If you're not aware, recently producer (and general grump) Steve Albini took shots at rocker Amanda Palmer over her crowd-sourcing musicians for her new album. Apparently Palmer sent out a call for fans to play on her new record and offered to pay them in beer. Albini thought this was somehow against everything recording artsists should stand for and took to the message boards to chastise her for it. Real talk? I think this is an excellent (and innovative) way to connect with fans. I guarentee if Michael Penn, Beck or Atmosphere gave me a chance to record guitar licks for their next album - and wanted to pay me in beer - I'd gladly oblige. Simmer down, Steve. Not everything has to be your fight.