by SHANE SINNOTT

As I write this it is springtime and I have a cold—the inward-pointing head kind that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to track down the new song by the National, being in a perfect headspace for such a thing. Their forthcoming LP, High Violet, has a website at bit.ly/dqQj4x, where you can download the new song “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” In a classy move, you can even get a “deluxe” version of the song (a 320 kbps MP3, with album artwork) instead of the standard 192 kbps one, if you’re willing to leave your (fake or real) e-mail address. Nice one, guys.

Daytrotter.com, the web arm of Horseshack Studios, which hosts a ton of live, one-off studio sessions by bands passing through the Illinois area, has opened up an online store called the Record Barn (yes another horse-themed name) at bit.ly/asafnC. All those recording sessions they posted at the main site were MP3 streams at 128 kbps, and while they will remain there gratis, the store will be offering high-quality, lossless versions of the same sessions for $4 each. Whether you’re going to hear the difference seems to be the subject of much debate—go to bit.ly/buqSR3 to compare for yourself a 192 vs. 320 kbps MP3.

On March 23, woxy.com, one of the oldest and most well-regarded Internet radio stations, ceased broadcasting, citing current “economic realities.” The station began as 97.7 FM in Oxford, Ohio, and started streaming content in 1998. After an ownership change, the station went online in 2004, winning numerous awards and fighting the good fight against the Clear Channel-ization of radio. By the time you read this, you can bet much ink will be spilled on “what this means” for internet broadcasting. I bet it means something bad. Watch a short documentary on the station by fan Zachary Herche at bit.ly/cjnNSo.

Spring is hardly complete without Teenage Fanclub, who are releasing Shadows, their first album in five years, this June. Download the track “Baby Lee” at bit.ly/bZiyQQ.