Activision Screws Up Again with Guitar Hero Franchise

11/24/09 11:22 AM

Activision is currently being sued by ska/rock band No Doubt over the use of virtual avatars in their image for Band Hero. The latest installment of the Guitar Hero franchise allows players to use digital representations of the band on more than just the three No Doubt songs they gave permissions for. Instead, it’s available to use them for every song in the game. For example, you can have Gwen Stefani’s avatar singing “Honky Tonk Woman,” sounding and dancing like Mick Jagger. This supposedly goes against the contract the band signed. Activision is denying any wrongdoing on their part. I personally believe that Activision is up to something here. This is the second time this issue has come up in their music games. The last one, Guitar Hero 5, allowed gamers to...

Here’s A Novel Idea: Release A New Album

10/25/09 11:46 PM

About a month from now, Lady Gaga will release her new CD. Interestingly, it looks a lot like her old one though.  The CD is titled The Fame Monster and it’s pretty much The Fame again, except with a second disc of new material.  So, why not just release the new material then? This seems to be part of a growing trend in the music industry. Artists are releasing old albums again in deluxe or special editions to boost up sales.  Now, I’m not talking about 10 or 20-year anniversary editions.  Three albums that are currently being re-released this year are The Fame, Keane’s Hopes and Fears, and indie artist Bat for Lashes’ Two Suns. All of these albums are from this decade.  Hell, Two Suns came out this April! Artists need to learn that when...

Long Live The Movie Soundtrack

10/1/09 12:17 PM

It’s no surprise to anyone these days is that album sales are down across the board.  Platinum records sales are decreasing each year and are usually exclusive to artists on major labels.  This is leaving both unsigned and indie musicians in a tight financial state.  Even the bigger indie acts can only make their money from extensive touring.  However, this is having a great effect on movie soundtracks. I’ve spent the last six months or so writing for a music website.  A couple of weeks ago, I was looking over the website for the latest news when I discovered that the tracklisting for New Moon had been released.  However, instead of finding the expected listing of emo, Fall Out Boy wannabes, I discovered one of the best compilations of artist...