Some people see Christmas/Hanukkah/the Winter Solstice/Festivus as a time for family and friends and celebrating the inherent warmth and goodness in us all. Others view these as tired traditions, cooked up to fuel rampant consumerism and act as a means of torture by making you choose between frostbite and spending time with Uncle Maurice. And others just try to get by through the oceans of eggnog and terrible, terrible sweaters. But we here at CoS believe you don’t have to choose between being jolly and celebrating something earnest and true. While Santa Claus may be giving gifts of toys and goodies, we’re giving the gifts of hope and creativity with our annual Holiday Gift Guide. It’s way better than that fire truck you wanted for Xmas ’96.

Now you may be asking yourself, “How does just another list of items to buy offer up anything of any real value?” Well, children, come sit down by the fire as we weave our explanation like popcorn strings on a Christmas tree. It’s true that some of these music-related gifts are just fun or silly, like the Official DEVO Yellow Suit (page eight) or the Illustrated “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. (page seven). But the rest of the gifts, ranging from the Dinosaur, Jr. Cassette Trilogy (page two) to the Z.vex Effects Instant guitar petal (page nine) all have slightly more value than being great gag gifts (or to wear as kickin’ costumes next Halloween). These may be material goods, and sometimes overpriced material goods at that, but don’t forget what you’re ACTUALLY giving: music. Not just sounds or noise that are either enjoyable or total rubbish, but something that can reshape emotions and create new, life-altering experiences for someone.

By giving something like The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition DVD, you’re telling someone you love, “Hey, this could change your life for the better and make you see things in a whole new way.” That is the promise of music, why people obsess over it and try to cram every sound and every tiny detail and unimportant contextual nuance into a $17 DVD or a $140 box set or a $12 CD. It’s one gift that can actually make someone’s life better and spread honest-to-goodness cheer in a time of year when people cram boxes with meaningless ties and perfume sets that dilute the reason for the season. Music is the one thing that transcends all the junk of the holiday season, like a red-nosed reindeer through a blizzard, to get at the heart of why we celebrate in the first place: connecting with people on a truly deep, meaningful level and cherishing those aforementioned bonds.

So whether you’re buying for yourself or a loved one, take a good, hard look through our Holiday Gift Guide and see if you can spread a little ho-ho-happiness. That way, you’re giving someone special something unique that they could never find elsewhere. And if they re-gift it to you next year, then that’s cool too, right?

-Chris Coplan
News Editor

P.S. – From ours to yours, have a safe and prosperous holiday season.

P.P.S. – Be sure to bookmark our guide and check back often as we’ll be posting new ideas throughout the holiday season.

Box Sets

The Beach Boys: The Smile Sessions Box Set

What: The long-awaited “lost” Beach Boys album receives the lush, deluxe treatment reserved for the finest audiophiles. Over five CDs, two LPs, and two 7″ singles, SMiLE finally comes to life, featuring myriad session recordings, alternate takes, early demos, and the proposed unfinished album. The story continues with the set’s 60-page companion book, stuffed to both ends with lyrics, Frank Holmes drawings, unreleased photos, production notes, anecdotes from surrounding family and friends, and, naturally, liner notes by the band. Throw in a 24″ x 36″ poster and put it all in a three-dimensional shadow box lid…and it’s difficult to avoid smiling. -MR

Buy: Available now for $139.99 via Amazon.com.

Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 Deluxe Edition

What: The legendary hip-hop trio repackages their 2011 album in a two-disc, deluxe edition set. Available on both DVD and Blu-ray, the set includes the long and short versions of the star-studded Fight For Your Right Revisited film, the Spike Jonze-directed music video “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win”, and a 130-page hardback book featuring behind-the-scenes photos of the making of Fight For Your Right Revisited. Order through the group’s website and also receive a Stuyvesant Phys. Ed T-Shirt. -AY

Buy: Available November 25th exclusively at participating independent record stores as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday promotion. A limited number of sets is also available for $88.98 via the group’s website.

The Dear Hunter: The Color Spectrum: The Complete Collection

What: The 36-tracks constituting the tremendous 9-EP undertaking The Color Spectrum from Casey Crescenzo’s band The Dear Hunter are collected here on three CDs. Also included is a DVD containing more than two hours of footage from Crescenzo’s country-spanning journey recording the effort with a variety of producers and fellow musicians. The final piece is a 52-page booklet of pictures, lyrics and insight about the collection. -BK

Buy: Available now digitally ($34.99) and on CD($24.69) via Amazon.com. Both the limited edition collection of nine colored vinyls and the deluxe wood box set have sold out, so good luck with that.

Dinosaur, Jr.: Cassette Trilogy

What: Limited to just 500 copies and encased in a custom wooden box, the set packs cassette copies of Dinosaur Jr.’s first three albums — 1985′s Dinosaur, 1987′s You’re Living All Over Me, and 1988′s Bug. In addition, the wooden box features the classic Dinosaur Jr. ‘monster’ artwork. -AY

Buy: Available now for $39 via Joyful Noise Recordings. Note: only 350 copies are available for purchase online, with the remaining 150 copies to be sold on the band’s December West coast tour.

The Doors: LA. Woman Singles Box

What: Billed as a “one-of-a-kind limited, serial-numbered box set” commemorating the 40th anniversary of The Doors’ landmark album, L.A. Woman Singles Box packs classic tracks “The Changeling”, “Riders on the Storm”, and “Love Her Madly”, backed with newly-discovered and never-before-heard alternate takes of each song, and a fourth single of never before-released studio banter. The box artwork also includes the original Messianic image of the naked woman nailed to the telephone pole used for the album’s inner sleeve. -AY

Buy: Available November 25th for $49.98 exclusively at participating independent record stores as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday promotion.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook!!!

What: Limited to just 1,500 copies, the set features a CD, DVD, and 10-inch vinyl EP of material from Elvis Costello’s two-night stint at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on May 11th and 12th, 2011. The CD comprises 16 tracks from both nights, the 10″ features four live cuts, and the DVD packs footage of the entire second night, including a special appearance from The Bangles. In addition to the music, the box set contains a 40-page hardcover book of photos, a diary from Costello detailing each gig, a 20″ x 30″ concert tour poster, a limited edition postcard, and a replica spinning wheel to play with at your discretion. -CC

Buy: Available December 6th for $268.29 via Amazon.com.

