News Roundup: 10/20/2009
October 20th, 2009 | 1:14 pm est |
“Russian Roulette,” the lead single from Rihanna’s upcoming Rated R (and her first solo single since the now-infamous encounter with Chris Brown on February 8th), debuted this morning on the singer’s website. The moody ballad was written and produced by Ne-Yo, whose longstanding partnership with Rihanna has already yielded a number of singles, including “Unfaithful” and “Take A Bow.” [RollingStone.com]
Record label executives are championing a new measure called “The Jackson Clause,” which would allow labels to suspend substance-addicted artists until they seek treatment. Marc Marot, the former head of Island Records, expects the clause will encounter much opposition from the artistic community, which has a long and storied history of self-medication. [Spinner.com]
U2 has partnered with YouTube to stream the band’s Sunday evening performance at the Rose Bowl. The sold-out show marks the penultimate performance of U2’s 360° Tour, which broke attendance records in most of the venues it visited. Tune in at 8:30 p.m. PST to catch the concert. [U2.com]
Madonna’s neighbor is suing the company that manages the building in which both residents live, claiming that Madonna’s “habit of rehearsing with loud music” creates distracting vibrations in the building’s walls. Karen George, who lives directly above Madonna in an Upper West Side apartment co-op, first logged a complaint in 2008. [Reuters.com]
Girls Aloud vocalist Cheryl Cole may score the U.K.’s highest-selling single of the year with “Fight for This Love,” her solo debut. The song’s accompanying album, 3 Word, is released next week. [Guardian.co.uk]
Kings of Leon are the new subjects of a photo exhibition in a London gallery. NME photographer Jo McCaughey will supply all pictures for “Kings Of Leon: Ten Year Reign,” which launches tomorrow and runs until December 6th at Camden’s Proud Galleries. [NME.com]
Beach House will release Teen Dream, the duo’s debut for Sub Pop, in January 2010. In other album news, MGMT has announced the title of its upcoming sophomore release — Congratulations — and the Eels have unveiled cover art and track names for the upcoming End Times.
Thank you for using “penultimate” correctly.
How else do people use “penultimate”?
Other people use penultimate when they mean ultimate.
I’m in favor of the Jackson clause. I get fired if substance abuse affects my job, the same should be true of performers. I say this with full awareness of the long history of alcohol and drug abuse in the music industry. If you miss recording sessions or fall down on stage, it’s gone too far. I also say this despite being in favor of legalizing drugs. There’s a difference between use and abuse. I realize that it could have prevented many great albums from being created, especially during the Sixties, but hope that it can be used judiciously.
you can write with magic marker if you want, heck-fire, you can even use crayons.. but ME, I find that PEN ULTIMATE!