Consequence of Sound » Merge Records http://consequenceofsound.net Think Fast, Listen Slowly Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:46:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Merge Records to reissue Superchunk’s Foolish http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/08/merge-records-to-reissue-superchunks-foolish/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/08/merge-records-to-reissue-superchunks-foolish/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/08/superchunkfoolish.jpg Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:28:30 +0000 Chris Coplan http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=140491

On top of Superchunk releasing a brand new LP in Majesty Shredding last year, the North Carolina four-piece has been working with Merge to reissue several of their early albums. With Here’s Where the Strings Come, No Pocky for Kitty, and On the Mouth already out, the group’s fourth album, 1994′s Foolish, is next to hit stores this September.

Recorded over three days in early December 1993, the Brian Paulson-produced record saw the band reach a new level of sonic development. As Peter Margasak, the man who booked the first Superchunk show in Chicago, told Merge Records, “Foolish stands as one of the band’s greatest accomplishments, a blast of songwriting growth (dare I say maturation?) that arrived without taking the band’s trademark energy and power as a casualty.” Putting the whole thing together at Steve Albini’s home studio probably didn’t hurt either.

The album will feature all remastered tracks along with different album art, special bonus material, and liner notes by drummer Jon Wurster. Pre-order your copy here. Foolish is available on CD, LP, and digital download September 13th via Merge Records.

Foolish Tracklist:
01. Like a Fool
02. The First Part
03. Water Wings
04. Driveway to Driveway
05. Saving my Ticket
06. Kicked In
07. Why Do You Have to Put a Date on Everything
08. Without Blinking
09. Keeping Track
10. Revelations
11. Stretched Out
12. In a Stage Whisper
]]> Majesty Shredding last year, the North Carolina four-piece has been working with Merge to reissue several of their early albums. With Here’s Where the Strings Come, No Pocky for Kitty, and On the Mouth already out, the group's fourth album, 1994's Foolish, is next to hit stores this September. Recorded over three days in early December 1993, the Brian Paulson-produced record saw the band reach a new level of sonic development. As Peter Margasak, the man who booked the first Superchunk show in Chicago, told Merge Records, "Foolish stands as one of the band’s greatest accomplishments, a blast of songwriting growth (dare I say maturation?) that arrived without taking the band’s trademark energy and power as a casualty." Putting the whole thing together at Steve Albini's home studio probably didn't hurt either. The album will feature all remastered tracks along with different album art, special bonus material, and liner notes by drummer Jon Wurster. Pre-order your copy here. Foolish is available on CD, LP, and digital download September 13th via Merge Records. Foolish Tracklist: 01. Like a Fool 02. The First Part 03. Water Wings 04. Driveway to Driveway 05. Saving my Ticket 06. Kicked In 07. Why Do You Have to Put a Date on Everything 08. Without Blinking 09. Keeping Track 10. Revelations 11. Stretched Out 12. In a Stage Whisper]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/08/merge-records-to-reissue-superchunks-foolish/feed/ 0 Insight: Album Streams – A Tale of Music In 2011 http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/insight-album-streams-a-tale-of-music-in-2011/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/insight-album-streams-a-tale-of-music-in-2011/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/05/streams400.jpeg Thu, 19 May 2011 20:15:00 +0000 Chris Coplan http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=120517 It used to be, in times of yore, that almost no one (save for music critics in their ivory towers) could hear an album before it was released. Then, some mages in a lab somewhere forged the Internet from old telephone lines, and the music industry fell into a reverse Renaissance, an age where they saw their profit margins shrink under the threat of torrents and illegal downloads. With the land in utter ruins, a white knight of sorts rode into town: album streams.

And despite the courage and valor of this brave paladin, willfully giving the quaint peasants a chance to legally hear an album before its intended release date, the story doesn’t end there. Instead, the world we live in now, with album streams galore, has become a vast landscape of chance and opportunity, a veritable Wild West of sorts. It goes to show that no matter the narrative, the message remains: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Tons of music outfits and blogs these days (including us here at CoS) are pushing album streams. At their core, they’re a stroke of pure genius in the battle against illegal downloading: If you give people the album they want so desperately to hear, they’re less likely to steal it. But as those involved in the creation and distribution of albums will tell you, that’s not always the case. Paul Smith is the drummer and producer for Dengue Fever, which just released its latest album, Cannibal Courtship. Smith is fully aware of the attitude of most downloaders and their decidedly firm stance on how they procure albums.

