Wilco: 2004-11-20, Tempe [flac]*
Cat Power: 1998-11-23, Germany [ape]*
Bright Eyes: 2004-10-02, Cleveland [shn]*
Interpol: 2004-11-26, Copenhagen [flac]*
Strokes: 2000-12-21, WFMU [shn]*
White Stripes: 2004-08-29, Leeds Festival [mp2]*
Mike Watt: 2004-10-23, Brooklyn [flac]*
Talking Heads: 1976-10-09, New York [flac]*
Miles Davis: 1971-10-26, Brussels [shn]*
Franz Ferdinand: 2004-11-19, Lyon [dvd]*
*registration required
Max at Lotsofco has listed his "top 40 songs of 2004."
The Des Moines Register reviews several 2004 holiday albums.
Truman Capote's unpublished first novel will be auctioned this week.
The Christian Science Monitor lauds photo sharing site, Flickr.
The Times Online reviews a recent Graham Coxon show.
Popmatters interviews comedian David Cross.
Playlist examines the digital U2 box set.
The Daily Texan offers several "top 5 records of 2004" lists.
The Guardian lists Ukrainian blogs.
The Guardian gets critics' favourite book picks.
Kevn Kinney's Sun Tangled Angel Revival: 2004-11-12, Vienna [mp3,ogg,flac]
Paul Westerberg: 2004-11-06 & 07: Minneapolis [mp3]
Enon: several tracks [mp3]
Jingle Punx: several tracks [mp3]
Wckr Spgt: Live '91-'95 [mp3]
Double Dagger: several tracks [mp3]
Punk of Country: several tracks [mp3,wav] (via)
Chester Stacey: several tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: vinyl Christmas albums [mp3]*
The Walkmen: "Christmas Party" [mp3]
*registration required
Readers can once again leave largehearted comments. My hosting company chkmodded my comment scripts after an infestation of comment spam slowed my shared hosting server. Thankfully, once I realized what had happened, a quick trouble ticket resolved the issue.
The Arcade Fire: 2004-11-27, Minneapolis [flac]*
The Arcade Fire: 2004-10-02, Toronto Radio 3 session [flac]*
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-27, Atlanta [flac]*
Interpol: 2002-09-27, Detroit [flac]*
Neutral Milk Hotel: 1998-03-04, Carrboro [flac]*
Bob Dylan: 2004-11-18, Durham [flac]*
Over the Rhine: 2001-03-26, Indianapolis [flac]*
Peter Gabriel: 1978-09-15, Rockaplast [flac]*
Uncle Tupelo: 1992-02-20, Iowa City [flac]*
Wilco: 2004-07-03, Rockaplast [dvd]*
Green Day: 2004-11-22, live on Jimmy Kimmel [dvd]*
*registration required
Album releases are slowing down dramatically with the end of the year approaching. This week I'll be picking up several cd singles, most notably Joanna Newsom's The Sprout & the Bean. The domestic US release of Bonnie Prince Billy's No More Workhouse Blues will join import singles by the Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Devandra Banhart and the Delays in my shopping bag tomorrow. Hood's Lost You ep is also on my list. What am I missing?
The Jandek documentary, Jandek on Corwood, is finally officially released on dvd this week. This is a must-have addition to my growing dvd collection.
This week's interesting cd and dvd releases:
The Black Keys: Till I Get My Way/Girl Is on My Mind (import single) [cd]
Blueskins: Change My Mind ep [cd]
Bonnie Prince Billy: No More Workhorse Blues (single) [cd]
Delays: Lost in a Melody Pt.1 (import single) [cd]
Devendra Banhart: At the Hop (import single) [cd]
Flunk: Morning Star [cd]
Franz Ferdinand: This Fire (import single) [cd]
Harper Lee: All Things Can Be Mended [cd]
Hellacopters: Strikes Like Lightning (import single) [cd]
Hood: Lost You ep [cd]
Jay Z & Linkin Park: Collision Course (with dvd) [cd]
Joanna Newsom: Sprout & The Bean (single) [ep]
The Killers: Mr Brightside (import single) [cd]
Lemon Jelly: Stay With You (import single) [cd]
Ludacris: Red Light District [cd]
Mum: Dusk Log ep [cd]
Outrageous Cherry: Why Don't We Talk About Something Else ep [cd]
Pablo Neruda: La Voz Del Poeta V.1 (import) [cd]
Placebo: Once More With Feeling (bonus cd) [cd]
Polyphonic Spree: Two Thousand Places (import single) [cd]
Radio 4: State of Alert (import single) [cd]
Razorlight: Rip It Up Pt.1 (import single) [cd]
Razorlight: Rip It Up Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
REM: Aftermath Pt.1 (import single) [cd]
REM: Aftermath Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
Scissor Sisters: Mary (import single) [cd]
Simon & Garfunkel: Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 cd, 1 dvd) [cd]
Siouxsie & the Banshees: Down Side Up: B Sides & Rarities (import) [cd]
Twilight Singers: Too Tough to Die (import single) [cd]
Various Artists: Jetboys of Babylon: A Tribute To The New York Dolls [cd]
White Stripes: Jolene Live Under Blackpool Lights (import single) [cd]
2004 World Series - Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals [dvd]
The Boy in the Plastic Bubble [dvd]
Confessions of a Trickbaby [dvd]
DEAD BOYS - Live at CBGB's 1977 [dvd]
Do They Know It's Christmas [dvd]
Fishbone - Critical Times - Fishbone's Hen House Sessions [dvd]
French & Saunders Live: New Show [dvd]
Hero [dvd]
House of Yes - Live from the House of Blues [dvd]
Jandek on Corwood [dvd]
Kathy Griffin - Allegedly [dvd]
Lost in Space - Season 2, Vol. 2 [dvd]
Luther [dvd]
Northern Exposure - The Complete Second Season [dvd]
Prisoner Cell Block H (25th Anniversary Collector's Edition) [dvd]
Seabiscuit (PBS American Experience) [dvd]
Simon & Garfunkel - Old Friends, Live on Stage [dvd]
Spider-Man 2 (Full Screen Special Edition) [dvd]
Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Special Edition) [dvd]
Spider-Man 2 Gift Set (Widescreen Special Edition W/Comic Book/Postcards/Sketch Book/Photo Booklet) [dvd]
Tru Calling - The Complete First Season [dvd]
The New York Times reviews the new Nirvana box set, With the Lights Out.
