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:
- Sotheby’s is auctioning off Bob Dylan’s handwritten lyrics for “Like A Rolling Stone.” Also, Willie Nelson’s old tour bus is available for purchase. Stained glass windows. Crushed velvet curtains. Seven miles per gallon.
- Sad Kanye West.
- Flaming Lips lead sonic sorcerer Wayne Coyne fired drummer Kliph Scurlock because cultural appropriation.
- Rihanna’s Instagram account has been mysteriously deleted.
- Sony developed a cassette tape that can hold 64,750,000 songs or, 194,250,000 Black Flag bootlegs.
- Justin Timberlake recorded a song with “Michael Jackson.” The track, called “Love Never Felt Good,” is the first single off Jackson’s second posthumous release “Xscape” (Epic) which drops May 9.
- Will.i.am randomly appeared on “Meet the Press.”
ALBUM RELEASES, MAY 6:
Hamilton Leithauser, “Black Hours” (Ribbon Music).
Lily Allen, “Sheezus” (Regal).
The Horrors, “Luminous” (XL). Listen.
tUnE-yArDs, “Nikki Nack” (4AD). Listen.
STUFF & THINGS:
- Designer Matt Daniels created an interactive hip hop vocabulary graphic.
- The New Yorker’s Ben Greenman published an essay about superhero theme songs.
- “The Secret History of Britney Spears’ Lost Album.” Excerpt: “”Original Doll” has become Spears’ “Smile,” the infamous abandoned Beach Boys’ album, and a fascinating piece of pop folklore.”