“My guess would be that streaming has a minor impact on illegal downloads,” Smith says. “The people who do that aren’t going to change their mind because they have the chance to stream it.”

So, the question begs, why stream an album in the first place?

“Deciding to stream the album feels like the right way to go with how things have changed in music consumption,” Smith explains. “It doesn’t devalue it, in my opinion. Allowing people to check out where you’re going with your art can get things moving. It can start to channel your music to your core audience before a release. For bands at our level, I don’t see the downside. Although it is art, I like the idea of fans getting the chance to know what they’re getting into beforehand. I think it gets the momentum going earlier than it would without it.”

If that last bit strikes you as particularly business savvy coming from a creative type, then you’re undoubtedly unaware that it’s a brave new world out there, a new landscape and region and hole in the space-time continuum where artists are having a say in the mechanics of the album release process, and previously stubborn dinosaurs– like labels and media outlets alike– are embracing an attitude of going with the flow.

“With labels trying various marketing approaches to find the ever-elusive paying customer, it can be a compromise with the idea of free content,” Smith continues. “Music critics and your hardcore fans who are tuned in to what you are doing get rewarded by getting the first peek.”

And that rabid consumer base is exactly what NPR is trying to tap into, with rather mesmerizing results thus far. Through its First Listen feature, the public broadcasting giant routinely streams the albums of everyone from new and unheard acts like Austra to established acts like Fleet Foxes and Okkervil River (and that’s all just within one week). NPR Music’s approach seems to be a culmination of a number of strategies, ranging from sound entrepreneurial techniques to flat-out giving the music nerds of the world their fix– in essence, a truly holistic business model.

“NPR Music is all about music discovery and the community that revolves around that discovery,” says Bob Boilen, host and creator of NPR’s All Songs Considered. “What better way to do it than an unreleased record? We’ve been beyond surprised at the artists willing to do this. Our series started with a Bob Dylan record and Sony Music. We don’t think of legacy artists putting their songs online, and so an entire album is a shocker. But it works– people hear it, they talk about it, and they buy it. Everyone wins. I also like the fact that our diverse staff will pick albums that are not the ‘big’ releases. So you might come for Fleet Foxes this week or maybe The Antlers and spend time with the Black Ice Cream man Helado Negro and his sonic soundscapes. And if you see that name and haven’t a clue you what you’re in for, you can read a bit before you listen. This isn’t a bit torrent site; context for the content is everything to us.”

But as any great music nerd will tell you, it all relates back to their obsessive love of the music. As much as the philosophy may shift toward becoming more competitive in a truly-harrowing time when album sales are in a perpetually abysmal state, it’s all a mater of experiencing the same beloved routines through new filters.

“I used to love becoming friends with a record, living with it day and night and for weeks on end,” Boilen says. “Knowing all the words and the cover art and marking time with a record. Those days are gone. Part of it is the work we do here at NPR– hundreds of albums come in weekly and need to be heard; I can’t live with anything repeatedly, but I think even the average fan can spend time on websites, podcasts, streams, and then of course albums– many, many albums– and not get that familiarity that was such a large part of our lives not that long ago. The buying public is spoiled and feels entitled to new music. That said, we all love this great art form and some of us just can’t help it…it’s OK.”

But the story goes deeper. With people thinking sharper and music consumption evolving in new ways without losing the tangible quality of an album (even if it’s just bits of data on a site you’re visiting), there still has to be a more definitive way to make money from this model, a concrete way for those in charge of the business of music to continue to do what they do. As has been fairly common throughout this tale so far, there’s still plenty of tinkering left to do. Part of that work involves labels re-evaluating how they deal with leaks. For Merge Records, their definitive anti-leak stance isn’t as that definitive as one might think.

“For a record like Times New Viking, if people hear that album, that’s the only way it’s going to sell,” says Christina Rentz, Merge’s publicist. “With leaks, you’re trying to expose bands to people who don’t know who they are. What hurts us is how big the album that leaks is, so you’d take a different angle with a Fleet Foxes. But a band like Wye Oak, people are streaming and talking, and that builds goodwill. Leaking a record has its benefits, and it shows in iTunes sales and pre-orders. The music is the selling point.”

