Our ongoing feature tracking the progress of the production of the new Images in Vogue video for "Look Me in the Eye" is reaching it's climax! Gary has shared his final experiences of finishing the editing and although the story is complete I think the journey has just begun.

A special thank you to Gary Smith for keeping us in the loop and sharing his experiences with the epic task. We hope to bring you the electronic press kit for this video very soon!

Screenshots and credits have been added!

Read the full article here

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When Matchbox 20's lead singer, Rob Thomas, was planning his first solo release late last year, he thought about ways to make the album a better value, in part to entice consumers who might be tempted to download his songs illegally.

"Obviously I don't want people to download my album," he said. "But you can't just complain that people are downloading music and not do anything."

In the past couple of years, some artists have included a second disc with bonus songs or a short DVD to win over potential file-sharers.

But Thomas's "Something to Be," set for release on April 19 by Atlantic, part of Warner Music Group, is among the first by a major artist to be released only on DualDisc, a format being introduced by the major labels that includes a traditional compact disc on one side and DVD content on the other. The DVD side includes the same album mixed in 5.1 surround sound so that it can be heard through home theater systems, as well as about 20 minutes of video - in Thomas's case, some documentary footage.

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In 2004, the major music labels released 2906 albums, singles and DVDs - in 2003, the major music labels released 4480 albums, singles and DVDs. This represents a staggering 35% decline in only 12 months.

According to Mr. Malik's research, the greatest decline was music singles. In 2003, 769 singles were released, compared to a paltry 446 in 2004. This represents a significant 42% drop in the overall availability of new singles. Album releases fell by 39%, as 3198 were released in 2003, while only 1938 were released in 2004. DVD releases saw a marginal increase - from 513 in 2003 to 522 in 2004 - however this number is no where near enough to "compensate for the reduction in album or single releases."

The statistics for his research were provided by the weekly "ARIA Report", which supplies information on new album and single releases.

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Rumour is that the groundbreaking Test Dept video Program for Progress is to be released on DVD sometime this Spring! Test Dept reissues and DVD's of early performances are in the pipeline for 2005 release. A TD remix CD is also expected.

"More expressly political than their German counterparts Einstrzende Neubauten, Test Department followed the same tack: A creative use of the ethos in which diverse objects (including large amounts of scrap metal and power tools) can be used as instruments.The band released the album Program For Progress in 1984, and made a full-length film to cover each song on the album that film is presented on DVD for the very first time. A stunning and visually unique presentation, the DVD is a must for all fans of the band. Track list: Cold Witness, Shockwork, Compulsion, The Fall From Light, Total State Machine, Mirbach, Inheritance, V.F.M."

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Web giant Yahoo is poised to launch a new digital store and music player, aiming to compete more directly with Apple Computer's successful iTunes service, according to sources familiar with the project.

Yahoo's full-fledged entry into the digital-music retail business could help shift a market that has remained tilted strongly in Apple's favor. Yahoo has already built a large and loyal following for its streaming-music and video service, and could parlay that into music sales.

Indeed, the company's Launchcast radio services was the highest-rated Webcasting service online in January, according to ratings firm Arbitron and ComScore Media Metrix, attracting more than 2.2 million people that month.

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VNV Nation have become a major name in alternative electronic music over the last few years. Their music combines soulful vocals, insightful lyrics with energetic and passionate music that draws on influences from styles like underground dance, industrial and orchestral. VNV Nation have consistently topped the German Alternative charts in the last 5 years and gained a dedicated following worldwide. “Chrome”, is the first single from VNV Nation’s eagerly awaited new album “Matter and Form”. It is a gritty, hard hitting track that is sure to become a hit in alternative clubs across Europe. The single was co-produced by well known German producer Humate and VNV Nation’s own Ronan Harris. The track shows their sound evolving into new electronic territories while focusing and retaining the energy and emotion that have become the hallmarks of the VNV Nation sound.

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