Imus firing a mistake.
Double standards abound in the media.

By Ryan Murray

Turn on the news this evening, and you’ll most likely see a story similar to this:

Nationally-syndicated radio host Don Imus has been fired by CBS Radio for comments made over the air about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.

What a surprise. A “shock jock” shocked people last week by making what could be perceived as racially-offensive remarks. And since then, there has been a barrage of media coverage towards the incident. Not only have sports media outlets picked up the story, but CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC (who, until Wednesday, had simulcast Imus’ show on television.) But, with this extra media coverage, there has been something missing: extra scrutiny of the situation. And, after watching much of this coverage (and generally being disgusted by most of it), I have come to a sad realization.

There is a double-standard in play. Imus was fired because he was white, and used words that, according to generally accepted social norms, are reserved for African-Americans to use.

Keep that in mind for a second.

Let me take you back to last spring, and the 2006 Academy Awards. The rap group Three 6 Mafia took home an Oscar for Best Original Song for their song “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp.” If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a brief sampling of the lyrics:

In my eyes I done seen some crazy thangs in the streets
Gotta couple hoes workin on the changes for me…
Man it seems like I'm duckin dodgin bullets everyday
Niggaz hatin on me cause I got hoes on the tray
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my hoes, that's when shit got harder.

Imus used the term “Ho” twice. Not only did Three 6 Mafia use the same term three times in that short sample, but they also used the term commonly referred to as “the n-word.” In fact, the song itself contains “ho” three times, “niggaz” twice, “bitches” six times, AND (get this) uses the term “snow bunny”, which could be considered an offensive term to Caucasian-Americans. All this, plus the traditional smattering of other profanity often found in modern rap music…

…And this song won an award. Not just any award, an Oscar; an award traditionally seen as the pinnacle of the entertainment business. So, while the African-American members of Three 6 Mafia won an award for using this sort of language, Don Imus was fired.

This song is merely one example. One need only look to much of the music that makes up the Top-40 radio playlist, and one will see much music that is eerily similar in content. Look at, for example, KBKS-FM in Seattle, Washington. According to their website, nine songs out of their top thirty-played songs are by artists whose songs contain similar language to the language used in the song above.

Why did I choose KBKS? KBKS, or Kiss 106.1, as it is branded publicly, is owned by CBS Radio. Yes, the same CBS that just fired Don Imus for using the word “ho.”

So, what have we learned? It’s perfectly acceptable for a company to profit from African-Americans using the word “ho”, but it’s not acceptable for a company to profit from a Caucasian-American using it.

Welcome to America, where double-standards abound.

Institute – Distort Yourself.

Interscope Records - Released 09/13/05

Rock history often tells the story of bands who rise from the intimate settings of the small club show to sold-out arenas and festival tours. So often is this story told, that it has become almost cliché and expected. Rarer is the story of the artist who graduates from the sold-out arena and a life of rock-star excesses and heads back to the small club atmosphere which spawned his work. Yet, that's exactly what Gavin Rossdale has done with his new act Institute.

Rossdale, formerly of 90's alt-rock superact Bush, is once again in the spotlight, albeit one with much less glory and brilliance than the one which he once lived. Yet, don't let this fool you; Rossdale is the same genius songcrafter he always has been. But Institute is no Bush clone, either. Rossdale is able to take his emotional vocal delivery to new heights over the crushing guitars of “Bulletproof Skin” and first single “When Animals Attack.” Whereas Bush delved into pop song styling, Rossdale has instead chosen to keep the focus on the rock. You won't find any slow, “Glycerine”-type ballads on Distort Yourself. The nearest Rossdale and company come is on the melodic “Ambulances”, a song which evokes the spirit of the slower Bush, but doesn't completely emulate it.

Institute is one of the most talented modern rock bands to emerge in the last few years. Yet, they have been passed over, it would seem. Nearly a year after the album's release, it has yet to grow the type of recognition or fan base that Bush had after the release of Sixteen Stone. And, without a breakout hit to their name, Institute seems destined to stay out of the limelight for at least the next few years. But to say this is justified would be a lie. Institute is the musical pinnacle that Rossdale has been striving for, and he has finally reached it. Distort Yourself is an article that any Bush fan - nay, any rock fan – can not and should not pass up.

Patent Office Finally Gets It Right
Clear Channel's "Instant Live" Patents Revoked

All Access is reporting that the patents pertaining to Clear Channel and Live Nation's "Instant Live" technology have been revoked. According to All Access, the "U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will revoke a patent on live concert recording technology owned by CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, following a successful challenge launched last year by the ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION."

This is a win for both competing companies, who were prevented from carrying on business in many areas, and tape-traders AND taper-friendly bands. Clear Channel had been rather pushy with the patents, claiming "exclusive" rights to record shows and sell copies immediately after the show. All Access continues, stating "NEW YORK-based DISC LIVE by early 2003 had already recorded acts and sold instant CDs at shows featuring the ALLMAN BROTHERS and BILLY IDOL, but encountered obstacles in 2004 when CLEAR CHANNEL prevented the company from recording shows and selling CDs at CLEAR CHANNEL venues on the PIXIES' reunion tour."

