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And we're rolling... - 02.12.2007
this article (cut & pasted below from findlaw.com - yes, i am a dork), just about makes me vomit. yes, i'm as annoyed as anyone else with the proliferance of ipods on streets and subways - as if new yorkers really NEED another excuse to ignore each other - but this shit is nuts. in a city like new york i think we have a few more things to worry about than some moron listening to top 40 pop getting smacked by a bus. i'm sorry, but stupidity -- not preventable.
Law Would Ban IPods When Crossing Street
By MICHAEL VIRTANEN Associated Press Writer
(AP) - ALBANY, N.Y.-Walk, jog or bicycle across a New York street with an iPod plugged in your ears and you could get slapped with a $100 ticket under a new law proposed by a legislator from Brooklyn.
State Sen. Carl Kruger's bill would also outlaw the use of cell phones, Blackberries, video games or other electronic devices when crossing the street.
He cited the death of a 21-year-old man who was listening to music when he stepped off a curb and was hit by a bus in Brooklyn in September, and the death of a 23-year-old iPod listener last month.
"If you're so involved in your electronic device that you can't see or hear a car coming, this is indicative of a larger problem that requires some sort of enforcement beyond the application of common sense," Kruger said.
Jason Koppel, Kruger's chief of staff, said listeners would merely have to pull the earphones out for the few seconds it takes to cross the street.
Kruger said the legislation would be introduced this week.
Charlotte Troisgros, 16, a Manhattan student talking on her cell phone in a crosswalk near City Hall on Wednesday, laughed and said the law may not be such a bad idea.
"You really don't pay attention. You might get hit by a car," she said.
E. Christopher Murray, a civil liberties attorney, said the proposal is excessive.
"With our schools failing, health costs out of control, and crushing property taxes, the legislature would rather play mother by legislating how we cross the street," he said. "What's next? Do you get fined if you don't look both ways?"
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And we're rolling... - 01.30.2007
So I stumbled into that lovely lower east side live music dive Arlene's Grocery last Thursday for a few (too many) pints and $8 live tunes, and much to my (delight &) surprise, the first band I laid my ears on was intoxicating. I couldn't even properly enjoy my Stella (the Budweiser of Manhattan) because my senses were too busy imbibing this fabulous pitcher of bass, harmonica, guitar and lyrical sustenance.
And just who is this strange brew? The menu read The Low Anthem, and I even ordered take out. If you have a taste for a little bluesy, folk, rock flavor - do yourself a favor and try a bite. I think you'll like. |
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And we're rolling... - 01.23.2007
According to this article, indie labels from countries all over the world have joined together signing up to a non-profit licencing agency called Merlin, which will negotiate on their (collective) behalf in the digital music market, essentially creating a unified indie alternative to the major labels and putting them on the same playing ground to distribute indie music through digital outlets. This means you'll be much more likely to find even obscure indie talent on sites such as Napster and iTunes because now these sites won't have to spend time dealing with thousands of individual contracts for these artists from thousands of different, small indie labels -- it can all be done collectively through Merlin. Good stuff.
