What sort of music do 'the industry' think the customers of Pak's Wig Shop and A Polish Off Licence would like to listen to?

Marketing is a bizarre thing. Today we were sent a press release about Pete Wentz shaving off his beard live online to celebrate the release of someone or other's album.

The notion that a human being was paid money to come up with that idea, and that another human being was paid money to approve that idea, and that another human being was paid money to write words about that idea, and then send those words out to other human beings (who don't get paid any money) to blog about that idea, is quite frankly more depressing than the eleven emails offering us personalised Cialis.

Our interest in marketing strategies within the music industry (thankfully) extends beyond a bassist-from-a-defunct-pop-band's facial hair. In fact, it extends as far as our local wig shop (where Pigeon gets his weave), whose adjacent billboard is regularly updated with posters advertising what is new in the world of cutting edge music.

Here is how the billboard was looking at the end of last week:

In what may be a sad indictment of the state of our lives, things like this genuinely interest us. Let's take a closer look. From left to right you have:

Ellie Goulding - 'Starry Eyed' (Polydor) - The Pak's customers got this to Number 4 this week.

Meat Loaf - 'Hang Cool Teddy Bear' (Mercury) - This gets a DOUBLE SPREAD. Just as well, because those bald ladies appear to have frantically attempted to remove said Meat Loaf posters for their bedroom walls.

Owl City - 'Ocean Eyes' (Island) - Come on now, even the patrons of Pak's know he's a one hit wonder.

The Big Pink - 'A Brief History Of Love' (4AD) - It would appear Pak's wig shop is the prime location to shift a few extra copies of an album released in September of last year.

Chris Ofili - This is not a pop star. It is an artist who makes pictures out of elephant poo.

Now you might think the excitement stops there. NOT SO dear readers, for there is an extra special place reserved for only the finest pop stars requiring that vital sales boost from Pak's. And this week the glass encased top spot is reserved for...

*insert drum roll/the sound of several readers closing their browser window*...

It is quite amazing how this ordinary customer of 'the Polish Off Licence' blends seamlessly into the artwork for Erik Hassle's album, thus emphasising how quirky and outsiderish he really is. Marketing money well spent by Island.

We will, of course, keep you updated on the further adventures of Pak's Wig Shop and its adjacent billboard.