That delightful image is, of course, a parody of the famous cover of Herb Alpert’s 1965 album Whipped Cream & Other Delights. I didn’t realize the extent to which that dairy product-derived fantasy had been mocked until I saw a display at a nearby bar of numerous cover parodies, [...]

“Georgia Wonder: Recording an Album With No Cash”
Brilliant marketing/recording ploy — record in a music store and pimp the gear in exchange for free recording time.
Via Hypebot
“In My Room: Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig”
For those of you who had “Ezra owns a pair of boat shoes” in the betting pool, this will pay off big time. [...]

“End the Need for Benefit Concerts”
Universal health care strengthens business; who would know better than two music industry vets who know what it’s like to be real entrepreneurs?
Via Chicago Tribune
“Shakira’s Stats Don’t Lie: Facebook/Ustream Music Video Debut Is A Hit”
Half a million views via a (mostly) artist-controlled content channel. MTV, stick with Heidi Montag, [...]

You know you want to see it.
“DJ /rupture’s Favorite Cities and Songs”
Great look at music styles worldwide from the definition of a globe-trotting (but not jet-setting) DJ.
Via Flavorwire
“Michael Eric Dyson’s New Book On Nas’s Illmatic“
Am I the only one who feels a bit cheated the subject and the writer didn’t get to spend an afternoon [...]

“The Exile of Satan From Heavy Metal Design”
An excellent look into the craft and creativity of metal cover art, as expansive as the genre itself.
Via Print
“Google Music and the New Payola”
Taking Google to task for arguing its new music service — which places download links from online retailers at the top of search results — [...]

“Lindstrøm Making a 40-Minute Version of “Little Drummer Boy”
This could create an epic backdrop at shopping malls this season.
Via Pitchfork
“Lilith Fair Returning in 2010 With 18-City Tour”
Another touring brand gets revived and repackaged. Man, when is the H.O.R.D.E. tour hitting the road again?
Via Billboard
“Ian Browne Supports The Showing of Hip Hop Movies in Schools”
The former [...]