John Fahey: Your Past Comes Back to Haunt You

What: Like John Fahey?  Want to hear some of his earliest recordings, taped in a dingy basement in Frederick, MD?  Want to listen to hella-old reel-to-reel tapes of him drunkenly answering questions about his music and career interspersed between some insanely beautiful acoustic guitar playing? Well then, what better way to ring in the holiday spirit than six hours over 115 unearthed, remastered tracks of early John Fahey recordings over 5 discs, an 88-page book chronicling the legendary picker’s life, rare photographs of the guy, and some ill packaging?  Not much, not much. -DL

Buy: Available now for $69.56 via Amazon.com.

Leonard Cohen: The Complete Albums Collection 

What: The 18-disc box set compiles Leonard Cohen’s 17 studio and live albums, from his 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen up to 2009?s live release Songs From the Road. Each CD in the set is remastered from original analogue master tapes and housed in a mini-LP replica jacket based on their original artwork. In addition, the package includes a 36-page booklet full of “discographical annotations and recording information, as well as a 1,300-word essay by Pico Iyer. -AY

Buy: Available now for $119.99 via Leonard Cohen Global Store. An 11-disc set compiling only his studio albums is also available for purchase.

Mickey Newbury: An American Trilogy

What: Mickey Newbury may just be one of country music most criminally-underheard artists. More closely related to artists like Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt than Conway Twitty, Newbury’s soft songs are full of weighted emotion and beautiful lyrical imagery. A perfect introduction to a hidden gem, An American Trilogy box set collects arguably his three greatest albums from the late 1960s/early ’70s (It Looks Like Rain, ‘Frisco Mabel Joy, and Heaven Help the Child) as well as a fourth disc of rare demos and outtakes. -AT

Buy: Available now for $71.97 via Amazon.com. Vinyl editions of each disc are also available separately via Drag City’s online store.

Neutral Milk Hotel Vinyl Box Set

What: The vinyl-only box set comprises every single one of Neutral Milk Hotel’s albums and EPs along with some 15 unreleased tracks. Among the items included are the band’s two LPs (1996′s On Avery Island and 1998′s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea), a 7″ single of two never-before-released songs in “You’ve Passed” (b/w “Where You’ll Find Me Now”), another 7″ single of unreleased and live versions of “Little Birds”, a picture disk 7″ single of “Holland, 1945″, and a 10″ EP called Ferris Wheel on Fire featuring eight unreleased acoustic recordings. -CC

Buy: Available November 22nd for $88 via the band’s official website. All of the included tracks will also be available at a pay-as-you-please price via his Bandcamp account.

Pink Floyd Discovery Box Set

What: Fourteen albums. Sixteen CDs. One 60-page artwork booklet. From 1967′s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn up to 1994′s The Division Bell, this set collects it all, making it an absolute gem for any Pink Floyd fan, both new or old. So, if you’ve got a loved one begging to go on a trip, consider this your cheapest (and most worthwhile) option. See you on the other side. -MR

Buy: Available now for $178.99 via Amazon.com.

Phish: Hampton/Winston-Salem ’97

What: The long-awaited sound recordings of Phish’s first two-night stint at Hampton, VA’s Hampton Coliseum (aka the “Mothership”) from November 21st and 22nd of 1997, accompanied by the live recording of the band’s follow-up performance at Lawrence Joel Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC, on November 23rd. Re-mastered by Fred Kevorkian, the seven-CD box set contains all the music performed over those three nights (45 songs, over eight hours across seven discs), plus never-before-heard material from soundchecks at both venues. -DS

Buy: Available December 6th in various formats: 7-CD box set ($39.99), ALAC ($34.97), FLAC (34.97), and MP3 (26.87) via LivePhish.com.

Ray Charles: Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles

What: Containing the A and B-sides of 53 singles (that’s 106 songs) on five CDs, Ray Charles’ Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singlesis exactly what it says it is. The box set holds every single Charles released while signed to ABC-Paramount Records between 1960 and 1972, a peak era for a musician who had finally found “mainstream” success. Out of the 106 digitally remastered tracks included, 21 will be having their first ever digital release, while 30 are debuting on CD. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD and digitally for $42.98 via Amazon.com.

Rivers Cuomo: The Pinkerton Diaries + Alone III

What: In 237 pages, The Pinkerton Diaries gives unparalleled insight into Rivers Cuomo’s mind from 1994 to 1997, the period in which Weezer’s landmark album Pinkerton was formed. Beginning on the day of The Blue Album’s May 10th ’94 release, the book collects Cuomo’s “journals emails, letters, photos and school papers” alongside “lyric notebooks, music compositions, and studio notes from the Pinkerton sessions.” First editions are hand numbered. The companion album, Alone III, contains 26 demos of both released and unrealized tracks, all recorded during the years recounted in the book. -BK

Buy: Set for a December 12th release, pre-orders are ongoing Cuomo’s website: book and CD for $75, and a premium pack with t-shirt, lithograph, and post-card set for $135.99.

Rush: Sectors

What: Compiling Rush’s 15-album, 14-year run on Mercury Records, the three separate six-disc box sets each include five chronological CDs and a 5.1 surround sound DVD. Sector 1 comprises the band’s 1974 self-titled debut and ends with their first live album, 1976′s All the World’s a Stage. Sector 2 features 1981′s Moving Pictures and 1977′s A Farewell to Kings, which also gets the DVD treatment. Sector 3 starts with 1982′s Signals and concludes with 1988′s double live album, A Show of Hands. Each Sector comes with a booklet of photos and lyrics, with all three boxes forming a Rush CD road case. –CC

Buy: Available November 21st, Sector 1, Sector 2, and Sector 3 each cost $48.46 via Amazon.com.