With the revocation of these patents, the industry will continue to see growth and competition in regards to the instant sale of live material. This can only be a good thing for bands, who will not be locked into one company's pricing scheme, and for consumers, who will not be forced to subsidize high costs associated with monopolization.

One only hopes that the USPTO continues to examine patents and revoke ones which inhibit proper competition. I can think of a few "software patents" i'd like to see examined...

Buckethead – In Search Of The...
Self-released – Available now.

Buckethead, simply put, is an artist who defies explanation. His unique breed of guitar-driven avant-garde rock makes for one of the most intriguing, if not mind-blowing listening experiences you will ever encounter. And, the man-who-wears-the-KFC-bucket has taken his sound to a completely different level with the release of “In Search Of The...”

“In Search Of The...” is the ultimate in artist-fan interaction. Each volume (of which there are thirteen total) is hand-burned and hand-decorated by Buckethead himself. Each set is quite literally “one of a kind.” Within the set itself, each volume acts as not only a stand-alone work, but also as a piece within the work as a whole. There are no lyrics (or even song titles, for that matter) to distract you from the organic listening experience each volume has to offer. There is only the virtuoso-like guitar to lead your listening experience.

The concept of the artist-fan interaction is really the key point though. If Buckethead proves successful in this experiment, we may begin to see this more often from other, possibly more mainstream acts. Ultimately, whether or not this succeeds is on the shoulders of the consumers who purchase music. At $200 for the 13-volume set, it's a hefty price. But to fans of Buckethead who wish to own a unique piece of rock culture, it's but a drop in the hat. (For those less monetarily endowed, the set is available for download via major Bit-torrent sites.)

[Buy this album online at TDRS Music Store.]

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – Living With The Living
Touch and Go – 03/20/07

There comes a time in any music fan's life where he or she inadvertently runs across an album that makes him or her question exactly why the hell they hadn't found this artist sooner. For me, this moment came with the leak of Ted Leo's “Living with the Living” back in February.

It seems to me that Ted Leo could have fit in anywhere in the history of punk music. “Living with the Living”, his latest release, covers the entire spectrum of Ted's abilities as both a singer and a songwriter. From the melodic (“A Bottle of Buckie”) to the frenetic (“Bomb. Repeat. Bomb”) to the overtly political (take your pick of track), “Living with the Living” flows as one, organic work. Leo's skills show: There isn't a bad track to be found anywhere on this album.

This album is also notable for the controversy surrounding its early leak. The album was quickly pulled by most public and private Bit-torrent tracker sites after a request sent by the band's management. However the request also contained language which could be construed as permitting the album to be uploaded after the retail release date (insinuating that while the band didn't appreciate the early leak, that they do, in fact, support the trading of their material to new listeners.)

Whether or not you download the material or purchase it on 3/20, the fact stands that Ted Leo's “Living with the Living” is an early candidate for album of the year. Whether you be an old Ted Leo fan, or someone who has never even heard of him before, this album has something for you.

Kaiser Chiefs – Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Universal - 3/27/07

Long live the Kaiser Chiefs!

The Fab Five are back with another round of their trademark brit-rock, albeit in a slightly more radio-friendly manner. The Chiefs have slowed themselves down a bit, with the slow riffs of “Ruby” and “Heat Dies Down” replacing the fast and frantic pace of “I Predict A Riot” and “Na na na na na.” But they do so without missing a stride, unlike many other brit-rock acts who have tried (and failed) to expand their American audiences in a similar fashion (read: Blur.)

Lead vocalist Ricky Wilson continues to deliver the Chief's vocals in a manner which evokes the feeling of the uniquely British “Mod” sound, yet manages to remain timely and fresh, while keyboardist and lyricist Nick Baines continues to develop the group's signature sound without wavering from the formula excessively. The result? An album immediately recognizable as theirs, yet more easily accessible to the general public.

“Yours Truly, Angry Mob” is arguably their best work yet, and will appeal to fans of alt-rock, both young and old. Make sure to pick up your copy on Tuesday March 27th, if you haven't already stolen it.

Music Video of the Week:
Madonna - "Like A Prayer"

Such an underrated video is this one. Madonna, never one to shy away from controversy (even in the 90s) blends icons of Christianity with an interracial love scene to get....well, some pissed-off Christians. But, the video also helped publicize issues such as discrimination and rape. Fallout? She lost her lucrative Pepsi contract. But hey, all's fair in love, war, and artistic content.

Directed by Mary Lambert. 1989.

The Missing Month...

Wow. It's been a month since I updated. So much for my promises, eh?

I've finally got my schedule sorted out and acclimated to. So, as a result, I can finally get back to writing.

I won't gurantee updates on any specific days. However, each week, I'd like to publish:

• At least one music review.
• At least one movie review.
• At least one "Music Video of the Week" post.
• At least one commentary about anything related to media.

Whether or not these actually get done is up to fate, i guess. But all I can do is try.

Apologies are in order...

Apologies for no new updates. Things have been a tad hectic as of recent. Here's to hoping they settle down soon. I should have an update up tomorrow.

Also, apologies to those who I owe the favor of a reply email. Again, things have been hectic here (both professionally and personally), and that, combined with a bout with viral infection, have left me both tired and away from my PC much of the weekend.

In other news, the next week or so is shaping up to be an exciting time. Stay tuned.