The operatove word this week is “flat.”  Sales are flat from last week, flat from the same week in 2010 and flat compared to year-to-year pacing.  I could give you a bunch of other statistics, but they all equal the same thing:  flat.

And with a dearth/drought of big-name and hot new releases this summer, there’s been little to get excited about.  Maybe that will change with next Wednesday when we get first-week numbers for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ I’m With You.  Or maybe not.

Denise, in case you’re coming in late, is the non-human AI DJ that’s being used at a station in Texas in place of a real live radio announcer.  I’ve been railing against this move for the last couple of weeks while Denise’s creator has been offering counterpoints to my objections and outrage.

Meanwhile, the radio industry has picked up on the story.  This appeared in consultant Fred Jacobs newsletter today.

Is it really the last day of August?  How is this possible? 

The good news is that September 1st falls on a Thursday, which means we really don’t have to worry about reality until September 6th.  Then again, we’ll pay for it come January when the first work week of the New Year comes early.

On that cheery note, here’s some music news for your morning.

Why do I have the feeling the next great play for Facebook is in the music arena?  I’m sure we’ll hear more with the upcoming f8 conference.  Meanwhile, an app called Radioplayer has been introduced.  Facebook users can now share their favourite radio listening amongst 250 available stations.

Some functionality in iTunes streaming disappeared with the last update.  What’s going on?  CNET has some insight

Tuesday tends to be a better day for music news than Monday.  And given that this is the last full week of summer, things will get back to normal one week from today.  I have a feeling that it’s going to be an EXTREMELY busy fall.