Sigur Rós: Inni

What: Directed by Vincent Morisset, Inni compiles footage of Sigur Rós’ 2008 performance at London’s Alexandra Palace, their final show before embarking on an indefinite hiatus. A limited deluxe edition set includes the film and a corresponding live album, a 7″ single featuring a previously unreleased cut called “Lúppulagid”, an exclusive and unique-to-each-box artefact from the show itself in a numbered, printed envelope a DVD of the 5-minute short “Klippa”, and more, all of which are packaged in a printed 7″ sized 4 panel slitpack. -AY

Buy: Available now for $79 via the band’s website. A standard edition, comprising just the film and the album, as well as a digital edition are also available.

 The Smiths Complete: Deluxe Box Set

What: In an effort to bankrupt every fan of The Smiths, Rhino Records UK has put together the ultimate box set for completists, vinyl enthusiasts, and, well, any self-respecting music fan. Titled The Smiths – Complete, the forthcoming package features remastered editions of The Smiths’ eight albums (by Johnny Marr, no less), both on CD and 180-gram audiophile vinyl, in addition to all 25 of the group’s singles on individual 7?. They also decided to throw in some prints, a few posters, and a DVD of the group’s music videos. Just remember, we’ve got a very long winter ahead of us. Best to plan accordingly. -MR

Buy: Available now for $499.98 via Rhino Records. CD or vinyl-only box sets are also available.

Sting: 25 Years

What: The four-disc set comprises 45 remastered tracks that were “personally curated by Sting”, in addition to Rough, Raw & Unreleased: Live At Irving Plaza, a previously unreleased live concert DVD. It’s all housed in a hardcover book containing intimate and rare photos from world renowned photographers, complete lyrics, personal commentary and a newly written introduction by Sting. -MR

Buy: Available now as a 3 CD/DVD set for $119.99 via Amazon.com.

U2: Achtung Baby: Uber Deluxe Edition

Buy: A box set which truly lives up to its name, the Uber Deluxe Edition of U2′s landmark album Achtung Baby packs six CDs, including the original album, the follow-up Zooropa, B-sides, and re-workings of previously unheard material recorded during the Achtung Baby sessions. Also squeezed in are four DVDs featuring the new Achtung Baby-focused documentary From The Sky Down, the concert film Zoo TV:Live From Sydney, and all the videos from Achtung Baby, in addition to bonus material. And if that weren’t enough, the set also includes the album’s five singles pressed on clear 7″ vinyl and packaged in their original sleeves, 16 art prints taken from the original album sleeve, an 84-page hardback book, a copy of Propagandamagazine, four badges, a sticker sheet, and, yes, a pair of Bono’s trademark glasses, with all of the above comes contained in magnetic puzzle tiled box. -AY

What: Available now for $434.99 via Amazon.com. A Super Deluxe Edition, a Deluxe Edition, a vinyl-only box set, and a standard CD release are also available.

The Who: Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut

What: Spanning five discs and 60 tracks, the Quadrophenia box set includes a re-master of the original double album, 25 demos from Pete Townshend’s archives, including five songs not on the album that portray the original version of the Quadrophenia concept, an eight-track DVD titled The Quadrophenia 5.1, and a replica 7″ of the hit single “5.15″ (b/w “Water”). In addition to the music, the set also includes a 100-page hard-back book featuring a 13,000-word essay by Townshend that sheds light on the band during the album’s recording, as well as a track-by-track guide to the demos and studio diary entries. -CC

Buy: Available now for $143.99 via Amazon.com. Double vinyl and digital editions are also available.

Books

Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Music Made New in New York City in the ’70s

What: Do you ever wish you could have experienced New York City in the ’70s? Maybe witness the birth of punk rock, loathe the spawn of disco, and get lost in all the in-betweens? Rolling Stone‘s senior critic Will Hermes takes you there; more specifically, from New Year’s Day 1973 to New Year’s Eve of 1977. It’s a first person account of one of the most culturally rich movements in music history, and it’s all for your leisurely reading. Better yet, you don’t need a Delorean to experience it. -MR

Buy: Available now for $18.81 via Amazon.com.

Moby: Destroyed

What: If you’re a popular DJ, you’re wanted. Everywhere. For nearly 30 years, Moby has hit the live circuit, traversing far and away to share his ambiant electronica. For his latest album, Destroyed, the vegan multi-instrumentalist put together an accompanying book of photography of the same name. With shots everywhere from Berlin to Sumatra to Minnesota to Budapest, Moby shares his sights, all to the soundtrack of his own latest sounds, which come packaged with the book. Who says you need Sky Miles these days? -MR

Buy: Available now for $26.37 via Amazon.com.

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam Twenty

What: Remember the whole books on tape craze? Well, this is sort of the reverse of that. Help a loved one celebrate 20 years of grunge’s most enduring rockers with 384 pages (and 3.5 pounds) of exclusive photos, behind-the-scenes tales, interviews (with the band and their contemporaries), and assorted goodies (playlists, tour notes, and drawings). Besides, does he really need another flannel shirt?  -MM

Buy: Available now for $23.67 via Amazon.com.

Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism

What: Writer Chuck Eddy collects various essays, reviews, and interviews in this anthology that spans over 30 years. As a writer for Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Creem, Spin, and Vibe, Eddy has interviewed everyone from the Beastie Boys to Robert Plant, Flaming Lips to Eminem’s grandmother. Widely considered one of the first critics of indie rock, Eddy’s collection of writing should easily find its way next to your Chuck Klosterman books. Hey, what do you know, good ol’ Chuck writes the foreword here, too. Consider that a more prominent endorsement than what we could ever make. -MR

Buy: Available now for $16.47 via Amazon.com.

Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction To Its Own Past

What: Sick of throwbacks? Sick of obscure 80′s references? Feel like retro-chic has transformed into retro-shit? Early on in Retromania, Simon Reynolds asks, ”Could it be that the greatest danger to the future of our music culture is … its past?” If you need a bead on how we digest pop-culture and pop-culture may be heading, this is the book. Required reading for tavern philosophers and micro-genre nerds. -JL

Buy: Available now for $12.24 via Amazon.