MichNews.com gives thanks for bloggers.
The Chicago Tribune reviews several 2004 holiday music releases.
The Independent interviews and profiles Nick Denton, "America's first blog mogul."
Don't forget that the Internet Archive offers free and legal downloads of feature films.
The Guardian interviews playwright Marina Carr. "The moral police will be the death of art. Political correctness is destroying our literature and our poetry. There is a place for the moral high ground, but it is not art. You can't have the thought police looking over your shoulder when you are writing a play. You have to let the characters have their say. Plays are written with the imagination, not with the head."
iPodlounge lists "killer add-ons" for iTunes.
The Detroit Free Press offers non-fiction choices in its Holiday Book Guide 2004.
Denice Job wonders when she stopped listening to new music in the Washington Post.
Brick and mortar music stores are facing a difficult holiday season, according to Reuters.
The San Francisco Chronicle ponders the addition of columnists to Google's Orkut.
Dave.org has gathered links to BBC Radio streams.
The Inquirer interviews John Buckman, founder of Magnatune Records.
Hip Hop Blogs is a "group weblog that covers hip-hop music and culture."
The Telegraph's music critics list their top 50 cover songs.
The San Francisco Chronicle talks to the Automator of Handsome Boy Modeling School. "My audience will never say, hey, you're a rock star, you're like Motley Crue. They are music-heads -- more into its appreciation and deconstruction. If they come up to me, it's generally because they have questions about how I do something."
Top of the Pops to move from BBC 1 to BBC 2.
Wckr Spgt: holiday songs compilation [mp3]
Explosions in the Sky: 2004-10-15, Chicago [shn]
Hayseed Dixie: 2004-11-20, Aberdeen [flac]
Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven: 2004-06-13, Bonnaroo [mp3]
Bill Hicks: several live shows [mp3]
Dynah: several tracks [mp3]
The New Year: audio & video [mp3,mov]
BC Camplight: several tracks [mp3]
Dealership: many tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: Def Leppard songs [mp3,real]
The Bittorrent Brunch returns with a variety of lossless downloads. Shows by current bands like the Drive-By Truckers, Black Keys and the Killers are mixed with older shows by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pavement, and Julia Fordham. The gems of the list, though, are probably the Pixies studio demos and the Genesis outtakes from Selling England By The Pound.
The Black Keys: 2004-11-26, London [flac]
Drive-By Truckers: 2003-11-26, Washington [flac]
The Killers: television appearance compilation [dvd]*
Pixies: The Purple Tape 2 (studio demos) [flac]*
Pavement: 1996-01-11, Tokyo [flac]*
Julia Fordham: 1989-10-31, London [flac]*
Miles Davis Quintet: 1967, Karlsruhe [flac]*
Genesis: Selling England By The Pound outtakes [flac]
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians: 1986-11-26, Hoboken [flac]*
Jimi Hendrix Experience: 1967-06-17, Monterey [shn]
Hellthy offers a combination mp3 blog, podcast and online radio channel. Many genres are represented, and Jason of the wonderful Mystery and Misery is involved, so I'll definitely be a regular reader.
The Boston Herald lists 2004's music books of note.
The New York Post talks to Guided By Voices frontman Bob Pollard. "I'm the poor man's Peter Gabriel, after he left Genesis."
Jim DeRogatis lists his top ten music box sets for holiday gift-giving.
The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle profiles local bloggers.
The Strawberry Bricks Timeline of Progressive Prog Rock Music makes interesting Sunday reading.
The Denver Post excerpts from Michael Chabon's new novella, The Final Solution.
Buy a blogger for Christmas (on eBay, of course).
The Guardian wants pop, not poseurs.
Stereo Total: several rare tracks [mp3]
DeVotchKa: several tracks [mp3]
Big Eyes: several tracks [mp3]
Saloon: several tracks [mp3]
Kicker: several tracks [mp3]
Woodchuck: several tracks [mp3]
Mu-Kau: several tracks and samples [mp3]
Various Artists: winter tracks from Indie Pages [mp3,real]
Various (Visual) Artists: Art By Telephone [mp3]
Ant: "Cry Your Little Eyes Out" [wma]
Bad Livers: 1993-04-21, Birmingham [shn]
Aberfeldy: 2004-09-15, Planet Claire [mp3]
The Veils: 2004-01-25, Planet Claire [mp3]
Hoggboy: 2004-05-26, Planet Claire [mp3]
Thea Gilmore: 2004-01-21, Planet Claire [mp3]
The Stands: 2004-01-14, Planet Claire [mp3]
Bambix: several tracks [mp3]
Cookies Downtown: several tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks from Track & Fields Records [mp3]
Various Artists: local bands from the Phoenix indie papers [mp3]
Clearlake: 2004-03-17, KVRX [mp3]
El-P & Aesop Rock: 2003-03-14, KVRX [mp3]
Explosions in the Sky: 2000-10-24, KVRX [mp3]
Futureheads: 2004-09-16, KVRX [mp3]
High Llamas: live at KVRX [mp3]
I Am The World Trade Center: 2002-03-15, KVRX [mp3]
Idlewild: 2001-03-17, KVRX [mp3]
Japancakes: 2001-03-15, KVRX [mp3]
Pas/Cal: 2003-03-12, KVRX [mp3]
Wesley Willis: KVRX interview [mp3]
Bad Livers: 1997-03-01, World Cafe [shn]
Mandarin Dynasty: several tracks [mp3]
Juliet and the Spirits: "Sleepy Day" [mp3]
Loobke: "Water and Boots" ep [mp3]
Efterklang: several tracks and samples [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks courtesy of Opus Zine [mp3]
Grimble Grumble: "Third Song" [mp3]
The Aeffect: "Burning in the Bed on Fire" [mp3]
Various Artists: recordings from Sundays In Spring artists (label site)[mp3]
Outrageous Cherry: two tracks [mp3]
Today is US Thanksgiving, and I have much to be thankful for. Beyond a good wife, family, and friends, I am grateful for the community that has built around this site. Thanks to everyone for everything from music recommendations to helping my wife find me birthday presents. Your feedback and interaction make LHB a true labor of love.
