Archives for July 2008

How The Bootleg Series 8 Will Lead to More Bob Dylan Piracy

July 31, 2008 by Jim Connelly

So first, the good news, courtesy of the A.V. Club: Bob Dylan is putting out The Bootleg Series Vol 8.

This one — subtitled Tell Tale Signs — concentrates on rare and unreleased music from 1989 – 2006, and can actually be seen as a companion to the very first Bootleg Series, especially since one of the songs on Tell Tale Signs is another version of “Series of Dreams,” one of the more talked-about tracks from that first collection, put out nearly 20 years ago.

It probably goes without saying that I love Dylan’s Bootleg Series discs, even if they contain songs I’ve already heard, because not only is the quality top-notch, there are always surprises. I’m very much looking forward to discovering what this one has in store. Best of all, as anybody who has the Genuine Basement Tapes knows, there’s always more where that came from.

Yet, this time, there is a problem.

The Daily Loper – July 30, 2008

July 30, 2008 by Lopy

There’s Always Other Boys Edition

Todays links of interest:

Does your house need a tail? Sizing up customer-owned fiber
Some lucky home owners in Ottawa have an opportunity to buy the fiber running into their homes. After that, they can buy internet access from anyone they want — not just the local telco or cable company.
The Middleman: Last Night’s Middleman Was A Shipper’s Dream
You should be watching this show. Seriously. Ignore the fact that it’s on ABC Family — the same way you ignored the fact that "Mad Men" was on AMC — and try it. It’s hilarious. "Middleman!!"
World’s First Computer Displayed Olympic Calendar
And, by all accounts, it worked better than Windows Vista.

The Daily Loper – July 29, 2008

July 29, 2008 by Lopy

Stuck in Ybor City With The Memphis Blues Again Edition

Todays links of interest:

Bob Dylan Gathers 1989-2006 Rarities on New Set
Yes!! While the tracklist is a bit heavy on Oh Mercy outtakes as opposed to "Love and Theft" outtakes, we’re already looking forward to this. And figuring out a way to get the third disc without paying 100 extra dollars.
‘Mad Men’ premiere a strong draw
This is very good news: a ton of hype works for high-quality entertainment as well. However, we’re only cautiously optimistic, as the bigger question is how many people stick with it.
Winehouse Hospitalized, Released After Adverse Reaction to Drugs
Wouldn’t you pretty much characterize the last year of Amy Winehouse’s life as an "adverse reaction to drugs?"

Earthquake!!!

July 29, 2008 by Jim Connelly

So, you might have noticed that we just had a 5.4 earthquake here in Southern California, where Medialoper HQ is located. I was standing in line at a burger joint near the corner San Vicente and La Brea when I noticed the shaking. Or actually, since I was — as usual — lost in my own head, I first noticed other people noticing the shaking.

I thought, “hey, earthquake.”

When you’ve lived in California all of your life you — well, “get used to” is probably a bit strong — tend to get dispassionate in the first few seconds of a quake. What you’re doing is measuring it, doing the math, trying to figure out if it’s actually the BIG ONE, or nearly as bad, a Big One. What you’re doing, of course, is the Richter Scale math.

[Read more…] about Earthquake!!!

The Daily Loper – July 28, 2008

July 28, 2008 by Lopy

Big Sketchy Mess Edition

Todays links of interest:

Richard Branson unveils his space plane
Space plane!!!!!
MST3K Comic-Con Reunion (1 of 6)
It goes without saying that neither the sound or the picture of this posted-to-YouTube vid of last week’s reunion of the people behind what might be the funniest TV Show ever is all that great. Does it even matter?
A bookmark for the iPod
File Under: Useful Tips. Trust us, this is good stuff.

The Daily Loper – July 25, 2008

July 25, 2008 by Lopy

I’m In Love With My Anxiety Edition

Todays links of interest:

Here We Go Again: Yahoo! Music Throws Away the DRM Keys
You know, this story is getting sort of old. It’s safe to assume that every (and I mean EVERY) DRM system will stop working at some point.
STARTREK.COM
Still dead, though I have my choice of clicking on one ad promising me that the AAA can save me money on auto insurance, and another ad promising me that State Farm can save me money on auto insurance. Yes, they are officially so lame that the desperate attempt to monetize the no-doubt dwindling traffic has resulted in two competing ads for the exact same product. Nice one, CBS Digital!!
The A-11; Wave Of The Future, Or Satan’s Offense?
Finally! Somebody’s figured out a way to institute the classic "everybody go long" strategy into organized football.

25 Musical Moments To Die For

July 25, 2008 by Jim Connelly

You can talk about genres, artists, albums, or even songs, but sometimes what keeps us coming back to music is the discovery of the transcendent musical moment. For me, “the moment” is the part of the song that fully and utterly engages me; the reason that I keep coming back to it.

I’m not necessarily talking about hooks here, because the purpose of hooks is the draw you into a song. I’m really talking more about traps: the part of a song that that keeps you there.

Every single moment I’ve listed below kills me single every time I hear it.

25 Musical Moments to Die For, Pt 2

July 25, 2008 by Jim Connelly

NOTE: Because of a godsdammed bug between Flash and Firefox for Windows, I’ve had to break this up into two parts in order for the players to work for those with that particular configuration. Stupid internets.

The Daily Loper – July 24, 2008

July 24, 2008 by Lopy

Sometimes Actresses Get Slapped Edition

Todays links of interest:

Hasbro Orders Facebook to Remove ‘Scrabulous’
How is Hasbro so idiotic that they don’t understand that the mere fact of Scrabulous has made the entire concept of Scrabble relevant to a whole new generation who just might buy the board game in order to play in in a F2F situation? We can only hope that if they succeed, nobody installs the replacement, and real-life Scrabble sales plummet.
‘Denver Post’ and ‘Pioneer Press’ To Run ‘Politico’ Coverage
Interesting model and maybe a good one for newspapers who can’t afford dedicated reporters in particular areas of interest.
Netflix exiting indie movie distribution
Reportedly because Red Envelope competed directly with the Hollywood producers who are Netflix’s business partners. Give me a break.

The Daily Loper – July 23, 2008

July 23, 2008 by Lopy

I Was A Skeptic At First, But These Miracles Worked Edition

Todays links of interest:

West Nile Virus confirmed in Porterville
It’s all part of the Virus Exchange Program: the Porterville Virus is on its way to the West Nile.
My Year Of Flops, Extra-Piratey Case File #114: Cutthroat Island
Or, "How Geena Davis’ career took a very very wrong turn."
Robert Novak Hits Pedestrian With His Black Corvette, Cited By DC Police
For the record, he was cited for being an old man driving a black Corvette. He got a pass for hitting a pedestrian and driving away. Thus proving Novak can get away with just about anything.