Even with an entirely more open attitude, Rentz and Merge recognize that a leak can still be a bad thing, especially if they don’t learn to handle it properly.

“As soon as you put it out there to stream, as soon as it hits live, it leaks,” Rentz says. “So, you control the timing; the bigger the record, the more control over the timing. Streams are great and there’s nothing negative enough to make us not want to do it. Sometimes, we’re even worried when an album hasn’t leaked already.”

Of course, Rentz is also the first to note that “when Spotify gets here [available to U.S. users], this will all be different.” While the great unknown beast marches toward the public at an unknown pace, Google recently announced the launch of the beta for their Music by Google online music locker, which would allow users to upload music and stream/download anywhere with a mobile device. Whichever beast reigns supreme, even if both conquer, the end goal is to monetize that stream, which adds further technological aspects to the whole fable.

But in the very end, the final change just may be the easiest and most exhilarating to make. Because, dear readers and music aficionados, it involves you.

“We’re training listeners to listen to things and expect them for free,” Rentz  concludes.  “It sounds counter-productive, but it works well.”

]]> CoS) are pushing album streams. At their core, they're a stroke of pure genius in the battle against illegal downloading: If you give people the album they want so desperately to hear, they're less likely to steal it. But as those involved in the creation and distribution of albums will tell you, that's not always the case. Paul Smith is the drummer and producer for Dengue Fever, which just released its latest album, Cannibal Courtship. Smith is fully aware of the attitude of most downloaders and their decidedly firm stance on how they procure albums. "My guess would be that streaming has a minor impact on illegal downloads," Smith says. "The people who do that aren't going to change their mind because they have the chance to stream it." So, the question begs, why stream an album in the first place? "Deciding to stream the album feels like the right way to go with how things have changed in music consumption," Smith explains. "It doesn't devalue it, in my opinion. Allowing people to check out where you’re going with your art can get things moving. It can start to channel your music to your core audience before a release. For bands at our level, I don't see the downside. Although it is art, I like the idea of fans getting the chance to know what they're getting into beforehand. I think it gets the momentum going earlier than it would without it." If that last bit strikes you as particularly business savvy coming from a creative type, then you're undoubtedly unaware that it's a brave new world out there, a new landscape and region and hole in the space-time continuum where artists are having a say in the mechanics of the album release process, and previously stubborn dinosaurs-- like labels and media outlets alike-- are embracing an attitude of going with the flow. "With labels trying various marketing approaches to find the ever-elusive paying customer, it can be a compromise with the idea of free content," Smith continues. "Music critics and your hardcore fans who are tuned in to what you are doing get rewarded by getting the first peek." And that rabid consumer base is exactly what NPR is trying to tap into, with rather mesmerizing results thus far. Through its First Listen feature, the public broadcasting giant routinely streams the albums of everyone from new and unheard acts like Austra to established acts like Fleet Foxes and Okkervil River (and that's all just within one week). NPR Music's approach seems to be a culmination of a number of strategies, ranging from sound entrepreneurial techniques to flat-out giving the music nerds of the world their fix-- in essence, a truly holistic business model. "NPR Music is all about music discovery and the community that revolves around that discovery," says Bob Boilen, host and creator of NPR's All Songs Considered. "What better way to do it than an unreleased record? We've been beyond surprised at the artists willing to do this. Our series started with a Bob Dylan record and Sony Music. We don't think of legacy artists putting their songs online, and so an entire album is a shocker. But it works-- people hear it, they talk about it, and they buy it. Everyone wins. I also like the fact that our diverse staff will pick albums that are not the 'big' releases. So you might come for Fleet Foxes this week or maybe The Antlers and spend time with the Black Ice Cream man Helado Negro and his sonic soundscapes. And if you see that name and haven't a clue you what you're in for, you can read a bit before you listen. This isn't a bit torrent site; context for the content is everything to us." But as any great music nerd will tell you, it all relates back to their obsessive love of the music. As much as the philosophy may shift toward becoming more competitive in a truly-harrowing time when album sales are in a perpetually abysmal state, it's all a mater of experiencing the same beloved routines through new filters. "I used to love becoming friends with a record, living with it day and night and for weeks on end," Boilen says. "Knowing all the words and the cover art and marking time with a record. Those days are gone. Part of it is the work we do here at NPR-- hundreds of albums come in weekly and need to be heard; I can't live with anything repeatedly, but I think even the average fan can spend time on websites, podcasts, streams, and then of course albums-- many, many albums-- and not get that familiarity that was such a large part of our lives not that long ago. The buying public is spoiled and feels entitled to new music. That said, we all love this great art form and some of us just can't help it…it's OK." But the story goes deeper. With people thinking sharper and music consumption evolving in new ways without losing the tangible quality of an album (even if it's just bits of data on a site you're visiting), there still has to be a more definitive way to make money from this model, a concrete way for those in charge of the business of music to continue to do what they do. As has been fairly common throughout this tale so far, there's still plenty of tinkering left to do. Part of that work involves labels re-evaluating how they deal with leaks. For Merge Records, their definitive anti-leak stance isn't as that definitive as one might think. "For a record like Times New Viking, if people hear that album, that's the only way it's going to sell," says Christina Rentz, Merge's publicist. "With leaks, you're trying to expose bands to people who don't know who they are. What hurts us is how big the album that leaks is, so you'd take a different angle with a Fleet Foxes. But a band like Wye Oak, people are streaming and talking, and that builds goodwill. Leaking a record has its benefits, and it shows in iTunes sales and pre-orders. The music is the selling point." Even with an entirely more open attitude, Rentz and Merge recognize that a leak can still be a bad thing, especially if they don't learn to handle it properly. "As soon as you put it out there to stream, as soon as it hits live, it leaks," Rentz says. "So, you control the timing; the bigger the record, the more control over the timing. Streams are great and there's nothing negative enough to make us not want to do it. Sometimes, we're even worried when an album hasn't leaked already." Of course, Rentz is also the first to note that "when Spotify gets here [available to U.S. users], this will all be different." While the great unknown beast marches toward the public at an unknown pace, Google recently announced the launch of the beta for their Music by Google online music locker, which would allow users to upload music and stream/download anywhere with a mobile device. Whichever beast reigns supreme, even if both conquer, the end goal is to monetize that stream, which adds further technological aspects to the whole fable. But in the very end, the final change just may be the easiest and most exhilarating to make. Because, dear readers and music aficionados, it involves you. "We're training listeners to listen to things and expect them for free," Rentz  concludes.  "It sounds counter-productive, but it works well."]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/insight-album-streams-a-tale-of-music-in-2011/feed/ 5 50 Types of Coal: CoS presents our Holiday Gift Guide http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/11/50-types-of-coal-cos-presents-our-holiday-gift-guide/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/11/50-types-of-coal-cos-presents-our-holiday-gift-guide/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2010/11/giftguide260x260.jpg Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:09:44 +0000 Philip Cosores http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=82444