Since this long four-day weekend will be filled with friends and family, the daily "shorties" and "bittorrent brunch" will return Monday. I'll still be posting the "daily downloads" first thing every morning, but the rest of my days will be filled with the occasional alcoholic beverage, laughs, too much food, and the revelry of friends and family. Did I mention football ? The American, British, Italian and Brazilian leagues will all make this holiday weekend even more enjoyable.
Two Camper Van Beethoven sets of demos are the gems in today's Bittorrent Brunch, enjoy.
Camper Van Beethoven: "Third Album" demos and outtakes [flac]*
Camper Van Beethoven: "Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart" demos [flac]*
Songs: Ohia: 2004-08-21, Oklahoma City [shn]
Radiohead: 2003-07-12, Ferrara [shn]*
Interpol: 2003-03-06, Boston [flac]*
Ani DiFranco: 2002-11-04, Paradise [flac]
Sun City Girls: 2004-06-04, Montreal [flac]*
Yo La Tengo, Annie Hayden, Jon Spencer, David Cross: 2001-12-16, Hoboken [flac]*
Beatles: alternate "Rubber Soul" [flac]*
Alison Krauss + Union Station: 2004-11-23, KCRW [flac]*
*registration required
Merry Christmas! is a holiday mp3 blog.
CBC Radio offers a stream of the Arcade Fire.
Billboard gives details of the solo album of Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley.
Filter gives the tracklist of Ben Lee's next record, due February 5th.
Is former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty really cool?
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer lists their favorite cookbooks to give as holiday gifts.
Two comic blogs are reviewed by Silver Bullet Comics.
This morning I started work very early, and (as usual) fired up an internet radio stream. Luckily for me, No Love For Ned has an excellent show this week, with an in-house performance by Hugh J. and the Picnic. As always, Ned opens up musical vistas, and getting to work before sunrise becomes bearable thanks to another music evangelist. Thanks, Ned.
Today's downloads are from artists featured on this week's No Love For Ned show.
Rocketfire Red: several tracks [mp3]
Billy Sugarfix: several tracks [mp3]
Birdbrain: two samples [mp3]
Sepia Hours: Five Thousand Steps ep [mp3]
AgPop: several tracks [mp3]
Jukeboxer: several tracks [mp3]
Bermuda Triangle Service: several tracks [mp3]
Love Letter Band: two tracks [mp3]
Telepathic Butterflies: several tracks [mp3]
The Homosexuals: two samples [mp3]
Back-to-back Guided By Voices shows are the leadoff downloads in today's bittorrent brunch. Asob Pollard leads the band into retirement, listen as some of the older tunes are dusted off and mix well with the band's newer output.
Guided By Voices: 2004-06-17, Champaign [flac]*
Guided By Voices: 2004-06-18, Iowa City [flac]*
Radiohead: 1994-12-02, Amsterdam [flac]
Barbara Cue: 2004-11-06, Oxford [flac]*
Wilco: 1993-03-11, Chicago (Tower Records in-store) [flac]*
Endochine: 2004-09-18, Austin City Limits Music Festival [flac]*
American Music Club: 1992-02-06, Copenhagen [flac]*
REM: 2004-11-17, Calgary [flac]*
Robyn Hitchcock: 2004-01-09, Hoboken [shn]*
Various Artists: Lifeform Project Vol. 1 [flac]
Flaming Lips: Says 'Sweet Jesus... It's The Lords Of Love Noise (two boots) [flac]*
*registration required
The Podcast Review reviews podcasts (duh).
Salon paints Elliott Smith as the"Tragic Rock Star."
David Sedaris talks boyfriends in the New Yorker.
Bright Eyes to do two separate tours next year to promote different albums.
The Christian Science Monitor offers their best fiction and nonfiction books of 2004.
The Washington Post reviews Thalia Zedek's Sunday show.
Britt Daniel: 2004-10-29, San Francisco [flac]
Saly Timms: 2004-11-10, New York [mp3,ogg,shn]
Crooked Fingers: several tracks & samples [mp3,ogg]
Christine Fellows: several tracks [mp3]
Auf Der Mar: radio session [mp3]
Veal: several tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: direct download of the Wired CD [mp3]
Auf Der Mar: videos [wmv]
Auf Der Mar: "Le Grande Secret (Making Of)" video [mov]
Crooked Fingers: "A New Drink For The Old Drunk" video [mov,wmv,real]
With shopping time short this week (US Thanksgiving is Thursday, making it a three day workweek for me, bt probably still at least 40 hours), I preordered the one album release that I had to have, the Nirvana box set.
In the dvd releases, I can't decide between the Seinfeld Gift Set (Seasons 1-3 with Original Script, Salt & Pepper Shakers, and Playing Cards) or picking up Seasons 1 & 2 and Season 3 individually.
What have I overlooked that is coming out this week? I'm hoping you can help me spend some of these leftover birthday gift cards.
