Breaking News 2023: Amazon goes into administration

News has reached MME that online retailer Amazon has gone into administration this morning, with most leading experts and industry commentators agreeing that they simply failed to adapt to the times, with public opinion polling clearly showing that paying for music, film or anything creative is now a hugely outdated concept. 

Amazon HQ in Sector 16
By Horia Varlan

Amazon's downfall marks another victory for The Cloud, now the only way to access music or film over the internet. It will also be the final nail in the coffin for many musicians, after the live industry collapsed two years ago due to advancements in 3D mobile filming and streaming, leaving many fans choosing to stay at home and watch for free. 

It's not all doom and gloom for the music industry though, with Reading and Leeds announcing bionic pop star Rihanna as this year's headliner, with holograms of her performance last year playing on the second stage. Other acts announced include Mumford & Sons who will perform songs from their new album 'Sigh No More XII' and Skrillex, who last month launched his "DJ Everywhere" company after surrendering himself completely to technology and uploading himself to the internet.

A statement issued by The Cloud's leading AI model Mark Zuckerberg said that, if anything, the result will be good for the music business as: "Now all music will be in the one place, along with all your pictures, favourite films and personal information. It's easier than ever to connect with your friends and really get to know them!" The music in one place comment is particularly true, after The Cloud bought all patents to CD, tape, and vinyl players and immediately shut down all production. 

With overwhelming evidence from industry experts, financial advisors and The Cloud itself (Gigabyte protect us), it seems that letting Amazon die is a thing we should just definitely allow to happen and not bother trying to stop at all. 

Muse and Biffy Clyro start feud over Scottish independence

Things in the rock world get ugly as the bands take opposites sides over the referendum

The scene of the brawl in Edinburgh today

Two of Britain's biggest bands today sparked fears of nationwide fan violence after they started fighting over the issue of Scottish independence. Biffy Clyro's new album 'Opposhits' is said to be the cause of the initial aggression, with lyrics on pro-independence song 'Imagiwank' going: "Don't worry baby / We'll break apart / Escape the English / Explode their hearts / Woo woo woo woo yeah woo woo independence".

On hearing the song, Muse's Matt Bellamy took to twitter to accuse 'the Biff' of being part of an SNP conspiracy, as well as personally attacking the band (scroll down to see a selection of his tweets). Biffy singer Neil Simon retaliated by charging down Edinburgh's Royal Mile with a glass bottle of Irn-Bru and engaging Muse in open battle. Muse fought valiantly, constructing catapults from drum sticks and firing Matt Bellamy's 376 guitar pedals at the enemy, but the sheer size and scale of overproduction on Biffy's album was too overwhelming, with last-man-standing Muse drummer Dom Howard finally being brought down by a brutal 20 second multi-tracked "woah". 

To avoid civilian deaths, and in an attempt to settle the issue, it is understood that Muse alcoholic Chris Wolstenhome has given up sobriety to challenge his boozy Biffy counterpart Ben Johnston to a drinking competition. The other two members of each band are playing their part by signing up to a tornado tag match at WWE's upcoming Summer Slam event. 

Just like the independence referendum itself, the outcome of these challenges are uncertain, although everyone can agree that Muse's album was a lot better. 

Some of Matt Bellamy's tweets:

Photo credit to Léa Reviron

Some HILARIOUS music-based jokes

These witticisms are sure to have you rolling on the floor and laughing out loud

Image: 'Crossing Border 2011 - Smith & Burrows' 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8816624@N08/6357781709

Adele walks into a bar. Animal services are called and Adele is taken to a nearby pond.

Leona Lewis walks into a bar. The barman says "Why the long face?". She neighs at him, shits on the floor and begins chewing on a nearby bale of hay.

Liam and Noel Gallagher walk into a bar. They have a pint together despite their differences and NME reporters are left without a soundbite.

Stacey Solomon walks into a bar. The barman says  "Why the long face?". She says "AH DUNNO IT'S JUST THE WAY MA FACE WUZ MADE I GUESS" before smiling confusedly.

Biffy Clyro walk into a bar. The patrons and bar staff immediately evacuate the bar due to the danger of being in such an enclosed space with such a terrible band.

Razorlight's Andy Burrows walks into a bar. The barman says "Why the long face?" He says "I'm so anonymous that at the start of jokes about me the prefix 'Razorlight's' has to be used or else people may not get the reference. Even then it's still not very likely".

What's the difference between Bono and God? One is a singer and one doesn't exist.

Coldplay walk into a bar. They all order pints of beer and the patrons of the bar applaud rapturously, with one being heard saying "Oh, you know, they may not be cool but I really like what Coldplay do" before starting a football chant.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is invited to a fancy dress party where the theme is famous composers. He says "No thanks, this seems like a overly complicated set up to a punchline".

What do a mole and Nicki Minaj have in common? They both have Lady Gaga for a sister, except the mole.

The Strokes to release new single "Jangly Jangly Guitar"?

Seattle 107.7 The End radio station claims to have been sent a copy of the track by RCA

The Strokes on stage last year
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/thom-r/5971313610/ By Tomasz Rychlik

A radio station in Washington claim to have a copy of a new single by indie rock band The Strokes  single entitled "Jangly Jangly Guitar". According to 107.7 The End, the track focuses on their youth and growing up in Manchester, with references to some of their older songs such as "How Soon Is Now?" and "This Charming Man". 

Many music publications have rushed to report the song, despite the fact the only current evidence for its existence is one status update on the radio station's Facebook page, with Pitchfork predicting it will be the best yet most disappointing thing the band has done and preemptively giving the song 6.4 in review.

