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One Week In Music - Week 13 / 2008
Instead of reviewing a single album from time to time, I'll now review my “week in music”. Week 13 / 2008 is starting with The B-52's new studio album Funplex
, Club Des Belugas' Swop
, The Kooks' Konk
, M83's Saturdays = Youth
and Songs On The Rocks
by Nôze.
How To Listen To BBC Internet Radio Streams On A Sonos
Welcome to my first and already updated how-to, How to listen to BBC Internet radio streams on a Sonos or any other MP3 streaming device
.
Originally, it was called How to listen to BBC Internet radio streams outside the UK (on a Sonos or any other MP3 streaming device)
. James Cridland kindly left a comment pointing out that BBC Internet radio streams can be listened to worldwide. You're still welcome to read about the outdated (as it's only of “historical interest” now) preceding adventure, but you probably may want to jump straight to the new how-to.
A Digression Into The Philosophy Of Time
After a discussion of time management with a friend I dug out this excellent comment I got on a blog I ran some years ago, as it nicely sums up my point of view. (A friend of mine, Funky Franz, left it after I said sorry, I don't have the time right now
.)
A digression into the philosophy of time
Time is the most evenhanded distributed ressource on this planet: everyone gets 24 hours a day.
Except for some basic needs such as sleeping, eating and maintaining health, you can do whatever you think it's right and important with these 24 hours.
As you have a difficult status as an unemployed person and may be looked at like a second-class citizen in society (family, friends) – together with feeling worthless or bored – you probably end up engaging in gainful employment .
Unfortunately, most employers know some tricks and how to apply pressure to change or even control the time management of an individual.
Some of these methods are
Everything-or-nothing-method
The time you invest as an employee is traded coarse-grained.
According to the principle “either you take this full-time job or you end up on the street”.Peer pressure
Colleagues competing who stays longest.
The one who leaves early, because he's got other priorities, is going to be dissed.Setting dates for results
If you enjoy some more relaxed timing (e.g. you're a contractor) this usually means more work, as you think you can't live up to the quality standard and narrow margin deadlines.
The different methods of time management mostly exist to provide clarity of own priorities, retaining those priorities in a suitable time planning, and also to have an overview of the actual allocated time of these actions. All in all rendering consciousness of timing.
Since then I've abandoned the phrase “I don't have the time”. I rather say “I've got other priorities”. Allowedly, from time to time this requires some diplomatic skill, so it does not sound harsh.
I've never said “I don't have the time” since, too. How do you perceive and deal with time – your time?
Portishead - Third
Despite having written a review some hours ago, I'm just back with another one. Had I known I could get my hands on a preview of Portishead's new album Third
, I'd surely had skipped that Gnarls Barkley encounter. Not of the third kind, rather like a rerun of Ally McBeal.
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Portishead
Third
I must admit that I have problems reviewing this album. It's way too easy to review bad albums, as it's easy to be mean, but the better an album is the harder it is to find words that do not suck up to it. Yes, this album is freaking good, yes, it was well worth waiting ten years, yes, it's progressive and still cognizable Portishead.
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
In 2006, musical collaboration Gnarls Barkley stirred up the music business. Not only because of the success of their hit single Crazy
– it also was the first single to top the UK singles chart purely on download sales
. Contrary to the (ongoing) believe of the RIAA the occident hadn't fallen into darkness.
In the meantime
Pretty much has happened since then in Internet music, with renowned musicians like Prince giving his album Planet Earth away for free, Radiohead selling their album In Rainbows solely for some weeks on the Internet first and letting their customers set the price individually, and Nine Inch Nails publishing using the Creative Commons.
Right about now
Now, Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green are back with their new Gnarls Barkley album The Odd Couple
. With a semi-official viral campaign, this time it's not half the rent as too many bands have been there and done that. Not gaining as much hype as two years ago, they'll have to face criticism just for that (and how it should be): their music.
