MADISON, Wis. — The times they are a-changin’ for independent record labels. With the increasing popularity of downloading — particularly among college students and young people — record sales are dropping rapidly. And what’s more, of the 15 percent of people ages 18 to 25 who do buy records, the vast majority shop at major retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy. As a result, independent labels and their artists are suffering, struggling to survive in the cutthroat music industry.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — My birthday is coming up and I only have one wish this year. I would like CBS to banish Katie Couric to the morning hours for good and bring back Dan Rather.

Stephen is in town until Thursday to tape his hit Comedy Central show The Colbert Report at Annenberg’s Zellerbach Theater. I visited the set yesterday afternoon for a rehearsal and Q&A session sponsored by the Penn Democrats - it was quite the experience.

Everyone’s favorite Ohio blues rockers teamed up with everyone’s favorite Mouse for the Black Keys’ latest outing, “Attack & Release.” With Danger Mouse now steering the wheel, the Keys’ standard guitar and drums combo is fleshed out, expanding the duo’s sound to new territories, and for those willing to give it a shot, it’s worth the listen.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In the vastly overestimated, over-saturated world of post-’60s Invasion Britpop, Supergrass has never quite gotten its due in the United States. “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory” remains the staple ’90s British rock album in the American public’s consciousness making Oasis the currently embarrassing torchbearer. But next to Supergrass’ “I Should Coco” or “In It for the Money,” Oasis’s crowning achievement comes across sulky and feigned.

PITTSBURGH — Among the most terrifying concepts a horror film can address is the corruption of the familiar.