Album Review: The Offspring Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace

by RomBox.com for the Rock n’ Roll Romper Room

The Offspring
Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace

The Rise And Fall, Rage And Disgrace album was released in 2008 by the Offspring. In June, they announced it would debut on-line. The release of the CD came later in the year. It is the bands eighth album, and the first since 2004. Drummer, Atom Willard, left the band in 2007 and joined Angels & Airwaves. However, he hadn’t been drumming on the recordings. Because of a contract dispute with Geffen records, Willard was not allowed to record. Studio musician, Josh Freese, had been doing the drumming tracks as he had on the previous album.

In any event, the album eventually came out… and due to the onslaught of bad reviews, many people instantly dismissed it. In fact, this reviewer was not even going to give it a try.

Despite the critics, and in the true spirit of American Punk, the album developed an underground fan uprising. It was recently brought to my attention by several of these underground offspring. They said, “you’ve got to listen to this!”

The Offspring have often been pigeoned-holed as a Punk band. Perhaps the music is Punkish. But, on this album, the music has more depth than what comes to mind when you hear “Punk.” Yes. There are elements of Punk and Ska in many of the songs. On the other hand, the melodies, hooks and metal overtones tend to broaden the listening horizon. Some people might even go so far as to say, “the more you listen to it, the more you like it.” Does that mean it boarders on Pop? Shhh… don’t tell the underground fans.

1. Half-Truism 3:27
2. Trust In You 3:09
3. You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid [Explicit] 2:57
4. Hammerhead 4:38
5. A Lot Like Me 4:28
6. Takes Me Nowhere 2:59
7. Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? 3:41
8. Nothingtown [Explicit] 3:30
9. Stuff Is Messed Up [Explicit] 3:31
10. Fix You 4:20
11. Let’s Hear It For Rock Bottom 4:04
12. Rise And Fall 2:59

CKX, Inc. Announces Director Change
Company to fill vacancy within regulatory timeframe

NEW YORK, Jan 23, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — On January 15, 2009, CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) disclosed that John D. Miller, one of the Company’s independent directors, had resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective January 12, 2009. Mr. Miller had served as a Director of the Company since February 2005 and was a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. In disclosing the resignation, the Company noted that Mr. Miller had proposed that the Company consider making an investment in an unaffiliated company in which he holds an equity interest and for which he serves as a paid advisor and was therefore resigning to minimize any perceived or potential conflict of interest arising from such consideration and potential investment. Notwithstanding his resignation, the investment transaction proposed by Mr. Miller as referenced above will be subject to the Company’s review process for related party transactions and, if consummated, will be disclosed in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations regarding disclosure of related party transactions.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world.

On March 17, 2005, we acquired 19 Entertainment Limited and entered into a long-term employment agreement with Simon Fuller, its founder and the creative force behind its most successful projects. In addition to continuing to oversee the operations of 19 Entertainment and its subsidiaries, Mr. Fuller will play a key role in planning and implementing our overall creative direction. 19 Entertainment, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading creator, producer and promoter of entertainment properties. Since forming 19 Entertainment in 1985, Mr. Fuller has been instrumental in creating, developing and marketing multiple globally successful and profitable entertainment properties, including the Spice Girls, S Club 7 and, most recently, the IDOLS television show format. Each of these was conceived as a multi-platform entertainment property and has experienced substantial success on a worldwide basis, generating multiple revenue streams, including recorded music, music publishing, television, film, merchandising, sponsorship, artist management and promotion. Recently, 19 Entertainment entered into a partnership with David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. We believe the partnership with the Beckhams creates an ideal opportunity to develop and share in new and valuable content and relationships, each offering multiple revenue opportunities across various entertainment platforms and distribution channels. The company has recording contracts with and/or manages or has managed former American Idol and Pop Idol participants, such as Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard ad Clay Aiken.

On August 9, 2005, we acquired Morra, Brezner, Steinberg & Tenenbaum Entertainment, Inc. (“MBST”) a leading manager of comedic talent and producer of motion pictures and television programming, and entered into long-term employment relationships with the principals of MBST, Larry Brezner, David Steinberg and Steve Tenenbaum, who continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of MBST. MBST is a full service management company with a roster of more than 35 clients, representing an array of Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning artists including Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Woody Allen, jazz legend John Pizzarelli, comedian/writer Jeff Ross, comedian Jim Norton and director Bob Weide. MBST has had an advisory relationship with Apple Corps, the holding corporation for the Beatles, for more than 15 years. In addition to its management activities, MBST has been responsible for the production of numerous motion pictures and television productions over the years, including Arthur, Good Morning Vietnam, Throw Momma From the Train, The Vanishing, The Greatest Game Ever Played and Match Point.

KingArthur.com Records recording star The Rev. LeRoy Montana has made it to the best seller’s list with the Cyrstal Oracle.

