaimed "guy that's been listening to your band faithfully since 1983" Dave Grohl has apparently sent an open letter to Metallica pleading with them to not release their new album until they're sure it's good, a rule that they haven't really been following for the past 10 years or so.
More »
Attention aspiring publicists hoping to get your up-and-coming bands name-checked in the new issue of Vanity Fair: Lisa Robinson of Vanity Fair has had it with your unsolicited promo CDs, according to an e-mail she allegedly sent out to publicists today. Why? Because looking around at piles and piles of unlistened-to CDs fills her with an existential dread about the seemingly insurmountable tidal wave of music simply in existence as of the present second? Nah, that's boring. Instead, she's going green like the magazine that employs her and asking promo companies to stop clogging her inbox in the name of the environment!
More »
The BBC has bowed to the bitching of 400 or so whiny Metallica fans who complained about the Beeb snipping the band's Live Earth performance short in favor of showing a little Crowded House. People, Lars Ulrich does not need any more encouragement in acting like an entitled asshole. 
Sam Sifton, the New York Times' culture editor, seems like a good guy, and not just because he responds to the queries in this week's reader-reply survey in cool-teacher mode. (Reader John J. Condon: "What is your explanation for the downgrading of dance coverage by The New York Times? Is the paper dumbing it down?" Sifton's reply: "Your letter bums me out, Mr. Condon.") Among the topics discussed so far: Is classical coverage declining? (No way, dude! Classical is as relevant as ever!) Why is Paris Hilton covered in Arts and Leisure? (The people can't get enough of her!) And our favorite, from none other than New Jersey assistant D.A. Peter G. O'Malley: You guys cover rap. What's up with that?!?
More »
Morrissey fans organizing "boycott" of Late Show With David Letterman over late-night host's "anti-vegetarian" "humor" during their idol's appearance. If they were real fans, they'd boycott over the air conditioning. [senorita incognito]
A music writer who was sent a promo copy of the new record by Eisley has a note for all of you music critics who get around the watermarking that makes CDs unplayable in post-1996 stereo models: The old "stick it in an old boombox that's been collecting dust for 15 years" trick doesn't work anymore!
More »
Today, this e-mail went out to people who bought tickets for Morrissey's Saturday night show at New York's Madison Square Garden—which didn't happen, thanks to the throat infection that's plagued the singer for the past week and a half (via The Music Slut):
More »
.jpg "This Year, \"American Idol\" Will Be Won By A Dude Named David (But You Knew That Already)")
Idolator
