Apple’s iTunes music software and online store may have its detractors, but that hasn’t stopped its continued rise in popularity — at least not in the US. MacWorld.com is reporting that Apple’s iTunes store is now the second-largest music retailer in the United States. Wal-Mart continues to hold the number one spot, with thousands of locations around the country, and it’s own fledgling online music store.

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REM may be getting a bit long in the tooth as rock bands go, but the group is still breaking new ground in its approach to recording and releasing songs and videos. The band has decided to release a whopping 11 videos for a single track from its new album.

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You have to love the Federal Communications Commission — or hate them. The FCC is now proposing a $1.4 million indecency fine against ABC television because of a 2003 episode of NYPD Blue, which the Feds say crossed the line of decency, by exposing a partially nude woman.

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Wired.com is reporting that Yahoo is negotiating with major music labels to offer unprotected MP3s for sale, or perhaps even for free as part of an advertising-based new online music service. Wired is reporting that Yahoo has met with representatives from Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI to secure the rights to offer music from the big for labels through a new — as yet unnamed — Yahoo online music portal.

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Last.fm, the CBS-owned online music network, is launching a free music on demand service that will allow users to listen to their favorite tunes anytime. Reuters is reporting that Last.fm has partnered with the four largest music companies worldwide and has obtained the cooperation of more than 150,000 individual music labels and artists to provide the new on-demand service with content.

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