Unite and Take Over: Stories Inspired by the Songs of The Smiths

What: Who says all heroes have to wear tights? What about a sick hairdo and some pinstripes for the head? That’s all Morrissey works with – well, that and a seemingly endless supply of lyrical poetry. Using Kickstarter for funding, SpazDog Press publisher Shawn Demumbrum worked alongside some of his favorite comic book artists to bring a series of Smiths-influenced stories to paper. The end result is a 172-page graphic novel that spans 13 different stories, all of which stemmed from songs like “How Soon Is Now?”,”Cemetery Gates”, “Handsome Devil”, and more. Think of it this way: Wouldn’t Moz look pretty sweet sharing shelf space with The Long Halloween? The answer is a resounding yes. -MR

Buy: Available now for $14.99 via Corner Store Comics. Only 300 copies. Act fast.

Films

Adele: Live at the Royal Albert Hall

What: A 90-minute concert film and corresponding live album of Adele’s September 2011 performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The tracklist includes smash hits “Rolling in the Deep,” “Turning Tables,” and “Someone Like You” alongside covers of Bonnie Riatt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and the SteelDrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”. In addition, the film packs previously unreleased behind-the-scenes footage. -CC

Buy: Available November 29th on DVD/CD ($13.99) and Blu-ray/CD ($21.99) via Amazon.com.

The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Edition

What: The three-disc set digs deep into Neil and Peggi Young’s annual charity concert, with appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, Band of Horses, Thom Yorke, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and many, many more musical elite. All profits from the release will go directly to The Bridge School. -CC

Buy: Available now on DVD ($19.99) via Amazon.com. A corresponding live album is also available.

Foo Fighters: Back and Forth

What: In April 1994, Kurt Cobain committed suicide, shocking the world and putting an end to one of the most vibrant acts in rock ‘n’ roll history. Out of its ashes, however, came an unlikely story: a raucous and catchy debut from the band’s shy drummer. Since the mid-’90s, Dave Grohl has been the amicable spokesman of the Foo Fighters, complete with his trademark grin. But, it hasn’t always been laughs and parties. In the group’s 16-year-long existence, the band has seen its share of turmoil, despite the goofy videos and no frills rock ‘n’ roll. Director James Moll’s 135 minute documentary, Back and Forth, captures this story with full details, interviewing not only its current members, but those of yesteryear. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll rock out. -MR

Buy: Available now on DVD ($16.99) and Blu-Ray ($20.99) via Amazon.com.

Kylie Minogue: Aphrodite Les Folies – Live in London

What: This holiday season, Kylie Minogue’s most extravagant (and successful) tour to date jumps off the stage and onto your HD television with Aphrodite Les Folies: Live in London, a two-hour concert CD/DVD recorded this past April at London’s O2 Arena. Directed by William Baker and Marcus Viner, the performance includes plenty of hits from Minogue’s back catalog, in addition to recent radio stompers off last year’s LP, Aphrodite. In addition to the concert film itself, the DVD and Blu-ray releases also feature an exclusive tour documentary. -MR

Buy: Available November 29th on DVD/CD ($20.25) and Blu-Ray ($29.49) via Amazon.com.

Peter Gabriel: New Blood: Live in London

What: New Blood: Live in London features concert footage filmed over two days at The Hammersmith Apollo during Peter Gabriel’s tour last spring. The setlist consists of 22 classics (“Wallflower”, “In Your Eyes”) and covers (Paul Simon’s “The Boy In The Bubble”, Regina Spektor’s “Après Moi”) backed by the 46-piece New Blood Orchestra. The film is offered on Blu-ray, DVD, and a 3D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. A deluxe edition includes the DVD, regular Blu-ray, the New Blood double CD, plus the bonus Blood Donors documentary with an interview from Gabriel, all housed in 60-page hardcover photobook of over 200 pictures. -BK

Buy: Available now on DVD ($11.99), Blu-ray ($13.99), 3D combo pack ($24.99), and as deluxe edition ($89.99) via Amazon.com.

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam Twenty

What: Cameron Crowe’s fascinating and intimate documentary on Pearl Jam’s 20 year-long history is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Chiseled down from over 1,200 hours of footage, some of which dates back to before the band’s inception, Pearl Jam Twenty offers an in-depth look into the legendary Seattle collective history, following the group through its many trials and tribulations. The standard release sports over 26 minutes of never-before-seen footage, while the deluxe release – available only via Ten Club (and currently sold out) – comes packaged as a three-disc set, featuring Crowe’s original cut of the documentary (The Kids Are Twenty) and an 80-minute fan film (The Fans Are Alright). Good luck. -MR

Buy: Available now on DVD ($17.99) and on January 3rd for Blu-Ray ($14.99) via Amazon.com. The deluxe edition, while sold out over at Pearl Jam’s Ten Club, is available for a range of prices ($150-250) via Ebay.com.

Radiohead: The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement

What: Originally released as a 55-minute television broadcast in Summer 2011, The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement sees Radiohead performing eight track from The King of Limbs in addition to three previously unreleased cuts (“Staircase”, “The Daily Mail”, and “Supercollider”). The DVD’s physical release also includes a 32-page book, featuring photographs by Steve Keros. -AY

Buy: Available in early 2012 on DVD (£ 16.00) and Blu-ray (£ 26.00) via the band’s website. Both editions include a digital download available beginning December 19th.

Talking Heads: Chronology [Deluxe Edition]

What: Follow David Byrne and Talking Heads from CBGB to their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with this career-spanning collection of 18 live performances. Extras include audio commentary by all four band members, the band’s 1979 appearance on The South Bank Show, and a 1978 interview with Byrne. The deluxe edition is packaged in a hardback cover and includes a 48-page photo and essay book. -MM

Buy: Available now on DVD ($22.49) via Amazon.com.

Tickets

Jeff Mangum

What: Reclusive no more, Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum will follow up an acclaimed fall tour with another leg of U.S. tour dates starting January 18th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Neutral Milk Hotel’s website and Seat Geek.

Primavera Sound

What: Considered one of Europe’s premiere alternative music festival, Bareclona’s Primavera Sound returns in 2012 with a lineup led by Jeff Mangum, Björk, Guided By Voices, Yo La Tengo, and many more. -AY

Buy: Festival tickets are now available for 160 € (+ booking fee) via the festival’s website.

