How The Bootleg Series 8 Will Lead to More Bob Dylan Piracy

New on Medialoper: How The Bootleg Series 8 Will Lead to More Bob Dylan Piracy

If, at the end of the day, all I want is the music of Bob Dylan on Compact Disc, I have two choices: I can have 27 songs for $18.99, or I can have 39 songs for $129.99 — over $100 dollars more!

How does that make any sense? Sure, there’s a beautiful photobook and all, but I’d look at it once or twice and file it away forever.

25 Musical Moments To Die For

New on Medialoper: 25 Musical Moments To Die For

For me, “the moment” is the part of the song that fully and utterly engages me; the reason that I keep coming back to it.

I’m not necessarily talking about hooks here, because the purpose of hooks is the draw you into a song. I’m really talking more about traps: the part of a song that that keeps you there.

Every single moment I’ve listed below kills me single every time I hear it.

Paul Westerberg's Weird Experiment

New on Medialoper: Paul Westerberg's Weird Experiment

In reality, while 49:00 is a single file, it consists of several songs. Which means this: Paul Westerberg has figured out how to get people to listen to an actual album all the way through. There’s really no choice, especially since — as I write this — there doesn’t seem to be any actual song titles floating around. It’s all or nothing.

Hey Masses! Don't You Dare Watch "Mad Men"

New on Medialoper: Hey Masses! Don't You Dare Watch "Mad Men"

I’ve always wanted a pop culture world where “I Will Dare” by The Replacements was the first of their many top ten singles. A world where “Sequestered In Memphis” by The Hold Steady is played on radio stations across the country and a world where everybody is into Mad Men, and not American Idol.

My Favorite Album For Every Year I've Been Alive

On Medialoper: My Favorite Album For Every Year I've Been Alive

Most frustrating was a year like 1975, where epochal records like Physical Graffiti or Born to Run — absolute all-time classics which I still love — get edged out when they would have stomped )either the year before or the year prior.

Why Kanye West is Such An Asshole

New on Medialoper: Why Kanye West is Such An Asshole

And it ain’t because he’s a genius. I mean, he may very well be a genius, and the fact that everybody takes it for granted that he is a genius because he says he is a genius makes him — at the very least — a genius at making people think that he’s a genius.

Is Playing Music on the Radio A Form of Piracy?

New on Medialoper: Is Playing Music on the Radio A Form of Piracy?

The reality is that for decades and decades, pop musicians have mythologized their songs being played on the radio. They love it. It’s always a huge deal: a moment where they felt validated or legit. I mean, have you ever heard an artist ever say, even once, “When I first heard my song on the radio, I called my lawyer, and said, ’sue those bastards, they’re ripping me off.’