We know you weren’t good this year. At CoS, we know our readers and figure that a good portion of the naughty list finds a way to stop by our website regularly. But, we embrace our own kind. We figure that no matter how many drunk tanks you’ve awoken in, how many boyfriend’s you have cheated on, or how many Justin Bieber songs you can recall by name, you will still get presents.

Music has always been a go-to for me, because it is easily located and something you know for sure that the person would never spend their own money on. Plus, back in the day, there was the clever tactic of buying people CD’s that you also wanted and then asking them to burn you a copy. Before the internet, you had to be creative as well as shady to get free music. So CoS used its “all encompassing” knowledge to create a gift guide that can appeal to all types of music fans.

If you’re shopping for the picky-as-hell, vinyl-only, pretentious know-it-all in the family, you might be willing to fork over the cash for 69 Love Songs on vinyl. Or maybe you have a rock and roll die-hard sharing your bedroom. Check out the Bruce Springsteen reissue or, perhaps, the Green Day singles box set. They’ll love you forever. And what about the millions who logged on every G.O.O.D. Friday? Apparently there’s a pretty big record around the bend. But if less effort is preferred, why not play it safe with Michael McDonald’s This Christmas? A holiday record from everyone’s favorite former Doobie? Done deal.

And we’re just dipping our toes in here. Check out the CoS gift guide and have a happy end to your year.

Note: We’ll be adding new items to the guide throughout the holiday season, so please check back often.

