new Amazon mp3 store is nice (DRM-free!)

September 26th, 2007

Just downloaded my first bought album in mp3 format, using Amazon.com: Manu Chao’s La Radiolina. The service worked like a charm, way better than the recent black eye left by the Amazon Unbox video download service, which was even a hassle to uninstall.

Unlike iTunes, the Amazon mp3 downloads are DRM-free, so you can burn, copy and save to your heart’s content. You do need to install a small bit of software, but it’s a painless, 1-minute process. Then the program manages and organizes your downloads and imports them into iTunes or Windows Media Player, automatically. Very slick.

I don’t think the library is that huge yet, but I will shop there again. Besides the ease, I am really pleased to support Manu Chao.

This was the first video off the album, “Rainin’ in Paradize.”

Sheriff Norm sledgehammers his television live on Radio Free Hawaii

September 19th, 2007

If you recall, Radio Free Hawaii was conceptualized and piloted by Sheriff Norm. Below is some classic audio of Sheriff Norm calmly ranting about the corrupting influences of television and superiority of radio as a broadcast medium. Then he smashes his television set with a sledgehammer, in the studio. Because that is the kind of man Sheriff Norm is.

Considering it is over 10 years old, the battered cassette tape this came from is lucky to be alive! Quality is poor, there is Hawaiian music running underneath and all kinds of strange distortions and static, but that just gives it a way-back feeling. Hope you enjoy?!

This bit of violence against consumer goods was recorded from a rebroadcast on the late-night talk show of the inimitable Mad Mohammad, a popular and controversial dj. The topic that evening was violence on television and “do you agree with Sheriff Norm’s decision to sledgehammer his tv?”

Because he cares about the kids, Mohammad also offers some helpful safety tips for listeners who might decide to sledgehammer their own television.

These snippets came from cassette recordings by Shawn Speedy Lopes, former production director at Radio Free Hawaii and current owner of Stylus Music and Clothing Exchange.

    About

    Jeela is a writer, web content editor and graduate student in Honolulu. This site features some of her published articles and anything else she feels like rambling about, including but not limited to: food, the environment, music, Hawaii and Moomins.

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