Roughly 95 percent of all iPhone apps are wildly useless. (Did you know that there's one called "Are You a Lazy Bum?" that tells you how lazy you are based on a quiz? A tip: If you're taking an iPhone quiz about how lazy you are, you are one lethargic motherfucker.)
But there are a few that can make a train ride or a cousin's birthday party or a shitty opening band set go by a bit quicker. In this recurring feature, we'll round up new music-related apps-- for bands, labels, etc.-- and try to give you the skinny on whether they're worth your time and/or money.
Click on for reviews of recent apps from Jason Forrest, Coldplay, Ghostly International, Depeche Mode, and the Raveonettes:
Jason Forrest's Star6 ($6.99)
Genre-busting sampling freak Jason Forrest presents this sampling program that allows you to manipulate loops and sounds. Adjust speed, pitch, delay, distortion, jitter and more-- with ease. The program comes with a bunch of fuckwithable audio files, but you can also upload your own and record the results.
Roughly how much time could I potentially waste using this app in a single day?
30 minutes.
Will I look silly tapping at this app while using public transportation?
Probably, but it's worth it.
Star6 demo video:
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[Coldplay "Strawberry Swing"](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=323496022&mt=8 "Coldplay "Strawberry Swing"" )__ (free)
Watch Coldplay's eye-blowing new chalk-animated video for "Strawberry Swing", directed by famed innovators Shynola, whenever you want. Also play three different games where you control Chris Martin's superhero character as he flys, swims, and tries to avoid skeleton-headed enemies (screenshot pictured above). Features links to the band's other videos-- handy for that 3 a.m. "Yellow" fix (I may have said too much).
Roughly how much time could I potentially waste using this app in a single day?
15 minutes.
Will I look silly tapping at this app while using public transportation?
Oh yeah.
Ghostly Discovery (free)
Electro-leaning label Ghostly International's program allows you to listen to full streaming songs from their catalogue, according to your mood. It's a generous promotional tool disguised as a mood ring, but it's quite a brilliant disguise. Very slick and friendly design, too.
Roughly how much time could I potentially waste using this app in a single day?
30 minutes.
Will I look silly tapping at this app while using public transportation?
Not a chance.
Ghostly Discovery demo video:
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Depeche Mode Sounds of the Universe__ (free)
Remember that ugly, seemingly Pick-Up Sticks-inspired cover of Depeche Mode's new album? This app shows the cover, and if you touch one of the colored sticks it sets off a different loop from Sounds of the Universe. Basically a DM remix tool for toddlers.
*Roughly how much time could I potentially waste using this app in a single day?
*One minute.
Will I look silly tapping at this app while using public transportation?
Absolutely.
The Raveonettes (free)
Gauzy Velvet Underground disciples the Raveonettes serve up what's quickly becoming a cookie-cutter band app formula: videos, songs, link to Twitter account, useless message board, etc.
Roughly how much time could I potentially waste using this app in a single day?
One minute.
Will I look silly tapping at this app while using public transportation?
No-- this thing could stand to be a bit sillier.