Collectibles

How do you know you should be shopping for collectible music items for your loved one? If they even know how to use a record player, this section is a safe bet. Another tip-off could be their insistence on decorating with posters, despite being over the age of 22. For people like this, the holiday season brings a host of new releases featuring colored vinyls, gate-fold packaging, individually numbered artwork, and complete discographies whose most notable trait is that they come in a box. The holiday season also brings people willing to buy this often ridiculous, but often awesome, indulgence. Check out some must-haves for the most serious of music-fans, ranging from the individual reissue to the absurdly extensive demo collections.

Joy Division – + -


Joy Division to the world! For a band that existed for around four years, released one album during that time and one post-humous one, all more than 30 years ago, these always seems to be more music seeing the light of day. This collection contains 10 7-inch remastered singles from the bands brief history and is limited to 5,000 copies. The first 500 sold also receive an art piece from Peter Saville. This is for the rabid fan, but will surely be appreciated. Order here.

Price: Sold Out, but you can try eBay…
Buy: Again, try eBay!

Bruce Springsteen – The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story

This collection is already out and its new tracks are getting solid reviews, from what I’ve seen. But did you need someone to tell you that The Boss released something worth listening to? One of rocks most consistent and genuine voices put together six discs to tell the story of one of his classic albums. Yeah, that’s a long story, but the Boss can talk for hours once he gets going. Twenty-one new tracks populate the set, along with live concert footage and a reproduction of his notebook, complete with notes. Perfect for your dad or an aspiring stalker. Or just get the abridged version (two CD’s of the new stuff) for fans of reasonable enthusiasm.

Price: $79.99
Buy: Amazon

The Decemberists – The King is Dead Box Set

Okay, so it’s not out until January, but c’mon, it’s The Decemberists. Arguably set to be next month’s hottest release, The King is Dead is another agreeable foray into Colin Meloy’s trademark folk rock. This time around, however, fans can expect a sound that hearkens back to the early days of R.E.M., which makes sense given that R.E.M.’s Peter Buck appears on three tracks. If you know a certain someone who enjoys either party, then you might reckon on nabbing this ambitious box set. In addition to being limited in number (2500, to be exact), you’ll receive “a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn de Wilde from the Impossible Project/Decemberists series, a 72 page hardcover book featuring over 250 unique Polaroid photographs by Autumn de Wilde and illustrations by Carson Ellis, Pendarvia DVD – a 30 minute short film by Aaron Rose, documenting the making of the album, a limited edition Giclée print illustrated by Carson Ellis,” in addition to the actual album on both CD and 180 gram white vinyl. There’s more, but go check it out for yourself. Think of it as an adventure.

Price: $165, $180 (w/ shirt)
Buy: The Decemberists.com

T-Rex – The Slider

Originally re-released in 1972 and out of print since 2003, this reissue of the classic album is the first in a series of reissues and a good gift option that won’t break the bank.T-Rex is beloved by both hipster trash and middle-aged accountants, so both the compact disc and remastered vinyl are available for their intended audience. Order from Fat Possum.

Price: $15.18
Buy: Amazon.com

Score! 20 Years of Merge Records (Box Set)

Released last year to honor one of the generations most influential record labels, this set offers a host of rare tunes for the indie fan in your life. Fourteen CDs with original cover art and bonus content from curators such as Kara Walker, David Byrne, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, and more. Bonus content includes exclusive new recordings from The Minus 5, Lou Barlow, Destroyer, and others. Andrea Zittel, Zach Galifianakis, David Chang, Miranda July, and Phil Morrison provide exclusive videos for their comps. Plus a covers album, remixes album, poster, book and a box to put it all in. Yeah, it’s cool, but there are only 200 copies remaining.

Price: $219.00
Buy: Merge Records

The Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs vinyl box set

This has been on my wishlist for a couple years now. One of the landmark albums of all-time, this contains all 69 love songs remastered for vinyl on six 10″ vinyl records, all housed in a super-sized 69 Love Songs box, with a 10″ version of the original booklet featuring liner notes written by Lemony Snicket author Daniel Handler. If you have yet to discover this album, trust me and know that it will make most music fans very happy as a gift.

