By Brian Hiatt

New record’s rush release could be fresh model for biz

By Brian Hiatt

“HEN   THE    RACON-

teurs’ Consolers of the Lonely hit record stores and online retailers on March 25th, it was the latest evi¬dence that the music industry’s old rules no longer apply. Michael Vick Conversation The band, led by the White Stripes’ Jack White and singer-song-writer Brendan Benson, had announced the release only one week earlier – after finishing the record in the first week of March and immediately sending it to pressing plants. “The music business is so scared all the time, and I don’t like living in fear like that,” White says a few days after the album came out. “This is just a simple approach: Get it out as soon as possible.”

Glam Grifters

I WAS DEEPLY OFFENDED BY

Taibbi’s article. Your work is proof that sexism is acceptable in ways  that racism is not. Announcements Sara Sealander, Tuba City, GA

Glam Grifters

WHEN I WAS AN UNDERGRAD

at Drexel University in Phila-delphia, Jocelyn Kirsch ["The Fabulous Fraudulent Life of Jocelyn and Ed," RS 1048] stole my wallet from the school cafe. She then went on an Internet shopping spree. Although the Philadelphia police decided they had more pressing issues than a “non-prosecutable” crime, it took me months to

put my credit back together. It sickens me that this girl will cash in on her fame while I am up to my ears in debt.

Jen Gray, J^ew Tor\

Family Feud

Clinton’s Return

MATT TAIBBl’s A RTICLE “H I LL-

ary’s Last Stand” [RS 1048] was insightful. I resent being told that it makes me a bad feminist to support Obama. As a feminist, I would rather the first woman president get there on her own, instead of riding her husband’s coattails. If that means I have to wait a little longer to see that first Madam President, so be it. JoomlaJunkie templates

Elena Lamprich, St. Louis

Behind the Cover Shoot

The average music tan might be intimidated sitting in a room with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Jack White. But for contributing photographer Max Vadukul, who photographed the trio for this issue’s cover story on the Stones’ new concert doc. Shine

Obamamania

FINALLY, A REAL ROCK STAR

makes the cover [RS 1048]! Katrina Tekavec, via the Internet

I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER

to have a subscription. After all the suffering of the Bush years, Obama is our reward.   Cameras & Camcorders

Sue Figel, i>ia the Internet

THE  ONLY  THING  MISSING

from the cover was the halo. Are you guys for real?

Marl^ Hmricksen, Seattle

THE PERFECT SUMMER MIX

PATRON PINEAPPLE

1 oz. Patron Silver 1/4 oz. Patron Citronge Fresh pineapple juice Lime squeeze

Method: The Largest digital music storage

Pour Patron Silver and Patron Citronge over ice. Fill with pineapple juice. Finish with a squeeze of lime. Enjoy.

©2009 The Patron Spirits Company. Las Vegas. NV. 40% Alc./Vol. The perfect way to enjoy Patron is responsibly.

COVER

Shirt by Etro, at Etro, New York. Tie by Charvet, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

TOC

PAGE 6: Coat by Yves Saint Laurent, at select Yves Saint Laurent boutiques. Pants by Maison Martin Margiela, at Maison Martin Margiela, New York. Shoes by Dries Van Noten, at Barneys New York. Free Antonio Vivaldi

STYLE

PAGE 36: Sunglasses by Giorgio Armani, at Giorgio Armani boutiques. Shirt by Thorn Browne New York, at Jeffrey New York, New York. PAGE 41:1. Nike, at Niketown. 2. Geox, at Geox stores.