Radiohead

Photo by Nate Slevin

What: Their first tour in three years, Radiohead will hit the road in support of The King of Limbs beginning February 27th. Speaking recently with the BBC, guitarist Ed O’Brien admitted that the band has intentionally chosen to play indoor venues in order to maintain the intimacy of their latest album. “The record, which has a lot of detail in it, it needs to sonically be in a space where the music is loud, strong, and detailed.” O’Brien also added that the tour’s setlist will be comprised mostly of material from The King of Limbs and their 2008 album In Rainbows. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Radiohead’s website and Seat Geek.

Rammstein

What: It might not sound like your standard holiday gift, but Rammstein’s live performance is something of legend — X-Rated legend. Prepare yourself for German heavy metal, insane pyrotechnics, and a giant male, uh, apparatus spraying, uh — well, you get it. The month-long trek kicks off April 20th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Rammstein’s website and Seat Geek.

Roger Waters: The Wall

What: Already one of the highest grossing tours in history, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters will bring The Wall back to North America beginning May 1st. The production for the trek will feature a 40-foot-wide by 35-foot wall between the audience and the stage itself that is slowly knocked down as the concert progresses. Musically, Waters will be accompanied by an eight-piece band and three backing vocalists. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Waters’ website and Seat Geek.

South by Southwest

What: Though one of the more pricier tickets you’ll ever buy, a badge to South by Southwest earns access to over a thousand bands, films, and panels. Last year’s edition featured performers ranging from Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and Queens of the Stone Age to Odd Future, Wild Flag, and Shabazz Palaces. -AY

Buy: Multiple types of badges are now available via the festival’s website.

Weezer Cruise

What: It’s a 4-day music festival (January 19-23) on a cruise trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, headlined and curated by Weezer. If that alone doesn’t make it a “best gift” guarantee, performances from Dinosaur Jr., Gene Ween and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, Yuck, The Antlers and more certainly make it a contender. Add in special events and activities hosted by the individual members of Weezer and many of the other acts, and you’ve got yourself a winner. -BK

Buy: Tickets and accommodations range from $599 to $2,499 (plus $179 in taxes and fees), depending on room selection and number of people. Special 4 and 5-pack deals are available on select decks for $499 a head.

Wild Flag

What: Wild Flag — the all-female, indie-rock supergroup comprised of former Sleater-Kinney members Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss, ex-Helium frontgirl Mary Timony, and former Minders keyboardist Rebecca Cole — returns to the road beginning March 30th. -AY

Buy: Tickets are now available via Merge Record’s website and Seat Geek.

Holiday Music

Gruff Rhys: Atheist Xmas EP

What: Christmastime is when we’re all supposed to feel the warmth of hope and goodness swell inside our hearts. However, Super Furry Animals frontman/solo act extraordinaire Gruff Rhys had a different sentiment in mind with his EP Atheist Xmas. The collection is described as “an unholy trinity of three turkey-free new tracks for the festive season”, with the track “Post Apocalypse Christmas” seeing Rhys re-imagine Christmas “through the semi-melted eyes of a nuclear holocaust survivor”. It truly is the most wonderful time of year, isn’t it? -CC

Buy: Available on December 20th as a digital download via Amazon.com. A 12″ single version is also available through Rhys’ website.

John Zorn: A Dreamer’s Christmas

What: With seven classic tracks and two originals, avant-garde jazz musician John Zorn puts his unique touch on the Christmas soundtrack with A Dreamers Christmas. Eccentric as always, the MacArthur Genius joined with a variety of his frequent collaborators to jazz-up “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, “Winter Wonderland”, and others. Faith No More singer Mike Patton even lends his voice to a captivating rendition of “The Christmas Song”. This is not your grandpa’s holiday record. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD ($13.11) and vinyl ($35.80) via Amazon.com.

She & Him: A Very She & Him Christmas

What: The 12-track compilation sees Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward taking on seminal holiday classics like “Blue Christmas”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. Select packages also include exclusive She & Him mittens and winter cap, and are wrapped in She & Him wrapping papper. A portion of the proceeds benefit 826 National. -AY

Buy: Available now on CD and vinyl in various packages via the band’s website. A digital version is also available.

Scott Weiland: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

What: On The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the Stone Temple Pilots frontman cuts deep and finds his inner Sinatra, bringing us snow and eggnog, while snapping out oldies like “Silent Night” or “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. -MR

Buy: Available now on CD ($9.99) via Amazon.com. A digital version is also available.

This Warm December – A Brushfire Holiday, Volume 2 

What: This Warm December – A Brushfire Holiday Vol. 2 features 13 tracks from artists on and friends of Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records. It includes originals (Jack Johnson’s “In The Morning”, G. Love’s “Christmas Cookies”) as well as renditions of a few classics (“Jingle Bell Rock” from Rogue Wave, Zee Avi’s “Frosty the Snowman”). 25% of profits go to charities focused on youth musical education, including Little Kids Rock and The Silverlake Conservatory. It’s like two gifts in one. -BK

Buy: Available now on CD ($11.99) via Amazon.com. A vinyl edition is also available via the label’s website.

Custom Crafts & Art

Band T-Shirts from Lost Records

What: Not just any band t-shirts, but Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Albert Ayler Trio, Sun Ra, The Sonics, 13th Floor Elevators, Gun Club, The Mummies, The Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, Tommy Boy Records, 4AD Records, et effing cetera. Next best thing to seeing Television at CBGB’s is getting a shirt that looked like you saw them there. -JL

Buy: Available now for $14.99 via Lost Records Etsy Store

Rap/R&B Votive Candles

What: If your God is Based, you best have a candle for him, and you should always keep Aaliya in your memories. Plus, I can’t think of anything better than a votive candle that says  “I Think I’m Big Meech” with Rick Ross on it. Other options for hip hop devotions include R. Kelly, Nicki Minaj, Ghostface Killah, and Left Eye (not pictured). -JL

Buy: Available now, $9 for one, or $15 for two plus shipping and handling via Moneyworth’s Etsy Store.

The Illustrated “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G.

What: Ok, so while on Moneyworth’s Etsy page, I came across this, which is a hand-drawn picture book of the song “Juicy” by The Notorious B.I.G. And the cover, that’s a color Coogi-print. For real. -JL

Buy: Available now for $13 at Moneyworth’s Etsy Store.