Price: $99.98
Buy: Merge Records

The White Stripes – Under The Great Northern Lights Box Set

Alex Young is probably angling someone for this. Released last March, this set sees the duo on tour in Canada circa 2007, for which a documentary of the same name was filmed. The set includes a DVD of the film itself, a DVD of White Stripes 10th anniversary show (dubbed The White Stripes Under Nova Scotian Lights), a 16-track White Stripes live album recorded during the Canadian trek on both 180 gram vinyl and CD, a live 7″ (featuring “Icky Thump” and “The Wheels on the Bus”), a 208-page book with photos from the tour by Autumn de Wilde (and a foreword by Jim Jarmusch), and a silk screen print. That’s a lot of stuff, but these White Stripes fans might be temporarily satiated by the haul.

Price: $229.00
Buy: Amazon

The National – High Violet Expanded Edition

One of the more celebrated releases of this year gets the deluxe treatment and includes the new version of “Terrible Love” that Alex Young got a surprisingly reasonable explanation for in his recent interview with Aaron Dresner. Seven other bonus tracks populate the two disc collection, which will be available on November 23rd from 4AD.

Price: $13.99
Buy: Amazon

Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz (LP)


Another one of 2010′s standouts might have worried some of the vinyl collectors when only the cd version was released in October. But, alas, the double-vinyl edition has hit stores and will be a great afordable gift for the music fan in your family. Maybe give it to non-music fans as well, it will probably blow their minds.

Price: $18.99
Buy: Amazon

Tom Waits Reissues


While many of our gift options come with choices of the format you wish to receive, T0m Waits makes it easy to decide by only offering vinyl for his albums. Waits is serving up his first four albums — his 1973 debut Closing Time, 1974’s The Heart of Saturday Night, 1975’s Nighthawks at the Diner, and 1976’s Small Change — on 180-gram heavy vinyl, with each LP featuring its original artwork. Early birds can get red vinyl (first 1,000) but later birds get guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery for orders made before December 18th.

Price: Ranges from $24.99 – $37.99 depending on the release
Buy: Kings Road Merch

Modest Mouse Reissues

While many reissues highlight great releases that have been forgotten by time, Modest Mouse offers up up works for the completest only, The Fruit that Ate Itself and Sad Sappy Sucker. But the album that fortunately wasn’t their debut and their early E.P. show young men finding their voice and hinting at future greatness. Non-fans will be bewildered, but devoted mouse-heads will be thrilled by the collections.

Price: $14.98 (CD); $21.98 (LP)
Buy: Glacial Place Recordings

Green Day – 7-Inch Singles Collection Box Set

Michael Roffman was drooling over this gathering of the Bay Area’s rebels’ singles, all on 7-inch vinyl and grouped in a cool carrying box. 42 songs are spread over 21 records, including nine #1 hits. Your boyfriend can bring it to a high-school dance and pretend that you’re living in the 60′s. And that you are still in high school. He might be arrested. But waiting for him in 36 hours will be his Green Day singles. Order them here.

Price: $150
Buy: Green Day Music

The Tim Burton and Danny Elfman 25th Anniversary Box Set

The famous collaboration between filmmaker and musician turns 25, with a commemorative box set available for Christmas and other seasonal holidays. The list of what is included is impossibly long, but 16 cds with original Tim Burton artwork are the meat of the collection. Good for a close relative who is more of a movie buff than a music fan. Or just send it to me. Please. I’ll even tell you where to order it…

Price: $499
Buy: Burtonelfman.com

Tegan and Sara – The Official Vinyl Collection

I’m not sure if there is an unofficial vinyl collection floating around, or if maybe only Tegan approved an older version, but not Sara. Regardless, this is the official collection . The set offers six albums (Sainthood, The Con, So Jealous, If It Was You, This Business Of Art) and the exclusive bonus record, Home Recordings, which features nine demo tracks.

Price: $99
Buy: Because Sound Matters

Bad Religion 30th Anniversary Box Set

Another vinyl-only offering, but this one is limited to only 3,000 sets. Basically, it is every Bad Religion album ever produced on red vinyl and then put in a cool box because everyone loves things in boxes. If you are wondering about the quantity of records, because Bad Religion has been around for 30 years, well, you are right, there are a lot of records in the collection – 15 in fact. Get the records for your husband, keep the box for yourself. Order here.

