The Hippodrome

Lala.com is a store, a Last.FM clone and a CD trading service rolled into one tight package. I’ve used the service before but I eventually realized how pointless it was after a few weeks, but we’ll get to my experience with the site later. Bill Nyugen officially launched the site on June 8th, 2006 and it’s focus has been on trading CDs instead of illegally downloading mp3s. As of last year the site now also allows you to upload your own mp3s to listen to them online in case you’re not near your computer. Due to obvious legal issues, you can’t however trade mp3s with other people since Lala opted to leave the P2P aspect out.

So how does the site work? You essentially create an account and then list the CDs you want and the CDs you have. Lala then will send you a shipment of five envelopes and clamshells for shipping five CDs. Eventually you’ll receive an email about how GenericUser36 wants your old Death Cab for Cutie album. If you decide you want to trade then Lala will give you GenericUser36’s address so you can send it to him. Once he gets it, he’ll confirm that he’s received it and then you’ll get a trade credit which will allow you to receive a CD on your want list. So let’s say you wanted an old My Bloody Valentine album. You’ll get a message from Lala telling you that OtherGenericUser63 has sent you a CD and once you confirm that you’ve received it, you’ll be billed $1.75 and OtherGenericUser63 will receive a trade credit.

Lala also has a built in store where you can purchase CDs and mp3s. All of the mp3s are DRM-free which is a definite plus. Now let’s talk about my problems with Lala.

Although I was initially into the whole idea of trading CDs as a way to feel less guilty about illegally sharing and downloading music, I realize that in the end I was only giving money to Lala and not the artists. I admire Lala for an attempt at trying to change the way music is distributed and shared, but it really is just a money maker for Lala and not really the artists. For now, I think I’ll keep to downloading music and buying vinyl copies of the albums I really love.

(This post was contributed by Kyle Wallace)

From the ever churning musical furnaces of Brooklyn comes a band that’s aptly stoked. I’ve had the pleasure of following Red Sails for a few years now, so when the band inquired about an exclusive feature of their brand new tracks, I was thrilled. Red Sails live remind me of a three headed version of Tom Waits, and these new recordings complicate the effect in a very interesting way.

Tom Tierney has been turning heads for a few years (including a feature two years ago in the Boston Globe), and his DIY ethic and attention to detail have allowed him and band mates Patrick Southern and Colin Fahrner to walk a tight line between raw theatrics and compositional prowess. Completing an extensive tour last year hasn’t stopped the band from planning on hitting the road again this March, so keep yourself posted on the MySpace.

Being obsessed with different music release methods, I must also commend the band for their cleverly staggered release method. Starting with these two tracks, the band plans to release a few more every month. The next single will be called Tides/Ten Days of Sunlight. Maybe if I play my cards right each release will be on The Hippodrome, but for now, grab these two exclusives while they’re up!

Audio: River Gods
Audio: Weathervane

The Seed and The Sprawl surprisingly don’t look too cold in this video. Even the snow doesn’t stop them from playing a lovely acoustic ditty that reminds me of Nick Drake sitting in Regent’s Park, trying to figure out the track listing to Pink Moon. Unsere Kunst is a collection of videos featuring little known artists in New York, Chicago, and Berlin. More available here!

Thee Yankee Dollar play some solid twee with less whine and repetition than other synth duos. Shana Lehar lives in New York and Mike Munywoki in Texas, so it seems there’s little hope of catching these pals live. The tracks on their EP are all pleasant, but I’m most impressed with the unabashed pomp and clever lyrics of “Old Penny’s Dead,” so feast on this while you watch the Patriots eat the Chargers for lunch.

Audio: Old Penny’s Dead

Although I am technically in this band, I couldn’t let this video go unseen to the masses. Plus I had nothing to do with this particular song/video. Make sure to check out the work of my two beat-making contemporaries, B-step and Jamrod.