Ridiculous/Fun

The Flaming Lips: Silver Trembling Fetus Ornament

What: Back again for a third year, The Flaming Lips present the ornament any fan knows they want hanging from their tree. Measuring just about 3-inches tall, this silver pewter fetus comes in a custom box, making it the perfect stocking stuffer. Unless the person has some uncomfortable feelings about fetuses, especially those stuffed into stockings. . . -BK

Buy: These quirky little fellas are available through the FLips website for $30.

Mastodon: The Hunter Mask

What: Take care of next year’s Halloween costume 11 months early with The Hunter Mask. Inspired by the cover of Mastodon’s recent LP of the same name, these 100% custom makes are made from a thick plastic and were assembled locally in the Los Angeles area by a special effects company. According to the band, they’re also “very comfortable.”  -AY

Buy: Available now for $39.99 via the band’s website.

My Keepon – Interactive Robot

What: Need a pal to keep you company while you dance alone? Look no further than My Keepon. Developed by Wow! Stuff and Beatbots, My Keepon is a cute, yellow dancing fiend, who grooves to any sort of tune – especially Spoon. You’ll never get the same performance twice. Some may argue science could be better utilized today, but whatever. The scientists definitely got this one right. -MR

Buy: Available now for $55.95 via Amazon.com.

My Chemical Romance: Danger Days Jackets

What: On their most recent record, Danger Days, My Chemical Romance takes on the persona of their alter-egos, the Fabulous Killjoys. Now you too can dress like Jet Star (guitarist Ray Toro), Fun Ghoul (guitarist Frank Iero), Kobra Kid (bassist Mikey Way), or Party Poison (frontman/singer Gerard Way) with these replica jackets. Each jacket is based on designs seen in the videos for “Sing” and “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”. -BK

Buy: The Party Poison jackets are currently sold out, but the others are all available on My Chemical Romance’s website for $89.99 to $99.99.

The Official DEVO Yellow Suit

What: “Protect yourself from dangerous human elements and stay cool during meltdowns in this official DEVO Yellow Suit.” An exact replica of the suits worn onstage by DEVO, right down to the material quality. Comes in two pieces, jacket and pants, plus an adjustable elastic belt. Please note, it most likely won’t protect you from a real nuclear emergency, but you should be safe if there’s a meltdown at your next costume party. -BK

Buy: Available online at the Club DEVO store for $49.99 (XL and Jumbo sizes only). For $32.00, finish off the ensemble with an Energy Dome hat (currently only available in blue).

“Stairway to Heaven” Ladder

What: Salvation is made simple this holiday season thanks to award-winning designer Arthur Analts’ literal take on Led Zeppelin’s most famous song. The limited edition (only 99 made), aluminum “Led Zeppelin” ladder is intended for both practical and decorative use, and various colors and customized engraving options are available. This gift is perfect for reaching paradise or even for just getting those bedroom linens off the top closet shelf. -MM

Buy: Inquire at Analts’ website.

Young Money Prepaid Discover Card

What: Consider yourself a Young Money/Cash Money Billionaire? Tired of lugging around those one hundred bills in your back pocket? Then consider the latest venture from Lil Wayne. The Young Money pre-paid debit card is essentially your standard card, with direct deposit and online billing options. However,  unlike those emblazoned with company logos or fanciful unicorns, you can rep YMCMB in style with its massive branding on top of a sleek red background. It may be the fiscally responsible move, but it will also complicate things the next time you make it rain. -CC

Buy: Apply for your very own card here.

Practical

Gift Certificates

C’mon. Who doesn’t love getting these? Sure, it’s essentially saying, “Yeah, I didn’t really care to listen to you all year, but I know you dig this. So have fun,” but if you write a convincing and loving card to go with it, it’s not so bad. Plus, deep down inside, we’re screaming, “Thank god it wasn’t an IOU for a meal or dinner.” (Don’t you just love being an isolated cynic?) So, if you’re drawing a blank this season, but know you’re friend digs music. You might want to pick up a gift certificate for: InSound, iTunes, or a local record store like Chicago’s Reckless Records, for instance. It may be a piece of plastic to you, but it’s a cherished vinyl, CD, or experience for someone else. -MR

Guitar Pedals

Know a pedalhead who’s getting bored with the vanilla variety of fuzzes, compressors a wahs that are clogging space on their board? Do they like their tones a li’l bit freaky, or even balls-to-the-wall weird? Luckily for these jaded guitarists, several new stompboxes have hit the market that are doing some pretty cool stuff in relatively new ways. Below you’ll find a few suggestions for the perfect effects pedals to brighten their holiday season.

Ravish Star

What: Is your band looking to add a distinctive Eastern flavor to their songs, but have no room in the station wagon for an additional large, unwieldy instrument? Electro-Harmonix’s new Ravish Sitar pedal does an admirable job of transforming your guitar tone into a convincing sitar sound. If your interests extend beyond just a more accurate cover version of “Norwegian Wood”, the wide range of knobs, inputs and presets loaded into this pedal offer up lots of interesting drone possibilities. -AT

Buy: Available now for $239.25 at GuitarCenter.com, or demo the pedal at your local Electro-Harmonix dealer.

Z.vex Effects Instant

What: Ever want to capture the supercharming, lo-fi tone of bands like Guided By Voices, Sebadoh or Ariel Pink, but have been stumped because the quality of your gear is just too damn high? Well, fear no more – Z.Vex Effects has got you covered with their Instant Lo-Fi Junky. Combining a compressor and vibrato, you can kick on the pedal to provide awashed-out, warped cassette tape sound in real time. It’s just what you need to surf the chillwave craze before it crashes into the shore! -AT

Buy: Available now for $219 via Amazon.com, or try the unit out for yourself at your local Z.Vex dealer.

Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas

What: For the noise freaks who prefer their shit to be just plain crazy, the always-intriguing Dwarfcraft is introducing the Satan Oscillate My Metallic Sonatas pedal (shortened from its incredibly-badass palindrome form simply to SOMMS). This one pedal features four different oscillators: one pulses, one drones, and two more are controlled by a joystick, so you can mix your crazy synth soundcrafting with the simple pleasures of playing an Atari 2600. Don’t even play guitar, but want to get in on the noisy action? The SOMMS features input/output jacks so it can be fed through a pedalboard, but can also be played as an independent instrument. -AT

Buy: The SOMMS will begin shipping this month and will sell for $275. Please inquire with your local Dwarfcraft dealer.