Price: $224.99
Buy: Kings Road Merch

Matador at 21 Box Set

Released in conjunction with one of the best music festivals of the year, this box set is one of the rare occasions where the CD edition is more collectible than the vinyl – especially given that the CD set is currently out of stock (which should be available soon). In addition to 6 CDs, all spanning the label’s history, the set is boxed with 36 custom poker chips in three values, an 85-page perfect bound book with history of the label, photos, ephemera, emails, and more. The vinyl edition, however, only features disc five of the set, but it’s also much less money and, arguably, could be a creative gift for the hard-to-shop-for type. Get it here.

Price: $12.00 (Double LP); $35 (CD)
Buy: Matador Records

Linkin Park – A Thousand Suns Deluxe Fan Edition Box Set

While many of the other gift ideas offer choices in the format you wish to order, Linkin Park says why not have them all. For the hard rock or rap fan and particularly for fans of both, this gift includes a custom hinged box, two 12 vinyl records, a CD Digipak of A Thousand Suns, a DVD Digipack of the documentary Meeting Of A Thousand Suns and a hardcover art book. Fans of the band will be pumped. Non-fans will give you a strange look while thinking “they don’t know me at all.” But hey, no risk, no reward.

Price: $99.99
Buy: Linkinpark.com

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: California 2019 Edition

Judging by internet chatter and pure speculation, the new My Chemical Romance album finds the group having to rebuild a little after such a long absence. But they still have a loyal following, and this deluxe version of the new album will probably excite them more than you’d imagine. Along with the album, this set comes with “1 of four different 12-inch collectible ray guns made out of poly resin with four separate color schemes representing each band member’s gun with a clear acrylic stand and placard for display, an exclusive EP with three songs by The Mad Gear & Missile Kid, 1 of 4 wearable masks, 1 ‘Bad Luck Beads’ wooden bracelet, a 48-page photo booklet entitled Art Is The Weapon.” Actually seems like a good deal compared to some of this other stuff. Order it here.

Price: $69.99
Buy: Mychemicalromance.com

Music of The Beatles

Yes, I know, music from the fabulous four is by no means new. But in the week since Apple announced they had convinced The Beatles to come to iTunes, nearly 45,000 Beatles albums have been sold. So even if you own their entire discography, quite a few people apparently do not. That it mind, let’s be honest: tangible compact disks are still reasonable choices, and chances are whoever you are buying for is savvy enough to place that CD into their computer and upload the songs, then add them to their mobile device. And sure this sounds like work, but it also sounds like you get more for your money, like album art and something to open on Christmas morning. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Price: $1.49 and up.
Buy: iTunes (Digitally); Amazon (Physically)

Weezer – Pinkerton Deluxe Edition

Odds are you own this already. But, in the slight chance you don’t, there isn’t a beter time to pick up this classic than now. Originally panned by fans and critics alike, Weezer‘s sophomore diamond, Pinkerton, remains one of the most definitive albums in alternative rock. For physical enthusiasts – which should be all of you – you’re in for a treat. Not only do you get the original album remastered, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy 25 additional tracks, which includes unreleased tunes like “Tragic Girl”, some B-sides, and a slew of live material. Maybe it’ll get you jazzed enough to check the band out on their Blinkerton Tour. They do have some pretty sick openers.

Price: $20.46 (CD), $52.12 (Vinyl)
Buy: Amazon

November 22nd and Beyond

Reissues are not the only gifts for the music lover in your life. In fact, a good haul of new music has still yet to see the light of day in 2010. Here is a very brief rundown of a few highlights that would make for affordable and desirable presents for people of all ages…mostly for younger folks though.

Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy


Never heard of it? Well it’s supposed to be good, you know, for “rap”. In truth, if you just bought this for everyone you know, the world would be an interesting place. And it is a shame that many people will ignore this album based on who Kanye is (or who they think he is), when I have never heard the phrase “I hate him, but that album its really good” more often…

Price: $9.99
Buy: Amazon

Jay-Z – The Hits Collection Volume 1


Jay-Z will be competing against himself, as he is featured prominently on the Kanye West album. But this hits compilation is looking for more of an endurance race, setting itself up to be one of those classic records that introduces the next generation to the New York rapper. There are multiple packages ranging from modest CD’s to a collector’s edition box set.

