Alternative/Punk

Radiohead calls ComScore report inaccurate

Radiohead stuck up for its fans on Friday.

The rock band denied that 62 percent of those who downloaded the group's new album paid nothing for the music.

Last month, Radiohead announced that it was releasing a digital version of the album for whatever fans wanted to pay. Internet research group, ComScore, on Monday released a report that said only 38 percent paid anything for In Rainbows.

In a statement, Radiohead's representatives called ComScore's report "wholly inaccurate."

Radiohead's pay-what-you-want offer is groundbreaking and is being watched closely by fans, music labels and other bands. … Read more

Screenwriters strike playlist

While some 12,000 TV and film screenwriters go on strike this week, people are filling the void by turning to other forms of media, such as DVDs and the Internet. Ironically, these outlets are exactly what the members of the Writers Guild want more of the profit of (and don't want people to support). They're hoping to come to an agreement soon, although the last walk out like this (in 1988) lasted for five months. Ouch.

We'll miss The Office, Desperate Housewives and Conan O'brien, but it's not the end of the world, right? … Read more

iTunes 7.5: Updated, but who cares?

Apple's omnipresent media player iTunes has quietly upgraded to version 7.5 for both Windows and Mac. There's no grand new interface, no code-scrubbing to make the Window version load quicker, and certainly no support for Linux users. There's not a lot to bother with, period, unless you're a Old World iPhone customer.

John Ralston podcast

While on tour with Vagrant Records labelmate Dashboard Confessional, John Ralston stopped by Studio C at CNET to share unplugged tracks from his latest album Sorry Vampire. He performed "Ghetto Tested," "Fragile" plus an exclusive bonus track--for all the Ralston-heads out there. Listen to tracks from the album here, and hear the podcast here.

Radiohead's new album a sequel to "OK Computer"?

To be truly legendary, a band needs a hidden message for fans to discover. The Beatles had the Paul is Dead rumor. Pink Floyd had the Dark Side of Oz.

Now, according to the indie-music blog Puddlegum, Radiohead has joined the list. Leading up to the 10/10 digital-only release date for the band's new In Rainbows album, Radiohead released cryptic messages to its fans involving the letter X (Roman numeral 10). Puddlegum believes the message goes beyond the release date, but instead suggests that In Rainbows is a sort of sequel to the band's breakthrough album, OK … Read more

New releases: Dylan, The Fray and more

We take pride in our diverse catalog on Download Music. Whether it's hip-hop, indie rock, electronica or whatever you're into--we dish out the freshness every week in our newsletter. This week we got a taste of Bob Dylan's new box set (aptly named Dylan) for you to hear. Plus, The Fray just reissued its career-changing 2003 EP The Reason, while Motley Crue unleashed a new live double disc. If you're looking for something new and different, check out Mobius Band, Tunng, and Prefuse 73. Since there's some much to swallow, we made it simple for … Read more

In praise of the doubleneck guitar

Let's take a moment to praise that oddest of instruments: the doubleneck guitar. Popularized by Jimmy Page, it's essentially two guitars in one--in his case, a 12-string (used to play the thick chordal strummy parts of "Stairway" and other Zeppelin songs) and a 6-string (used on other parts, particularly solos). I've recently stumbled across some used Danelectro models, including an unusual combination of regular and baritone. (A baritone is tuned a fifth lower than a standard guitar and is often used on old country recordings...think Johnny Cash walking along the train tracks and you'… Read more

Josh Rouse live in Studio C

Seventies rock-inspired ladies' man Josh Rouse found a few minutes out of his busy tour schedule to stop by Studio C. He treated us to solo acoustic versions of "Hollywood Bass Player" and "Sweetie" from his latest album, Country Mouse City House (which he's currently promoting on his coast to coast tour). Listen to our exclusive Studio C interview with Josh Rouse, along with many more artists such as Matt Nathanson, Lyrics Born, and Stroke 9.

Free playlist: new releases

Across the board, it's been a great week in music. With the fall releases pouring out, we just added new songs from James Blunt, Dashboard Confessional, T.I., Interpol, and more. One notable release is our full album stream of Herbie Hancock's latest "River: The Joni Letters," which is a tribute to Joni Mitchell (who conveniently enough just released an album as well). Check out the song "Court and Spark" featuring Norah Jones. Since there's some much to swallow this week, we made it simple for you by compiling this free playlist. Now … Read more

Me.dium's online concert will rock you

RockMe. has got to the be the only five-day music festival where you won't pay for tickets. It is social-networking site Me.dium's attempt to rock your world, and the only thing you need to get in is your Web browser. (Of course, you still have to bring your own drinks.)

RockMe., which runs from September 18 through September 22, 2007, will feature bands, music video competitions, and the world's safest mosh pit--it's virtual. More important to Me.dium, the RockMe. festival will provide plenty of opportunities for band members and music lovers to swap fond memories of choice lyrics and drum solos using Me.dium's service.… Read more