Allison Krauss & Union Station: Lonely Runs Both Ways [cd]
Ann-Margret: Ann-Margret Xmas Carol Collection [cd]
Evanescence: Anywhere But Home (w/ bonus DVD) [cd]
Franz Ferdinand: This Fire (import single) [cd]
The Guild League: Inner North [cd]
Gwen Stefani: Love, Angel, Music, Baby [cd]
Jessica Simpson: Re-Joyce: The Christmas Album [cd]
Kevin Spacey: Beyond the Sea (soundtrack) [cd]
Lydia Lunch: Smoke in the Shadows [cd]
Nirvana: With The Lights Out (3CD box Set + dvd) [cd]
Pete Yorn: Live from New Jersey [cd]
Red Eyed Legends: Mutual Insignificance ep [cd]
Sarah McLachlan: Afterglow Live [dvd]
Scissor Sisters: Scissor Sisters Remixed [cd]
Shawn Colvin: Polaroids: A Greatest Hits Collection [cd]
The Thrills: Not for All the Love in the World Pt.1 (import single) [cd]
The Thrills: Not for All the Love in the World Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb [cd]
U2: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (Collector's Edition) [cd]
U2: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (deluxe limited edition) [cd]
Evanescence - Anywhere But Home [dvd]
The Golden Girls - The Complete First Season [dvd]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Full Screen Edition) [dvd]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Widescreen Edition) [dvd]
Harry Potter - Years 1-3 Collection (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone/Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets/Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) (6-Disc DVD Set) (Widescreen Edition) [dvd]
Home Improvement - The Complete First Season [dvd]
Homicide - Seasons 1-5 [dvd]
Jet - Family Style [dvd]
JK Rowling & The Birth of Harry Potter [dvd]
The Lizzie McGuire Show Boxed Set - Volume One [dvd]
Mark Knopfler: A Night In London [dvd]
Polaroids: Video Collection [dvd]
Ray Charles Celebrates: A Gospel Christmas w/Voices of Jubilation - Deluxe Edition (DVD/CD) [dvd]
Seinfeld Gift Set (Seasons 1-3 with Original Script, Salt & Pepper Shakers, and Playing Cards) [dvd]
Seinfeld - Seasons 1 & 2 [dvd]
Seinfeld - Season 3 [dvd]
Snow Patrol - Live At The Somerset House [dvd]
Star Wars Ewok Adventures - Caravan of Courage (aka The Ewok Adventure) / The Battle for Endor [dvd]
Star Wars Animated Adventures - Droids (The Pirates and the Prince / Treasures of the Hidden Planet) [dvd]
Star Wars Animated Adventures - Ewoks (The Haunted Village / Tales from the Endor Woods) [dvd]
The Terminal (Widescreen Edition) [dvd]
The Terminal (Widescreen 2-Disc Collector's Set) [dvd]
Nirvana Peel sessions, Drive-By Truckers shows, some acoustic Beatles demos and many other live performances make up today's bittorrent brunch.
Nirvana: Peel sessions [flac]*
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-11, Dallas [flac]
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-18, Asheville [flac]
Camper Van Beethoven: 2004-11-14, Richmond (both shows) [flac]
Yo La Tengo & Hypnolovewheel: 2001-12-14, Hoboken [flac]*
Elf Power: 2004-11-19, Chicago [flac]*
PJ Harvey: 1993-03-12 Peel session [flac]*
Beatles: acoustic sessions, May 1968 [flac]*
Neil Young: 1971-02-23, London (BBC studios) [shn]*
The Whigs: 2004-09-18, Atlanta [flac]*
*registration required
Camper Van Beethoven: 1990-02-09, Philadelphia [mp3,ogg,flac]
Radiohead: 2003-07-03, Paris [mp3]
Radiohead: 2003-08-15, Montreal (partial) [mp3]
Radiohead: 2003-12-08, Maida Vaile [mp3]
Cowboy Junkies: 2004-08-06, Austin [mp3,ogg,flac]
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: 1997-06-08, Hartford [shn]
Damien Rice: several tracks [mp3]
Sleater-Kinney: several tracks [mp3]
Elliott Smith: rare, live and unreleased tracks [real]
Stan Ridgway: several tracks [mp3]
The gem of today's Bittorrent Brunch is a collection of outtakes from Led Zeppelin's seminal album, Physical Graffiti. Other standouts are shows by the Fiery Furnaces, Morrissey, Nick Cave, and a 1964 performance by Ray Charles.
Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti outtakes and more [flac]*
Fiery Furnaces: 2004-10-13, Portland [flac]*
Interpol: 2004-09-21, Paris, Black session [flac]*
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-19, Winston-Salem [flac]
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: 2003-01-05, Rome [flac]*
REM: 1987-09-14, Utrecht [flac]*
Ray Charles: 1964 Los Angeles show [flac]*
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: 1994-09-18, Groningen [flac]*
Charles Mingus: 1964-04-14, Copenhagen [flac]*
Morrissey: 2004-04-11, Santiago [flac]
*registration required
The New York Times lists "the best of the very worst, or music's greatest misses."
Also from the New York Times, a list of new and recent notable books by immigrant authors.
The Guardian reminisces about the Manic Street Preachers' The Holy Bible album.
The Baltimore Sun laments that most people haven't read Isaac Bashevis Singer in his native Yiddish.
Game soundtrack of the year, 2005: Stubbs the Zombie.
Fa La La La La is a message board dedicated to "preserving the memories of Christmas vinyl past." The site will be posting holiday vinyl albums starting November 26th.
Trader Vic has updated The Propeller Club, the site dedicated to the 500 original vinyl releases of the Guided By Voices' Propeller album. #312 is available on eBay, and only $525 at the moment.
The Kansas City Star lists their "100 Noteworthy Books of 2004."
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff Jarvis proclaims that weblogs are here to stay.
Detroit's image takes another hit. Time to appoint Uncle Grambo to clean things up?
The Arizona Republic reviews last night's Wilco show, notably including a setlist.
Kings of Convenience: several shows [mp3] (some added since last mention)
Om Trio: two 2004 shows [mp3]
Andrew Bird: 2004-07-02, Toronto [mp3,ogg,flac]
CircleTakesTheSquare: several tracks [mp3]
CircleTakeTheSquare and others: live shows [mp3]
Takaru: several tracks [mp3]
Fiery Furnaces: RRR interview [wma]
Blood Brothers: "Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck" [mp3] from Crimes
David Wilcox: "Last One Gone" from Into the Mystery
Nina Nastasia: "Stormy Weather" [mp3]
Today's highlights in the Bittorrent Brunch are 1969 Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan Nashville sessions and Interpol's recent MTV studios appearance.
Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan: 1969 Nashville Sessions [flac]
Interpol: 2004-11-08, MTV studios [flac]
PJ Harvey: 1992-05-01, London [flac]*
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings: 1998-05-21, Charlottesville [flac]*
Marah: 2004-08-03, Northampton [flac]*
Black Sabbath: 1972-07-15, Dayton [flac]*
Frank Black: 2003-6-27, Paris [flac]*
Leonard Cohen: 1979-10-31, Rockpop TV special [dvd]*
George Harrison: The Apple Acetates [flac]*
Pedro The Lion: 2004-11-19, Grand Rapids [flac]*
*registration required
ThinkBlank is running Secret Santa again this year.
Stop by Atomic Books online, it's one of my favorite bookstores. Their blog covers "literary finds for mutated minds."
Simply The Best offers movie title fonts.
ChartAttack previews the two January 25th Bright Eyes releases.
Wired News studies sharing your iPod.
Coverville is a podcast that features "the best and the worst of cover songs."
The Globe and Mail examines the literary rise of the McSweeney media empire.
The Globe and Mail offers "rock 'n' roll road tips."
The Miami Herald reviews a recent Kraftwerk performance, calling it campy but mesmerizing.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives: 2001-05-30, Umea [mp3,ogg,shn]
Bad Livers: 2000-04-17, Chattanooga [flac]
Bearsuit: Jesus ep [mp3]
Barcelona: several tracks [mp3]
8bitpeoples: The 8bits of Christmas (and other albums) [mp3]
One Star Hotel: several tracks [mp3]
Eamonn Vitt: two tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks from Heartcore Records [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks from Pehr Records [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks from Monitor Records [mp3]
The Beatles collection of Christmas greetings to their fan club is the key feature of today's Bittorrent Brunch.
Beatles: The Complete Christmas Collection [flac]*
TV on the Radio: 2004-04-14, Toronto [flac]*
Guided By Voices: 2004-11-07, Houston [flac]*
Cramps: 1977 demos [flac]*
Lucinda Williams: 2003-07-18, Mountain View [shn]*
PJ Harvey: 1995-04-20, Modena [flac]*
Waterboys: Universal Hall Radio Sessions (acoustic) [flac]*
Bob Dylan: 2001-11-19, New York [flac]*
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: three 2002 shows [flac]*
Mastodon: 2004-11-12, Sayreville [flac]*
*registration required
Gogol Bordello is a band that sizzles with boundless energy. Their blend of punk and gypsy music is unique and most importantly, fun. The live shows are unforgettable, an experience you should not miss if given the opportunity. Here's an online mixtape to send you dancing into the weekend:
"Baro Foro" [mp3] from Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony
"Haltura" [mp3] from Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony
"Future Kings" [mp3] from Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony
"Sharkatch" [mp3] from Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony
"Start Wearing Purple" [mp3] from Voi-La Intruder
"Greencard Husband" [mp3] from Voi-La Intruder
"Unvisible Zedd" [mp3] from Voi-La Intruder
"Troubled Friends" [mp3] from Live at the Casbah
"Madagascar" [mp3] (unreleased)
JUF: "Last Wish of the Bride" [mp3] from Gogol Bordello Vs Tamir Muskat
Patterson Hood and Jason Isbell of the Drive-By Truckers talk to Asheville's Mountain Xpress.
For your alternative media pleasure: The WWW Shortwave Listening Guide.
Elvis Costello interviews Joni Mitchell in November's Esquire.
The Rocky Mountain News reviews Michael Chabon's new novella, The Final Solution: A Story of Detection. "This elegiac tale is as beautiful as it is strangely mysterious."
Bassist Peter Hughes blogged as the Mountain Goats wrapped up their latest album.
The Cure are not deluded by their revival.
The Advocate profiles John Water's Christmas compilation album.
Download Adult Swim promos and intros.
The iTunes Music Store RSS generator
Boston's "More Than a Feeling" vs. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Delicious (not deli.cio.us, though I love that, too) wins largehearted new software product of the year, hands down.
The Orlando Sentinel reviews the new Barbara Cue album, Rhythm Oil.
The New York Times reviews the Jandek documentary, Jandek on Corwood.
Dan Jon Miller of Blanche talks to the Boston Globe.
Figurine: several tracks [mp3]
The Ocean Blue: several tracks [mp3]
Django Haskins: several tracks [mp3]
The Old Ceremony: several demos [mp3]
The Slow Signal Fade: several tracks [mp3]
Death of a Party: several tracks [mp3]
Amy Tobin: several tracks [mp3]
Various Artists: samples from Esopus magazine's cd #3 [mp3]
Various Artists: tracks from Teenbeat Records [mp3,aac]
Red Eyed Legends: "Cold in the Sun" [mp3]
Today's main course is three Drive-By Truckers Texas shows from last week, as the band continues their support of The Dirty South. Side dishes include two more 1991 Yo La Tengo Hannukah performances, and shows by Richard Buckner, Will Oldham, Grant Hart, Bob Mould, and some Whiskeytown demos thrown in for seasoning. Enjoy.
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-14, Houston [flac]*
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-13, Austin [flac]*
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-11-12, Austin [flac]*
Yo La Tengo, Kali Fasteau, Janeane Garofalo: 2001-12-13, Hoboken [flac]*
Yo La Tengo & Plus Minus: 2001-12-11. Hoboken [flac]*
Richard Buckner: 2004-08-19, Asheville [flac]*
Will Oldham: 1994-09-02, Haarlem [flac]*
Grant Hart: 2002-01-31, Chicago [flac]*
Bob Mould: 1996-09-08, Minneapolis [flac]*
Whiskeytown: demos [flac]*
Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes. My birthday Monday was filled with friends, family, calories and thoughtful (and often surprising) gifts.
A big thank you goes out to everyone who gave my wife gift suggestions. For my birthday, she gave me the collected poems of Raymond Carver (Marc's suggestion), so he will be receiving a largehearted parcel by post soon. My wife sends her thanks, too, and may use a suggestion or two from that post for my Christmas presents.
Salon examines "the resurrection of Nick Cave."
iPod Zealot collects iPod news, articles and blog posts.
