Pitchfork Reviews 2003
The mighty Pitchfork emerges with a mammoth of an annual review.
This read could take some time as it covers more topics and top ten lists than should be allowed by the online press. Dig in.

Dreams do come true
So, that Safari below I was hunting for in the UK? Looks like Niketown USA just got it!
Niketown US: Nike Air Safari Khaki/Dragon Red/Baroque Brown
ps: I promise some music content soon :)

Buy this record
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
Big ups to my good friend miclee for recommending this one. As he puts it, "I have faith in rock again." About time, man.

Who in the UK can pick me up the new Safari?
I would love you for life :)

(photo borrowed from Instyleshoes.com Forums)

The last few days music playing through my Koss Portapro cans has sounded bizarre to say the least. Checking it against some very stereo divided tracks, it seems as though the drivers had been switched on the headband. I can only suspect my coworkers for this one.

Revolver is to Bigbeat
Before Thanksgiving last week, a unusually thick copy Rolling Stone Magazine made it was into my mailbox. The issue, "The 500 Greatest Albums of all Time" was another large and exclusive list of records that clearly is forgetting classics from Fugazi's back catalog. But, so is the nature of this list.

Why I bring this to your attention is that I constantly see three records at the top of any such lists (including RS):
- The Beatles: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
- The Beatles: Revolver

I'll avoid arguing the merit on the above three and must admit that before last week, I had only explored two of them.

As to why in 28 years I had never listened to Revolver is unclear, but after hearing Geo. Harrison's "Taxman" open the album, I plan to repent and repent often.

The experience of the album is very different across two monitor sets. Listening to it on heapdhones tends to lend a helping hand in maintaining what is assumed to be Geo. Martin's spatial intentions (though rumor has it that the boys preferred the mono mix - your local bootlegger should have a Japanese vinyl > CDR available for all those mono enthusiasts). Try it into your home theatre syetem and you'll see what I mean.

One shocking note that may have been explored many times over during the last 8 years: Can it be argued that the final track on Revolver, "Tomorrow Never Knows" is the predecessor to the Bigbeat craze of the mid 1990's? I think I can hear a taste of every major Chemical Brothers' single in this one track... thoughts?

[If you do plan to go out tomorrow and pick up Revolver, do keep an eye out for the 1998 Toshiba-EMI Japan repressing. This is the choice version.]

How bad is this new colour?

Due to the generosity and kindness of a good friend, the latest Elbow release, "Cast of Shadows" has finally made it to my ears.

As mentioned before, this release is still a good two months away from a US domestic date (Jan 13th to be exact). As to why V2 would delay its US release by more than 6 months latter the Euro/Asia date has me concerned...

Understandably, Elbow is not the biggest name in US music, but it may be one of the biggest names on the imports scene. Domestically, they have played a handful of gigs in 2003 outside of opening for the likes of the Grandaddy this past October. Eight openers (did we forget to visit Boston????) will not suffice in getting the word out on the US music market, sorry to say, but will keep those Elbow fans on the West Coast and NYC fairly entrenched as we wait for a presumed market blast from V2 come January.

As for me, well, I simply could not wait that long. A "BRTY" (borrow, rip, thank you) into iTunes and I'm covered until i can buy this album at fair market value. Let my friends in the industry scream in disgust, but maybe its a good thing I did get a rip. How else would I be able to spread my love for this disc?

Dont worry, I ripped it in AAC, not MP3, and I do promise to buy it come Jan.

Coming soon: some actual insight into "Cast of Shadows"

[For the record: the last disc to break my bank was in Daft Punk's "Homewerk" in early 1997. I simply could not wait the extra 3 months for its domestic release. Its the only import in recent years to force a purchase well ahead of the US drop date. Was it worth it? Come on...]

A Daily dose of Mix Mash
Looking for an easy daily fix of mix session to fill your aural spectrum? Turn to our good friends at Blentwell, providing
new links daily to a diverse selection of sounds and rhythms.

Blentwell continues to prove that online mixes will thrive as loing as the ear will listen. How better to keep yourself busy?

Some quick notes to ensure to all that the mind is still working:

• The punk electro mix is thriving


• Why is the new Elbow record out in the EU but months away from a US release?


• Sundance and IFC music docu's usually suck (re: Driver23)


• I need more soul records in my iPod


• pre-ordering music on half.com saves you money

We'll talk properly soon...

The Rapture DJ in London.
Well worth a listen if not to simply hear Special Ed's "I Got It Made" again!
The Rapture DJ Session on BBC Radio1
(Be aware this link will change in a few days and will be replaced with Fat Boy's latest sauce de gonads tomorrow).

Being without my Powerbook for a week caused less frustration that I had first expected but it caught me in the middle of a res-design of this site. Maybe now I can fix those nasty CSS bugs...

On a good note, I am half way through Stephen Fry's "The Liar" and listening to Tobias Thomas' "Smallville" (on Kompakt) courtesy of EZ.

Elliot Smith Remembered
http://www.nme.com/news/106526.htm

Apple is on the JET
As I mentioned just 8 days ago, JET is my pick for the best new band this year! Just as I was about to push out a nice long propganda peice on my love for their music, Apple goes a step further and features their track "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" in their latest iPod TV advert! The is the best possible promotion for any band! Big ups!

Also on the Apple front, iTunes was released today for Windows, opening up the iTunes Music Store to the missing 92% of the computing world.

iPod advert featuring JET

Listening to JET. More on them in a bit.

The last few weeks since returning from Barcelona have been quiet for me. Very few new full length releases have interested me into a purchase, so I have taken to picking up some EPs to test the waters.
The best of the batch is an EP from the Aussie band JET. Released back in May, "Dirty Sweet" is a great prequel to their Oct 7th (US) full length. Likened to the Rolling Stones and The Who, JET descends into that very popular 70's rock sound while adding a touch of garage noise to the image...

Added some new Kompakt releases to The List. Both are well worth the money and continue in the long held Kompakt tradition of releasing premium compilations.

Back from Barca
3 weeks is a long time but not long enough on the coast of Spain.
Below is a link to some amazing street art/graf that I photographed. Though not music related, it warrants sharing with you all.
Barcelona Street Art/Graf

Turin Brake's Ether Songs does the sinus good
Being sick in the dead heat of the summer is as catastrophic as being trapped in Solvenia wihtout some hard techno. Luckily the boys of Turin Brakes are here to help.
Ether Song is their latest release with a more uptempo vibe than their freshman release, The Optimist.
So far the new record has been good to me as I battle this sinus infection. Oly and Gale's vocals; though not as soothing as Vapor Rub, do help settle the mind.
Worthy of a listen. Track of choice on Ether Song: Self Help.
Someone send me some drops please.

1001 Tracks Should You Download
Cool thread beginning on the I Love Music forums. I've added a few of my picks.
Dig in and lay claim to some of your favorites.

i love music thread: 1001 Tracks Should You Download Before You Die(TM) ???
(http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=3778244)