Rocksmith

What: Rhythm music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are great and all, but they mostly boil down to so much bashing of colored buttons. Rocksmith takes the next step, dumps the peripherals and lets players plug in a real guitar, allowing them to actually learn how to play the instrument while they enjoy the game. An included 6.35mm-to-USB cable enables you to plug right in and jam to songs from The Black Keys, David Bowie, The Dead Weather, Muse, and tons more, with downloadable content increasingly added.-BK

Buy: The game is available for $77.99 on Xbox 360 and PS3, with the PC version going for $79.96, all from Amazon. A bundle including a starter guitar is available, if you’re willing to search for it.

Sennheiser HD595 Dynamic High Grade Performance Premiere Headphones

What: The Maybach of headphones – nonpareil. Its double-take price tag makese these hard to stomach for a personal purchase, but make an amazing gift for a lifetime. Plug it in to your receiver and put on The Band or The Bends and hear the fidelity blow your mind. -JL

Buy: Available now for $249.09 via Amazon.

Spotify Premium Membership

What: If you walk by someone’s desk at work and wonder what’s up with their Spotify and why its covered in ads, it’s cause they probably forgot they can turn them off and get increased sound quality when they buy the premium membership. And, when you buy the $9.99 a month option, you get all of Spotify’s bounty on your iPhone or Android. -JL

Buy: Well, they don’t have gift cards available in America yet, so just tell your giftee to scoot over and you’ll put it on your card (via Spotify).

There has been no shortage of support within the music community for the ongoing Occupy movements. Jeff Mangum, Talib Kweli, Tom Morello, and Crosby Stills and Nash have all delivered performances, and Kanye West an appearance at Occupy Wall Street, and Rage Against the Machine’s Zach De La Rocha recently showed his support with a poem. Now, a number of prominent musicians have bonded together and launched their own movement called Occupy Musicians.

According to an issued press release, “Occupy Musicians will serve as a resource to facilitate performances at Occupy spaces and events. Provide links to media wishing to interview Occupy-supporting musicians. Host testimony and other writings of musicians for why they support the 99 percent. Host embedded media to Occupy-related songs and music videos and network musicians to Occupy locations and Occupy fund raisers.”

As Occupy Musicians’ website points out, co-signers include Lou Reed, Talib Kweli, Tom Morello, Fugazi’s Ian MacKaye, Dead Kennedy’s Jello Biafra, Amanda Palmer, John Zorn, Dan Deacon, My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden, tUnE-yArDs’ Merill Garbus, Sharon Van Etten, former Titus Andronicus guitarist Amy Klein, Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart, Kimya Dawson, and Mirah, among others.

Despite the fact that Zorn himself can be notoriously odd and difficult, A Dreamers Christmas leans closer to jazz standard than it does to the spasmodic bebop/hardcore of Naked City. On “Winter Wonderland”, a smooth intro lurches into a twanging swing, Marc Ribot’s twinkling guitar, Trevor Dunn’s chorded bass work, and Joey Baron’s skipping kit work sidle along, and Kenny Wollesen’s agile vibraphone solo brings everything to a nodding bliss. The atmospheric take on “Christmas Time Is Here” rides largely on Jamie Saft’s beautifully trilling piano and Cyro Baptista’s skillfully minimalist chimes and other alt. percussion flourishes.

The album is composed of seven traditional holiday tracks and two Zorn originals. “Snowfall” is the first of the originals, a track that probably perfectly captures the feeling of being inside an “Island Christmas” snow globe, equal parts surfy goodness (Ribot’s sea-swept chords and Baptista’s bongos) and wintry goodness (Saft and Wollesen’s fluttering interplay). On the traditional end, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” twangs and kicks with some off-kilter keyboards and clanging guitar melody, while “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” gets the jazziest treatment, sped up under Dunn’s upright plucking and rapid piano themes.

The inimitable Mike Patton contributes vocals to a take on “The Christmas Song” (perhaps better known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”), and it’s not as creepy or weird as that might suggest. Instead of yelping and barking, the one-time Faith No More and Mr. Bungle vocalist produces a sonorous, lush, husky take on the classic, one that is (like the whole album) interesting, captivating, and pleasing for every member of the family at your holiday party.

Essential Tracks: “The Christmas Song”, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, and “Snowfall”

An earthquake and tsunami benefit concert for Japan will be held on March 27th at the Miller Theatre at Columbia University in New York City. Hosted by John Zorn, the avant-garde purveyor of jazz, the concert features a slew of notable musicians such as Sonic Youth, Mike Patton, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto with Mephista, Marc Ribot, Uri Caine, and Zorn’s own Aleph Trio.

In exchange for a night of music, 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Japan. Tickets are going for $100, $50 & $25 student tix and are available by calling the Miller Theatre Box Office at 212/854-7799, M–F, 12–6PM. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://www.millertheatre.com/.

Homeland‘s production credits go to Roma Baran and husband Lou Reed, along with Anderson, who also plays violin, keyboard, percussion, and sings. The collaborations will likely be trippy; Four Tet guests on keys, while Antony Hegarty (of Antony & the Johnsons) contributes vocals to the LP. There will also be several jazz guests, including a collaboration with avant-garde jazz saxophonist John Zorn. Anderson is known for her live spectacle as much as anything, but this album should be interesting.

Speaking of her live spectacle, Anderson performs “Delusion” in Europe a few more times before bringing the show back to the States. She and Reed are also curating the Vivid Live Festival at the Sydney Opera House this summer.

You can find tickets for “Delusion” here; dates below.

