LAND OF THE LOSTTUNES

In a move that we can only hope will inspire every other major label (not to mention the indies) to do something similar, Universal UK has gone spelunking into the sonic caverns of the past with a digital pick and shovel. The company has launched www.losttunes.com , a download store that spotlights the most esoteric areas of their back catalog, including some selections that are available exclusively on LostTunes. The amount of albums on offer is still fairly small at the moment, but they'll undoubtedly expand as they go along. And they do go impressively deep; you can stay one jump ahead of the psych-folk archivists with Sunforest and Mike Absolom, impress your post-punk-geek pals with Dalek I, or get your blue-eyed soul fix with Dusty Springfield's complete BBC sessions. Now all they need is a virtual snob behind the counter to berate you for not having all this stuff already.

THE WHO TO HIT ROCK BAND

OK, all you classic-rock guitarists manque, your moment is nigh. A batch of Who songs are set to be made available for Rock Band on July 15. "Oh, boy," we hear you shout, "now I can get my game on with 'Won't Get Fooled Again,' and 'Pinball Wizard!'" Actually not. "'Magic Bus' and 'The Kids Are Alright?'" Nope, sorry. "'Substitute' and 'Can't Explain?'" Uh uh. "Freakin' 'Squeeze Box?'" No, let's just put the facts on the table right now.

Admittedly, the dozen Who tracks set for RB do include several bona fide classics ("Baba O'Reilly," "Behind Blue Eyes," "My Generation," "Who Are You," the live version of "Summertime Blues"). But not only are there many key songs conspicuous in their absence, there are some conspicuous by their presence. "Real Good Looking Boy?" "Sea & Sand?" "Leaving Here?" Is this curious state of affairs the result of licensing issues? Aesthetic considerations? Sheer pique? We're imagining a meeting where Daltrey and Townshend told Rock Band "You can't have these, but if you take those, we'll give you this." Let the games begin!