...In other news, although it's not clear if the ruling will stand, Italy's top criminal court decided that downloading music (as well as film and software) is not a crime if it's not done for profit. If this ruling does withstand challenges, it will be interesting to see its impact on the rest of the world. There are several international treaties and agreements throughout the world with respect to copyright protection across international borders, and Italy is party to most of them, which could give other countries (or artists in other countries - Metallica, anyone?) grounds to challenge this ruling. The article did not go into depth as to how the court reached its conclusions, but only stated that "copyright infringement" remains illegal. Hmmm... |
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| Archive |
Gomez - A New Tide Review
(04.01.2009)
British indie rockers Gomez release sixth studio album…however, it’s my first with these fellas. Did “A New Tide” compel me to keep Gomez streaming, or merely catch and release? |
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz! (Deluxe Ed.) Review
(03.19.2009)
New Yeah Yeah Yeahs album scheduled for April release leaked online in February, pushing digital release date to March 10 and in store release to March 31—should you be running out to grab this latest-“inspired by the ‘70s disco collaborations between Italian producer Giorgio Moroder and…Donna Summer, Joy Division, and, well, Karen O’s love of dancing”-album? |
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The Loved Ones - Distractions EP Review
(02.27.2009)
Philadelphia-based The Loved Ones release 6-song EP teaser for forthcoming full length album (promised in 2009). Three (originals) plus three (covers) equals… |
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The Beach Boys And The Satan DVD Review
(12.11.2008)
A Beach Boys documentary...oh, yeah, and Satan. |
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Star F*cking Hipsters - Until We’re Dead Review
(10.14.2008)
A "new" NYC punk rock collaboration is on the scene with a fierce and controversial debut...do you know the Star Fucking Hipsters? Let me make an introduction... |
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Katy Mae - You May Already Be A Winner Review
(10.10.2008)
Follow up EP to Brooklyn "alt country" band Katy Mae's 2007 debut full length album The Sweetheart Deal... |
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Bouncing Souls/Sick Of It All - Terminal 5, New York, NY - 9.19.08
(09.24.2008)
My favorite Jersey punks rock a new stage in NYC... |
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The Germs/Murphy’s Law/L.E.S. Stitches - Blender Theatre, New York, NY - 8.8.08
(08.14.2008)
Seminal L.A. punk rock band The Germs make a movie, replace a legendary singer, and go on tour... |
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The Airborne Toxic Event - Self-Titled Review
(08.09.2008)
SoCal's latest indie darlings release debut album... |
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The Airborne Toxic Event - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY - 7.31.08
(08.08.2008)
Catchy new indie rock band from LA creating quite the buzz...now I understand why. |
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Band of Horses - The Filling Station - Bozeman, Montana 11.17.07
(11.30.2007)
Sub Pop's latest indie powerhouse hits up tiny Montana venue for back to back shows... |
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Anti-Flag - A Benefit For Victims Of Violent Crime Review
(10.13.2007)
Political punk rockers Anti-Flag release benefit EP after the close of their "War Sucks, Let's Party" tour and before beginning a new tour late next month and releasing a studio LP in spring 2008... |
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Against Me! - New Wave Review
(10.06.2007)
Florida punk rockers Against Me! return... |
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The Low Anthem – What The Crow Brings Review
(10.05.2007)
Contemporary folk/rock duo The Low Anthem return with their sophomore LP a year after turning heads along the East Coast with their debut album and stunning live performances. |
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Tegan & Sara - The Con Review
(10.05.2007)
Canadian twin singer/songwriters Tegan & Sara are back with a new album... |
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The Low Anthem -- 3.03.07 -- Postcrypt Coffeehouse, NYC
(03.09.2007)
This Providence, Rhode Island-based folk(ish) trio is stomping up quite a storm on the East coast - such a storm, in fact, that I braved the weather and took my chances at getting struck by lightning for setting foot inside a chapel to see these kids play the coffeehouse below. Thank God I did. |
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The Shins - Wincing the Night Away Review [2]
(01.27.2007)
The new Shins album came out January 23 and was spinning in my 'phones shortly thereafter, as one of 2007's most anticipated releases in my mind. Could my first new album of the year live up to these lofty expectations? |
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The Dears/Annuals/Pilot Speed (formerly Pilate) -- 1.19.07 -- Webster Hall, NYC
(01.26.2007)
Could The Dears live up to all of those "Best of" 2006 lists I'd seen them on? And just who are these Annuals? Pilot Speed? I had to see for myself what all this hype was about... |
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Robbers On High Street - The Fatalist & Friends Review
(01.08.2007)
Robbers On High Street's 4 track EP teaser prepares us for what's to come in the new year...hear, or steer clear? |
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Bouncing Souls -- Thursday, December 28, 2006 - Webster Hall, NYC
(01.05.2007)
The band that never grows old. I kicked on my favorite bouncing soles to carry me to my favorite Bouncing Souls once again, this time at Webster Hall in NYC as they wrapped up their Gold Tour before their final show in -- you guessed it -- Jersey. |
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SPOTLIGHTS
