Download chart delayed! Because it is shit!

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI, or CARTEL for short) has obviously been reading my blog.

Just three weeks after my well-argued and not at all rambling diatribe on the download charts, they've decided to delay incorporating downloads into the official UK Top 40.

Actually, it probably has more to do with the fact they're trying to squeeze more money out of people downloading music at exactly the same time as the European Commission is investigating the suspiciously high prices of those downloads in the UK.

Aren't multinational corporations marvellous?

BBC NEWS: Download chart debut is delayed

FT.com: Top music labels try to raise prices for downloads

The Register: Europe probes 'rip off' Apple iTunes pricing

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Old News!!!

It's like someone pressed 'pause' on the news when I left the country. Two weeks off work and the headlines are all the same: "Government debates ridiculous infringement of our human rights", "Boring Prince will marry boring lady", "Pope still not dead".

Has the music news been any more entertaining? Frankly, yes.

This is what I missed:

Joss Stone tells Robbie to shove it.
"I liked you when I was eight, but I've grown out of it", the twirly-barneted diva told Robbie. Haven't we all, love?

Michael Stipe has blue snot
It's true, I tells ya.

Neptunes: The honeymoon is finally over
They are to take production credits on Jamie Cullum's new album, tentatively titled "Slap my fat, self-satisfied, tit-face"

Alanis - Go USA!
Always one to be contrary, Alanis Morissette has become an US citizen just as thousands of forward-thinking citizens flee in the other direction.

Phwoar!
Natalie Imbruglia's new website has 'gone live', as they used to say in 1987. Lots of gorgeous new pictures samples from her fantastic new album, which is out next month.

Normal service is now resumed.

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Shake it

Back... and it looks like my inability to buy the Girls Aloud single this week has robbed them of the top spot.

I shall console myself with this shot from their video, which is the very pinnacle of pop achievement in 2005.



Click for 'full motion'

UK Top 40 charts (GA are at 4, bah!)

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Bye Bye

We're off to Cyprus for a bit, so there'll be no updates for a week or so.

Don't rob the house while we're away, please.

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Retarded

Ahhh, the Grammys. There are only 179 categories, so there's a tiny tiny chance your favourite artists might not be "honoured".

You could cut the tension with a spork.

Last night the phenomenally dull Usher won 85 separate awards, or something. And Prince got a nod for still being alive (some people had forgotten).

However, Basement Jaxx & Britney got gongs, so it wasn't all bad.

Actually, it was all bad. The Black Eyed Peas were voted Best Rap Performance for "Let's Get It Started", which contains the year's worst lyrics:

Inch by inch,
with a new solution.
Transmit hips,
with no delusion.

Why, Lord? Why?

GRAMMY.com

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Brit Awards Picture Special

Natalie Imbruglia: Shocked!


Heidi & Keisha Sugababe:
Suck in those stomachs!


Girls Aloud: Windswept!


Gwen Stefani: Sunburnt!


Kelly Osbourne: Oh, the humanity!

Brit Awards

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