The Crystal Oracle is a tool for getting information you might not have thought of before, or maybe it expands your point of view, or gives you a completely new undertanding. It’s a self-help device, like asking a good friend or psychiatrist, only it uses five crystals (which conduct electrical impulses) and a 15 line casting cloth which names situations people want to know about (like love or money or health) and a quick, easy to understand, informative, little book (and you don’t have to be a scholar or meditator) which interprets the crystals on the lines. Your thoughts are the electrical impulse and the cyrstals carry the thoughts to the casting cloth. Crystals empower our world (computers, TV and radio, and travel – surface and space). That’s information, communication, and transportation. The Crystal Oracle has been continuously available from publishers for 21 years, in at least eight countries. Just hold and release the crystals onto the casting cloth. You can ask a specific question (does Bob love me) or just ask for a “reading” (how will my day go). Barnes and Noble carry it for $13 or you can order it on-line for $10. Try it out. It’s valuable advice during these times, or any time.

GlisteningFlicks.com announced an exclusive partnership with Google.com for distribution of video content. GlisteningFlicks.com houses one of the largest privately owned music video collections. Google.com own YouTube, one of the most visited video websites. The collaboration will result in a one-of-a-kind multimedia experience.

The video feed features a customized viewer preloaded with videos targeted for the webpage content. You’ll also be able to search by keyword. In addition, the webpages will feature a unique RSS entertainment feed. Content will include news, events, free MP3′s for streaming or download, reviews and articles.

YouTube Company History
Founded in February 2005, YouTube is the leader in on-line video, and the premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, mobile devices, blogs, and email.

Everyone can watch videos on YouTube. People can see first-hand accounts of current events, find videos about their hobbies and interests, and discover the quirky and unusual. As more people capture special moments on video, YouTube is empowering them to become the broadcasters of tomorrow.

YouTube received funding from Sequoia Capital in November 2005 and was officially launched one month later in December. Chad Hurley and Steve Chen proceeded to become the first members of the YouTube management team and currently serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer respectively.

In November 2006, within a year of its launch, YouTube was purchased by Google Inc. in one of the most talked-about acquisitions to date.

YouTube has struck numerous partnership deals with content providers such as CBS, BBC, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, Warner Music Group, NBA, The Sundance Channel and many more.

BACKGROUND
Sony kind-of bought American culture. A few years back they purchased BMG. Who was BMG? Well, they were an American company that bought-up a bunch of then famous American record labels, like EPIC and Columbia Records.

Way back before all of this merger activity…
the independent labels brought forth some great music. A large portion of what has become known as “classic rock” is included in this music catalog.

Back then, you’d hear the announcer on a live album, such as REO Speedwagon, step up to the microphone and say, “EPIC recording artist, REO Speedwagon….” And, ther crowd would roar. Then, BMG bought a large number of intellectual property rights, including this EPIC recording. Next, BMG got bought by the bigger fish, SONY.

Their record labels include:
Epic
Jive
Columbia
RCA
Arista
LaFace
Zomba Music Group (including Rough Trade and Pinnacle)
SoSo Def
Legacy
J Records
Red Music Distribution

Here is the history according to Wikipedia:

Sony BMG Music Entertainment began as the result of a 50–50 joint venture between Sony Music Entertainment (part of Sony) and Bertelsmann Music Group (part of Bertelsmann) completed on August 5, 2004. It is one of the Big Four music companies, and includes ownership and distribution of recording labels such as Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Victor Records, RCA Records, Legacy Recordings, Sonic Wave America, and others. The merger affected all Sony Music and Bertelsmann Music Group companies worldwide except for Japan, where it was felt that it would reduce competition in that country’s music industry significantly.

Financial analysts covering the merger anticipated that up to 2,000 jobs would be cut as a result, saving Sony BMG approximately $350 million annually.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, who succeeded Andrew Lack on February 10, 2006. In the first half of 2005, the company’s share of new releases in the United States (US) declined from 33% to 26% according to Nielsen SoundScan. This, and Lack’s negotiation of what some called an “ill-conceived” deal with Bruce Springsteen led to Bertelsmann informing Sony that it would not renew Lack’s contract.

The company signed a content deal with the popular video sharing community YouTube.

On August 5, 2008 Sony Corp. agreed to buy Bertelsmann AG’s 50 percent stake in the music company for $1.2 billion to get full control. The music company will be renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. and will become a unit of Sony Corporation of America.[1] This will allow Sony the rights to artists on the current and historic BMG roster and would allow Sony Corporation to better integrate its functions with its Playstation 3 and upcoming new media initiatives.

About.com reported:
Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc., is one of the so called “Big Four” record companies, along with EMI,
Warner Music Group, and Atlantic Music Groups. Sony BMG, who holds a 25% share of the music market, was born out of the merger of two music industry giants, Sony Music and BMG Music.

FINANCIAL FORECAST
SONY has been bleeding money. This quarter is another example. Their record company is hardly even mentioned in the financial news. If you go to Sony’s Investor Relations, you must dig deep. However, upon digging deeper, they reveal that operating income is expected to be reduced by 11 billion Yen due to lower-than-expected sales and additional restructuring charges in the music business.

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