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MusicRadar's 2008 review: heroes and villains

The good, the bad and the plain greedy

The MusicRadar Team, Fri 26 Dec 2008, 9:07 am UTC

GarageBand

The heroic GarageBand - music-making made easier

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Apple's App Store

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SMule's Ocarina - it doesn't blow

With the launch of the App Store in July, the iPhone and iPod touch suddenly became viable music-making platforms. OK, some of the stuff that's been released isn't up to serious production standard, but we're already starting to see some really inventive software such as SMule's Ocarina. The App Store is big already, but trust us when we say that's going to get much, much bigger. Ben Rogerson


Leonard Cohen

The App Store is big already, but trust us when we say that's going to get much, much bigger.

Over the years I've seen lots of memorable sets at Worthy Farm, but Leonard Cohen's performance at Glastonbury has to be amongst the finest and most moving. The unquestionable highlight came just as the sun was disappearing behind the hills – the 73 year old straps on an acoustic guitar and stuns us with a haunting rendition of Suzanne, followed by the emotional knock-out punch of Hallelujah's crowd sing-along. Simply a beautiful moment. Chris Vinnicombe


MusicRadar's villains of 2008


Bands who take advantage of fans

Fan clubs should exist for one reason; to serve band's most loyal supporters. Not the Backstage With Jon Bon Jovi fanclub. The basics are this:
1. It's $50 to join.
2. The band's gig in NYC in July was $305 a ticket.
3. The fan club seats came with an extra $75 handling fee.
That's right, a total of $430 for a gig and extra for fan club members.
No wonder Bon Jovi's Lost Highway tour grossed $210m (!) in 2008. Bon Jovi seem sensible enough guys to sort their club out, but for now they're giving fan clubs a bad name. Michael Leonard


Axl Rose aka Guns N' Rose

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It's one thing to be off your rocker, but expecting the world to shut down and buy your unqualified fiasco known as Chinese Democracy? Gimme a break. And then you have the nerve to get all up in Dr Pepper's ass because their giveaway didn't float your boat? How about this: Make a record like Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. No hype, no knotheaded claims from your manager comparing you to Michelangelo, just put something out and do away with the three-ring circus. I still may not like it, but I'll respect you more. Or a little. Joe Bosso

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