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Animal Collective song leaks on web—but the Web Sheriff is there to plug it up

Who watches the Watchmen? Or the Internet, for that matter? ISPs all have policies regarding what’s appropriate/legal content and what’s not, but they don’t always enforce it. That’s apparently where companies like Web Sheriff step in.

Stereogum reports that indie band Grizzly Bear, who are fans of freak-folkers Animal Collective, got their hands on one of the band’s new songs (which was not ripped by them) and liked it so much they posted it on the Grizzly Bear Web site. Within a short time, Web Sheriff got to policing, requesting the band take down the song and saying that their blog was the source of a “global leak.” The band posted an apology and carried on. But Stereogum has been blogging about the Web Sheriff for a little while now—there’s more to read here—and there are questions being asked by bloggers about what their role is online. They “police” these blogs, but they also leave comments thanking sites for reviewing apparent clients. Sometimes these blogs don’t have any .mp3 samples up, so many feel like in those cases, the Sheriff’s presence is unjustified.

In any case, Animal Collective is probably happy to know someone’s watching out for their music. If you were hoping to hear them live, get some concert tickets! Animal Collective tickets can be bought or sold online at StubHub.com.