Frank Black talks to the Akron Beacon Journal. "Bands break up, some bands don't, some bands are able to get over and they do their reunion tour. I mean it's not like I'm an Arab and Kim's an Israeli."
Shopping at Borders, Waldenbooks or Borders Express any time through Sunday? Take a coupon.
The Daily Californian reviews Saturday night's San Francisco Guided By Voices show. "Robert Pollard might not be Roger Daltrey, but he does his darnedest. He giddily leaps and scissor-kicks with surprising ease for a man his age, and gleefully spins his microphone around-- just because he can."
The Motley Fool calls Google "G-nius."
The Pitch says goodbye to ODB.
Howe Gelb talks to Tucson Weekly.
Mercury Rev has finished recording their new album, The Secret Migration.
Several church leaders object to The Damned ceremoniously turning on the Cambridge (UK) Christmas lights. " "They are a punk rock band with very doubtful lyrics."
New York's SoHo Apple store has become the "latest singles hotspot," according to the New York Post.
Keanu Reeves will star in the next Spike Lee joint.
Like The Wind offers tips and tricks to optimize Winamp 5.
Iowa band Frankenixon will change their name to The Sword of Exactly on January 1st.
Author Michael Chabon talks to the Daily Californian. "There’s always been a pulp element to my stuff. There were gangsters and a jewel thief in 'Mysteries of Pittsburgh,' and a horror writer figured prominently into 'Wonder Boys. I think the day (of comics and literature intermingling) is upon us—distinctions are constantly being broken."
The Cornell Daily Sun reviews the new Boredoms album.
Flagpole asks, "What is new with the Summer Hymns?"
My Morning Jacket: 2004-06-01, New York [flac]
Electric Eel Shock: several tracks [mp3]
Division of Laura Lee: two tracks [mp3]
Wckr Spgt: Finger Food album [mp3]
Bluebottle Kiss: several tracks [mp3]
Vibracathedral Orchestra: several live excerpts [mp3]
Bearsuit: "Chargr" (new single) plus other tracks [mp3]
David Singer: "Wicked Little Town" [mp3]
Autolux: "Here Comes Everybody" [mp3] from Future Perfect
Junior Boys: "Birthday" from Last Exit
Information Leafblower has surveyed many music bloggers and published the consensus top 40 bands in America.
Looking at my contribution in retrospect, my list is populated mostly by bands who are on the rise both in visibility and artistically, but who I feel are the best US bands right now:
1. The Mountain Goats
2. Drive-By Truckers
3. Fiery Furnaces
4. Wilco
5. Rilo Kiley
6. Sufjan Stevens
7. Joanna Newsom
8. The Decemberists
9. Deerhoof
10. Devendra Banhart
Download last Thursday's Guided By Voices show to experience the last tour of this seminal indie band. Other nuggets in today's Bittorrent Brunch include shows by the Shins, Miles Davis and Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers.
Guided By Voices: 2004-11-11, San Diego [flac]*
The Shins: 2004-02-10, Washington [shn]
Patterson Hood & Friends: 2004-11-04, Athens [flac]*
Centro-matic: 2004-10-28,29,30, Iowa City, Madison, Chicago [flac]*
Morrissey: 2004-11-16, David Letterman show [mpg]*
Sleater-Kinney: 2003-07-09, New York [flac]*
U2: 2004-11-16, Dublin [flac]*
Miles Davis: 1970-04-11, San Francisco [shn]*
Richard Thompson: 1994-03-12, Seattle [flac]*
Neil Young: 1973-01-15, Toronto [shn]*
May his god of choice bless brooklynvegan for posting the Decemberists covering Joanna Newsom's "Bridges and Balloons." My musical worlds have collided and produced a diamond.
Wilco will perform on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic today at 11:20 am PST.
An Apple Store "lucky bag" would make an excellent holiday present for a mac fan (like me).
Christopher Buckley wins the Thurber Prize for American Humor. I can strongly recommend his novels The White House Mess and Thank You for Smoking, both had me giggling and laughing throughout.
Michaelangelo Matos reviews Bob Dylan's autobiography, Chronicles: Volume 1.
Canadian singer songwriter Julie Doiron talks to the Pulse of the Twin Cities. "I’ve always felt that my songs are quite hopeful. They may be a little melancholy, but I hear the hope in it. I think it all goes together—the music, the vocal melody, the lyrics—to me it ends up being hopeful, even if the emotion I’m singing about is sad."
Out in the Mountains interviews Tegan and Sara.
The Washington Post reviews Susan Cowsill's Monday night show.
Jack White will produce and co-write Brendan Benson's next album.
Bungle Fever offers bittorrent downloads of live, unreleased audio and video of artists including and related to Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, The Secret Chiefs 3, Neil Hamburger, Estradasphere, and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.
Rockin Rina offers a history lesson on the women of 1970's punk.
What's at the top of many Star Wars fan's holiday list? Leia's metal bikini.
Garrison Keillor has released the schedule of authors for his "Literary Friendships" series.
Will Ron Howard direct Tom Hanks in the film version of The DaVinci Code?
Macworld UK offers ten tips to survive MacExpo.
The anti-rockist protests too much, according to the Minneapolis City Pages.
The Chicago Tribune reviews MF Doom's Monday Abbey Pub show.
Ben Lee: 2004-11-14, Allentown [flac]
Jack Johnson: 2004-09-16, Austin City Limits Festival [mp3,ogg,flac]
Hayseed Dixie: 2004-11-13, Oslo [flac]
Eddie Vedder: 1994-02-23 & 24, New York (Who covers) [mp3]
Eddie Vedder: 2004-05-14, Seattle [mp3]
Pearl Jam: 2004-09-29, Boston [mp3]
Pearl Jam: 2004-10-02, Toledo [mp3]
Pearl Jam: 2004-10-03, Grand Rapids [mp3]
American Analog Set: live at KVRX [mp3]
Elf Power: live at KVRX [mp3]
The Walkmen: live at KVRX [mp3]
Two shows each by Wilco and Luna highlight today's Bittorrent Brunch.