The news comes as a surprise to many fans who were distraught last year after an interview with frontman and indie idol Julian Casablanca , in which he said the Strokes may be finished due to a lack of recording equipment in the digital age which is crap enough to capture their signature indie lo-fi sound: "The only thing that makes us interesting is the shit way in which we record our music, it's why we've never worked well live".

Twitter is swarming with rumours about the song, including a suggestion it may be a Nine Inch Nails diss-track, with the hashtag #StokeOnTrent trending high. Twitter user @TheoMunro, who claims to have heard the track, says the "Lunchbox" singers have gone for a far more muscular rock sound than before, suggesting Julian and co have been following Pitchfork trends closely. 

Our review of the song will be available as soon as it is released and if it turns out to be real.

Mumford & Sons to release range of cardigans

"It's not what you think" says lead singer and dad Marky Mumford

Marvin Mumford has surprised fans with his latest move
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikemike/3558491113/ By prusakolep

In a bizarre move that could cost the authentic folk band millions, and amid cries of a factory mix up, Mumford & Sons have announced the launch of a series of inflatable dolls based on Swedish rock band The Cardigans. 

Band frontman and father Mike Mumford insists there is no mistake and is confident that the range will once and for all settle the question of their folk validity, saying: "We are the most authentic folk band ever, and if this doesn't convince you we are also in talks with the government and water companies about releasing a range of pipes next year."

The dolls (which are made from environmentally friendly materials such as recycled hemp bags and Laura Marling's tears) go on sale tomorrow with the RRP of £19.99, which includes the doll itself, a poem about sustainability, and a stomp activated foot pump. 

New Music: Oliver Richards - D.I.V.A.

Our review of the Aberdeen local and soul legend's new single & EXCLUSIVE interview 

Oliver Richards performing live
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/39038159/By dbking

"Can you handle the funk?!" demands Oliver Richards' new single (listen here) subliminally. The 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' singer has been quiet in recent weeks following the release of his Kick and Pull EP, which has gone multi-platinum in Bolivia, Armenia and 1978, making 'D.I.V.A.' a much welcomed return to the spotlight. 

Older than much of the material on his EP, the fan favourite starts strongly with drum loops that wouldn't seem out of place on Fleetwood Mac's 'Say You Will' album, a vibe that is continued in some of the guitar tone, vocal effects, and much of the singer's Stevie Nicks inspired wardrobe. 

Apart from a worrying moment around the 2.00 minute mark where it feels as though he may be embarking on a cover of Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing in the Name', Richards keeps everything light-hearted and tongue in cheek, a surprise given the serious nature and existential aspect of the title.

We interviewed Oliver Richards about the song in the below freezing temperatures of Aberdeen earlier today:

MME: Why go back to recording older songs after releasing newer ones like the sublime 'Gimme Love'?

OR: Prob cos I wanted to.

Wise words from the 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' singer in that extensive interview, showing that it's not just through his music that he is able to communicate. 

Our verdict: If the music doesn't get you dancing, then the lyrics will get you singing.

8/10

'D.I.V.A.' will be released on the 28th January on iTunes and Amazon, and you can listen now via soundcloud

MME Opinions Page: January 2013

A selection of our favourite musical opinions this month.

This is what David Bowie looks like
Image: 'David Bowie' http://www.flickr.com/photos/70945486@N00/252869934

1. Your message is ludicrous and unfound #Unfound

"Seriously. Fuck the bands that now have this ridiculous political/ personal/ moral stance on everything......You two were once an alcohol drinking/ drug taking/ meat eating piece of shit like the rest of us. Don't pretend you are something new......when you're really just doing the "hipster" thing that's fun and trendy. Go ahead and do one. That includes you @Architectsuk You may......make fun music but your message is ludicrous and unfound. didn't realise you had a degree in politics/ economics/ scientific Bsc...Just fuck off and make your music. Wanks." - Music "fan" and member of Stone Roses Iain Brown @IainBrownScot

2. David Bowie releases "Where Are We Now?"

"It's definitely the best thing I've ever heard, Samantha and I rushed out to Woolworths to buy a copy" - Prime Minister David Cameron 

"It's not really relevant to the people of Britain today, I've been listening more to the dubbed step" - Labour leader Ed Miliband

"Seriously. Fuck the bands that now have this ridiculous political/ personal/ moral stance on everything......You two were once an alcohol drinking/ drug taking/ meat eating piece of shit like the rest of us. Don't pretend you are something new......when you're really just doing the "hipster" thing that's fun and trendy. Go ahead and do one. That includes you DAVID BOWIE You may......make fun music but your message is ludicrous and unfound. didn't realise you had a degree in politics/ economics/ scientific Bsc...Just fuck off and make your music. Wanks." - Music "fan" and member of Stone Roses Iain Brown @IainBrownScot

3. Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey make up by viewing Minaj's sex tape

"It's good to have Mariah onside in my battle against my arch-nemesis and twin sister Lady Gaga" - Nicki Minaj

"Brings a whole new meaning to the song "Pound The Alarm", if you know what I mean!" - Mock The Week regular Andy Parsons

"Seriously. Fuck the bands that now have this ridiculous political/ personal/ moral stance on everything......You two were once an alcohol drinking/ drug taking/ meat eating piece of shit like the rest of us. Don't pretend you are something new......when you're really just doing the "hipster" thing that's fun and trendy. Go ahead and do one. That includes you NICKI MINAJ You may......make fun music but your message is ludicrous and unfound. didn't realise you had a degree in politics/ economics/ scientific Bsc...Just fuck off and make your SEX TAPES. Wanks." - Music "fan" and member of Stone Roses Iain Brown @IainBrownScot