Another week another article from my main man Steve Albini. This time a slightly older one about the “Problem with the Music industry”… Full link here.

It includes sums as well, but it’s certainly a word of warning to bands wanting to sign to major labels and things that should be avoided.

Good luck to all unsigned bands out there… I try and do my bit to help increase awareness for the ones that are good and in that vain, I’ve reviewed some tracks by The Ideals this week from their Myspace site.

Harking back to the musical hay days of 90’s Britpop, these three superbly crafted songs are full of hooks and chiming guitars that put the recent attempts by Oasis into the shade. Combining the Beatles-tinged pop influences favoured by The La’s and Shack with hints of Americana in the vocal harmonies of The Jayhawks, these guys are creating songs of indie-pop goodness. Shine is the highlight of the three tracks streaming here, a sunshine filled pop gem that rattles along with it’s 60’s tinged guitar hooks laden with wistful lyrics and vocal harmonies. Signs of Life prove their no one trick pony however as the elegant string arrangement is just hidden in the mix behind the guitars whilst Come On Come On is a playful romp of rock n roll dreams with trashy guitars and clattering drums that sounds like Oasis at their Definitely Maybe peak.

Full review here.