Wilco: 2004-11-15, San Francisco [flac]
Wilco: 2004-11-10, Seattle [flac]
Luna: 2004-11-12, Chicago [flac]
Luna: 2004-11-11, Chicago [flac]
Drive-By Truckers: 2004-10-30, Chicago [flac]*
Bonnie Prince Billy: 2004-09-15, Byron Bay [flac]*
Robyn Hitchcock: 1993 A&M demos [flac]*
PJ Harvey: 2001-09-20, New York [flac]*
Bright Eyes: 2003-04-10, KCRW [flac]*
Sleater-Kinney: 2003-04-06, Woodlands [flac]*
Nick Cave: 2001-05-10, Berlin [flac]*
No Love For Ned has the wonderful Canadian singer songwriter Julie Doiron as an in-studio guest for his weekly streaming radio show. For even more Julie Doiron, listen to the morning mix cd I posted earlier this year.
Monkeyfilter lists their "musicblog listing 2.0."
USA Today lists upcoming political books.
Salon remembers ODB of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Bradley's Almanac is sharing the November 12th Arcade Fire show in Boston.
Wilcoworld is streaming the Wilco's Fillmore show.
Fight the flu with chicken soup, hand washing, and books by David Sedaris and Cynthia Heimel.
David Lee Roth's paramedic training is going well.
Microsoft partners with Garageband.com.
The Indianapolis Star examines Indiana bloggers.
NME is streaming the new U2 album.
Camper Van Beethoven: 2004-10-12, Washington [mp3,ogg,flac]
Cracker: 2004-11-12, Atlanta [mp3,ogg,shn]
Devendra Banhart: live at KVRX [mp3]
Magnetic Fields: live at KVRX [mp3]
Cat Power: live at KVRX [mp3]
Edith Frost: live at KVRX [mp3]
Manishevitz: several tracks [mp3]
Canasta: many tracks and samples [mp3]
Zapruder Point: live tracks and outtakes [mp3]
Two John Peel pieces [real]
Johnny Cash playing in Rick Rubin's living room and early U2 demos are two of the highlights in today's Bittorrent Brunch. Also of note, night three of Yo La Tengo's 2001 Hannukah residence at Maxwell's.
Johnny Cash: American I outtakes (1993) [flac]*
U2: "Shadows and Tall Trees" (early demos) [flac]*
Yo La Tengo & Antietam: 2001-10-12, Hoboken [flac]*
J Mascis & The Fog: 2004-11-13, Raleigh [shn]
J Mascis & The Fog: 2004-11-12, Charlotte [flac]*
Centro-matic: 2004-09-18 & 19, Austin [flac]*
Arthur Lee & Love: 2004-12-21, Brooklyn [flac]*
Bob Dylan: 2004-11-13, Rochester [shn]*
They Might Be Giants: 1990-04-28, Chicago [flac]*
Pavement: BBC sessions, 1995-1997 [flac]*
If you see someone singing this song with a smile on his face today, it's probably me:
"Jest's Birthday" by Kimya Dawson from Knock-Knock Who?
it's your birthday drink your pee take off your shirt day
captain noodle saves the day day
silly little chicken headed super hero laff loud manchild
doesn't need a push today gets to make a wish today
shaneena neeneena nay it's your birthday
twenty five and eleventeen and sometimes people are really mean
they'll stab you in the back and they'll punch you in the eye
they'll spit in your coffee and then laff when you cry
but me i would never purposely hurt you
i might give you a wet willie and a noogie or two
you are my brother from another mother
even when we argue we still love each other
it's your birthday drink your pee take off your shirt day
captain noodle saves the day day
silly little chicken headed super hero laff loud manchild
doesn't need a push today gets to make a wish today
shaneena neeneena nay it's your birthday
eleventeen and twenty five is a super duper long time to be alive
but you and me we've had our fun
think of all the wacky crazy messed up things we've done
like mp2k rock and rollin trying to be nice
singin dancin pissin pants avoiding pubic lice
remember the time we saw kenny g he wanted to hump you
that's what he told me
it's your birthday drink your pee take off your shirt day
captain noodle saves the day day
silly little chicken headed super hero laff loud manchild
doesn't need a push today gets to make a wish today
shaneena neeneena nay shaneena nee nee no nee no baby
shaneena nee nee no nay!
it's your birthday
The cash registers will be singing with new release sales this week. The Beatles box setand greatest hits collections from both Pearl Jam and Neil Young will be the perfect holiday gift for many music lovers. This week, armed with birthday gift cards and gift certificates, I'll be picking up The Dears' Protest ep, Oneida's Nice Splittin Peaches ep, MF Doom's MM... Food and Rufus Wainwright's Want Two. If I can find Cinerama's Up & Go, I'll add it to my bag as well.
The Kids in the Hall second season is out on dvd this week, and that's a must-purchase for me. The first season of Andy Griffith will make a perfect gift for my wife. For the musicians: D.I.Y. Or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist offers interviews with Ian MacKaye, J Mascis and others.
Is there anything I have missed? Anything else a must-listen?
