No Tall Springsteen

When Starbucks announced they were getting into the CD selling business, we were quite pleased with the idea that the local chain could eventually de-throne 'no explicit content' Walmart as the nation's leading seller of music. We decided that we don't really care anymore after Starbucks decided not to sell Bruce Springsteen's latest 'Devils & Dust' since it contains lyrics describing a night with a hooker in the the song 'Reno.' While we are not encouraging (or even discouraging) spending a night with a Nevada prostitute, we do think the song is not especially offensive and that the CD is clearly labeled as having material inappropriate for minors. We think the company is well within its rights to refuse to sell material it finds offensive (perhaps why our human beat-box album never really got distribution there), we think it does further cement Starbucks' reputation as being not especially cool.

On a more positive local music news note, we recommend the DJ Spooky's Drums Of Death and Wolf Eyes show at Chop Suey tonight. DJ Spooky is always entertaining and Wolf Eyes reminds us of early Sonic Youth, which is fine praise indeed. On the less angry (and more Canadian front), Sloan is playing with the Minus 5 at Crocodile this evening.