Laurie Anderson 2010 Tour Dates:
03/30-31 – Paris, FR @ Salle Des Concerts
04/07-10 – Uppsala, SE @ Uppsala Stadsteater
04/14-17 – London, UK @ Barbican Theatre
05/05 – Stanford, CA @ Memorial Auditorium
05/07-08 – Berkeley, CA @ Zellerbach Hall
09/21-10/03 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Harvey Theater

John Zorn‘s music often looks to Jewish influences or topics relating to Jewish culture and life. Several of his Filmworks soundtracks are written for documentaries detailing Jewish identity, anti-semitism and the Holocaust. The Masada Books were originally Zorn’s attempt to further connect with his Jewish heritage through writing 100 pieces incorporating klezmer and many other musical styles. These first 100 compositions continually grow as Zorn’s Masada (electric, string and traditional) bands keep playing. His Tzadik record label also features a “Radical Jewish Culture Series” which aims to release original music by modern Jewish musicians.

But Kristallnacht is one of his greatest accomplishments, a perfect fusion of art and history, emotion and memory. The composition opens with “Shtetl (Ghetto Life)”, a subtle, anxious klezmer swoon, which is intermittently broken into by fuzzy yet fervent snippets of audio samples of German shouted speeches and rallies. This paranoiac feel is an attempt to recreate the manner in which German Jews like Herschel Grynszpan lived their daily lives.

Grynszpan’s family were Polish Jews who had settled in Germany. Herschel himself had been sent to live with an uncle in Paris, while the rest of the family remained in Germany as the conditions got worse and worse for Jews. According to several reports, he received a postcard from his sister, telling him of the situation back home. Not a week later, Herschel walked into the German embassy in France, walked into diplomat Ernst vom Rath’s office, and fired three bullets into the man’s chest. Grynszpan was immediately captured, but the assassination led to a horrific event.

The second part of Zorn’s Kristallnacht, entitled “Never Again”, is a difficult thing to listen to. Zorn admits this in the liner notes to the piece, as it “contains high frequency extremes at the limits of human hearing and beyond, which may cause nausea, headaches and ringing in the ears”. Sections of the piece seem to be thousands of layers of glass shattering.

“Gahelet (Embers)” follows, a hollow, broken soundscape, full of far-away winds and howls. Not only were 91 Jews killed during Kristallnacht, but anywhere up to 30,000 were arrested and sent to concentration camps, not to mention the destruction of property and the ruins that were left behind. “Gahelet” perfectly captures the point of view of someone attempting to walk through the streets where the brutality happened, walking on shattered glass, seeing the remnants of so many lives.

“Tikkun (Recification)” comes next, a virtuosic performance by violinist Mark Feldman, a frantic, hopeful piece of music perfectly underscored by percussionist William Winant’s snapping hand drums and Marc Ribot’s staggered guitar. “Tzifa (Looking Ahead)” does just as its title proclaims, keeping the klezmer style fast and true (David Krakauer’s clarinet fluttering and hopping like a bird), yet still incorporating blasts of unexpected chaos.

“Barzel (Iron Fist)” is downright angry, full of howling electronics, thundering drums and some sort of buried vocal. But after two minutes of this rage, “Gariin (Nucleus – The New Settlement)” breaks in, sparse, marching drums eventually joined by loping, distorted guitar. Hints of klezmer remain in the rhythm, but there’s something that isn’t the same anymore. The instrumentation, the tones are changed, though there is an attempt to remain grounded in the traditional, echoing Zorn’s own attempt to hold onto and recognize the past while also venturing into the new and unknown.

Check Out:

For those that don’t know Zorn, he’s a MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant recipient, an avant-garde saxophonist, a composer of everything from punk-jazz to klezmer. He operates the label Tzadik, which brings together Zorn’s talented friends and music from around the world. In 2006, Zorn put together vocalist Mike Patton, bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Joey Baron. Leading the three in their music, they managed to put together Zorn’s love of hardcore and his keen knowledge of jazz. 2007′s Moonchild release Six Litanies for Heliogabalus was one of, if not the, best album of the year, and The Crucible follows directly in its footsteps.

The howl on opening track “Almadel” is piercingly difficult to figure out at first. Is that Patton’s scream or Zorn’s alto? But, after some review, it’s definitely both, fused together alchemically. Some might find Patton’s voice familiar and for good reason. He’s handled lead vox for Faith No More, Tomahawk, Dillinger Escape Plan, and others. But his most notable role may have been as leader of the ridiculous experimental metal group Mr. Bungle. Patton’s kind of a male Bjork, flip-flopping his voice like some feral creature, bracing between inhuman growls and absurd whoops. After the howling subsides, Dunn and Baron lock into an airtight, gravelly groove. Dunn, also a Mr. Bungle ex-pat and oft-collaborator with the Melvins, crunches along while Baron (a noted avant-garde drummer who has played with Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie and others) pops at the snare.

“Shapeshifting” has Patton sort of singing a melody in sort of words that remain indiscernible after repeat listens. However the effect is the same. This sort of mystery is exactly what Zorn had in mind when composing and working with Moonchild. His noted interest in magic and alchemy has been reappearing more and more on recent albums.

On Tzadik’s site, Zorn writes that “9×9″ is a “Led Zeppelin influenced track” and it certainly does not fail to live up to that. While the musicianship remains tight (especially with the guest guitar-playing by the astounding Marc Ribot), the tune just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the album. It’s too clean, too…understandable to be a Moonchild track.

Luckily, “Hobgoblin” follows, with Zorn’s sax and Patton’s scream again doing their call-and-response thing, each trying to mimic each other. Suddenly, though, Baron drops into a quick Latin rhythm and Patton starts beatboxing. Much like Mr. Bungle, Moonchild revels trading rhythms and genres at the drop of a hat. This is perhaps most successful as “Witchfinder” kicks into gear, the Masada-influenced, klezmer-esque drumming of Baron underscoring an almost math-rock bass line.

Closing track “The Initiate” seems to hit the closest to Zorn’s home. At once, it sounds like it could be the back line for a jazz jam (put through a couple of distortion pedals), or a Naked City piece. Naked City was one of Zorn’s first composed movements into metal and grindcore, a group that also featured Baron’s drumming. No matter how far Zorn experiments out into the ether, he always keeps grounded in the same place. And that place is always breathtaking, full of weird wonderment, amazing power and lithe musicianship.

Check Out:
“Hobgoblin”
“Witchfinder”