Interesting cd and dvd releases this week:
The Archies: Best of the Archies (remastered) [cd]
The Beatles: The Capitol Albums Vol. 1 [cd]
Brian Jonestown Massacre: Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: Retrospective [cd]
Cinerama: Up & Go [cd]
Clay Aiken: Merry Christmas With Love [cd]
Cristina: Sleep It Off (reissue with extra tracks) [cd]
David Bowie: Bowie at Beeb: Best of BBC Radio 68-72 [cd]
Dears: Protest ep [cd]
Flaming Stars: Named & Shamed [cd]
Lil Jon & East Side Boyz: Crunk Juice [cd]
Long Ryders: Best of the Long Ryders [cd]
Massive Attack: Danny the Dog [cd]
Megadeath: The Complete Remasters (box set) [cd]
MF Doom: Mm..Food [cd]
Neil Young: Greatest Hits [cd]
Oneida: Nice Splittin Peaches ep [cd]
Pearl Jam: rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003) [cd]
Peter Himmelman: My Lemonade Stand [cd]
Prince: Cinnamon Girl single [cd]
Rufus Wainwright: Want Two (CD/DVD combo) [cd]
Thai Elephant Orchestra: Elephonic Rhapsodies [cd]
U2: Vertigo Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
Various Artists: Blue Note's Greatest Sessions (box set) [cd]
Yes: House of Yes: Live From the House of Blues [dvd]
Andromeda Season 4 Volume 4.3 [dvd]
The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete First Season [dvd]
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - The First Three Volumes [dvd]
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Volume Three [dvd]
Bigg Snoop Dogg's Puff Puff Pass Tour [dvd]
Blondie Live [dvd]
Blondie - VH-1 Behind the Music [dvd]
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - The Complete Series [dvd]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Seventh Season [dvd]
Charles Mingus:Live at Montreux 1975 [dvd]
Chuck D's Hip Hop Hall of Fame, Vol. 1 [dvd]
D.I.Y. Or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist [dvd]
Early Life of a Legend (Kurt Cobain) [dvd]
Elf (Infinifilm Edition) [dvd]
Fanny and Alexander (Special Edition Five-Disc Set) - Criterion Collection [dvd]
Fanny and Alexander (The Theatrical Version) - Criterion Collection [dvd]
The Hebrew Hammer [dvd]
House of Yes - Live from the House of Blues [dvd]
The Iron Giant (Special Edition) [dvd]
The Kids in the Hall - Complete Season 2 [dvd]
Live Aid [dvd]
Norah Jones and The Handsome Band - Live in 2004 [dvd]
The Office - The Complete Collection (First And Second Series Plus Special) [dvd]
The Office Special [dvd]
Pee-wee's Playhouse #1 - Seasons 1 and 2 [dvd]
Pee-wee's Playhouse #2 - Seasons 3-5 [dvd]
Peter Gabriel - Play [dvd]
Queen - On Fire at the Bowl [dvd]
Ray Charles - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival (with cd) [dvd]
Ray Charles - O Genio - Live in Brazil 1963 [dvd]
Richard Pryor - I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (Uncensored) [dvd]
Rooney - Spit & Sweat [dvd]
The Saddest Music in the World [dvd]
Shane MacGowan & The Popes - Live at Montreux 1995 [dvd]
Short Cuts - Criterion Collection [dvd]
Smallville - The Complete Seasons 1-3 [dvd]
Smallville - The Complete Third Season [dvd]
Space Ghost Coast To Coast - Volumes 1 and 2 [dvd]
Space Ghost Coast to Coast - Volume 2 [dvd]
Jeff Tweedy is interviewed by Wired News. "Stop trying to treat music like it's a tennis shoe, something to be branded. If the music industry wants to save money, they should take a look at some of their six-figure executive expense accounts. All those lawsuits can't be cheap, either."
DJ Martian lists expected 2005 album releases. Two I am eagerly awaiting: Jason Isbell's (of Drive-By Truckers) solo effort and Desaparecidos sophomore record.
Robbie McCown and his mp3 blog, Womenfolk, garner a mention in the Vacaville Reporter's article on local bloggers. (Womenfolk link)
Time Europe wonders if RSS feeds can be profitable for content providers.
Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme denies hitting Dwarve with beer bottle.
U2 talks to Time magazine about making their new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
National Book Award nominee Lily Tuck talks to NPR's All Things Considered.
Nashville's City Paper profiles local band The Pink Spiders.
All Baseball's Dodger Thoughts reminisces on the year in baseball blogging.
Camper Van Beethoven: 2004-11-12, Atlanta Criminal Records in-store [mp3,ogg,shn]
Camper Van Beethoven: 2004-11-12, Atlanta [mp3,ogg,shn]
Ben Lee: 2004-11-13, Bucknell University [flac]
Los Lonely Boys: 2001-03-17, Austin [flac]
Sebadoh: live at KVRX [mp3]
Papas Fritas: live at KVRX [mp3]
Mojave 3: live at KVRX [mp3]
Deathray Davies: live at KVRX [mp3]
Paul Westerberg: several tracks from 2004-11-05 & 2004-11-07 [mp3]
Rilo Kiley: "It's A Hit" video from Jimmy Kimmel Live [mov]
Stephen Malkmus: 2004-10-23, Buenos Aires [shn]
Kevn Kinneys Sun Tangled Angel Revival: 2004-11-09, Raleigh [shn]
Modest Mouse: 2004-11-13, Saturday Night Live [dvd]*
Modest Mouse: 2004-08-27, Redaing Festival [flac]*
Golden Smog: 1994-10-17, Minneapolis [shn]*
Lou Reed: 1990-07-30, Osaka [flac]*
Robyn Hitchcock: 2004-11-08, Cleveland [flac]
New Order: 1984-08-25, BBC Basement Session [flac]*
Peter Gabriel: Ashcombe Works demos [flac]*
The Smiths: 1986-12-12, Brixton Academy [flac]*
Chapel Hill's WXYC is celebrating their tenth webcasting anniversary by offering a downloadable mix cd of local artists. (Please use the bittorrent option if you can to save the station's bandwidth). Viva internet radio!
The New York Times wonders if Hüsker Dü will reunite.
Editor & Publisher examines blogs' effects on the US presidential election.
The band My Vitriol has a weblog (via the "Annual My Vitriol progress Report" in Drowned In Sound).
Director Jonathan Demme talks music and filmmaking with the Scotsman.
The New York Times spends a night out with Autolux.
Jarvis Cocker of Pulp remembers John Peel in the Guardian.
Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos and Paul Thompson fought after a recent Paris show. "Onlookers described it as 'handbags at 50 paces' because neither of the skinny stars landed a serious blow during the fight in the Zenith club."
Rockism is so yesterday. ILMism is today's discussion.
The Houston Chronicle chronicles the Drive-By Truckers. "Their songs are edgy and conflicted, yanked from the salty soil between regional pride and shame."
The Baltimore Sun isn't overly impressed with Michael Chabon's new novella, The Final Solution: A Story of Detection.
Deutsche Wella offers what the US could learn from blogs and blog competitions.
The BBC is blogging the recording of the new Band Aid single.