POINTS OF REFERENCE is a music news blog for people with actual lives and/or short attention spans: a weekly selection of topical, pop music talking points fit for bars and break rooms. It’s divided into three sections: NEWS (duh), ALBUM RELEASES (once more with feeling), and STUFF AND THINGS (random, music-related crap from the internet). So, I’m all finished up here. Scroll down, won’t you?
NEWS:
- Apple wants to acquire Beats by Dre. Tyrese Gibson is psyched.
- Some Twitter user possesses an actual copy of The Smiths’ 1986 tour rider. Sample required food item: “Selection of nuts from dressing room.”
- Annie Clark created her own signature coffee. She also assembled an eclectic mixtape for FACT.
- Tommy Lee is playing on the next “Smashing Pumpkins” record.
- Jimmy Page and Puff Daddy –– yes, he changed it back –– received honorary degrees.
- NPR is streaming Conor Oberst’s new album “Upside Down Mountain” (Nonesuch).
- Grantland published a track-by-track recap of Weezer’s self-titled debut album (a.k.a., “The Blue Album”).
- Sasha Frere-Jones and Chris Molanphy discussed the relevancy of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs.
- John Jeremiah Sullivan wrote a fantastic piece about forgotten musical geniuses Elvie Thomas and Geeshie Wiley.