Price: $17.99 – $199.98 depending on package
Buy: Island Def Jam

Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Soundtrack


Something for a different fan base (or not, Kanye did use Daft Punk prominently at one time), Daft Punk return to the scene with their score of the new Tron movie. While it is hard to imagine it being successful as both a dance album and a soundtrack, if anyone could pull it off, it is Daft Punk. Order the album for a hip stocking stuffer today.

Price: $11.99
Buy: Amazon

Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday


And look, another Kanye collaborator, it’s like six degrees of Kevin Bacon, but it’s one degree of Kanye. Much less fun than the original game. But this album has the possibility to be just as big as the more established names listed here. Expect to hear this name a lot in the coming years.

Price: $12.99
Buy: Amazon

Christmas Albums

Yeah, we know that holiday albums can be the worst things in the fucking world. When I was growing up, the rotation was John Denver (actually not so bad), Johnny Mathis (yuck!), and Willie Nelson (yeah, this should be the coolest, but it was the worst. Willie just has a bad playlist). But Christmas doesn’t have to be so bad. Many of your favorite bands have made Christmas singles over the years, but few have made full-on Christmas albums. Here are a few of our picks to piss off your parents the one time of year when you usually have no say on the music.

The Raveonettes – Wishing You A Rave Christmas


This mini-album from a couple years back offers a choice in Christmas tunes for the more rebellious members of your family. A perfect, digital stocking stuffer for the teens.

Price: $3.33
Buy: Zunior

Bright Eyes – A Christmas Album


In 2002, Bright Eyes was Conor Oberst on the verge of manhood, struggling with all the complexities in life, only more vocally than most. This Christmas collection was made around the time Lifted... was being supported, so that makes Oberst a 22-year-old making one of the most mature of career moves. Get this for the younger music fans in your life and watch them enjoy this sort of time capsule from one of our most intriguing artists, who now is hardly the same as the boy on this record.

Price: $11.00
Buy: Saddle Creek

Sufjan Stevens – Songs for Christmas

This is an old set, but, well, there just aren’t a lot of Christmas albums by artists that young people like. So why not revisit this Sufjan Stevens holiday collection. A fun fact is that Stevens actually hated Christmas carols and took on creating a new CD of Christmas tunes nearly every year, beginning in 2001 until 2005. This is the collection of that work, for a very reasonable price. Enjoy one of America’s great artists tackling one of our great traditions and order here.

Price: $13.99
Buy: Amazon

Low – Christmas

This is another older collection, but is notable this year in that Low is touring in December behind the first ever vinyl release of Christmas. The record features a mix of classic tunes with Low originals. all with seasonal messages and or implications. Order it here.

Price: $7.81
Buy: Amazon

Michael McDonald – This Christmas

If you have a secret Santa, get them the Michael McDonald Christmas album, titled This Christmas. Then write in the comments field what their reaction was. It will be funny, right?

Price: $9.99
Buy: Amazon

Gift Wrapped 2: Snowed In

When I originally put the gift guide together, it was hard to find many Christmas albums that I could recommend to our younger audience, so I was pleased to see the announcement of Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In, a new Christmas record featuring up and coming artists next to the biggest names in the music world. Of note: Tegan and Sara take on “The Chimpmunk Song” anf The Flaming Lips offer their live-take on “The Little Drummer Boy”. Neil Young, Regina Spector, and Devo also appear, so buying this for your mom could be a smart long-term investment for your continued mental sanity as the years filled with the same music start to add up

Price: $8.99
Buy: Amazon

Record Store Day

Record Store Day returns with another event for music fans (this should really be called Record Store Days). I could list out everything that is going to be at your local record shop on Black Friday, but that is another post altogether, so let me just highlight a few of the best gifts that are only available through certain stores and in limited capacity. All the relevant information you could want is available at Record Store Day’s website. Here is just a bit of what you can find:

– Soundgarden - Telephantasm 7″ featuring the previously unreleased track “The Telephantasm” , and previously unreleased live version of “Gun.

– The Gaslight Anthem  -Tumblin Dice 7″ Never before released cover of Rolling Stones song. B-side is NOT the Beatles song, it’s an original Gaslight anthem song. Four colors of vinyl; cover art matches vinyl color. Randomly distributed.

– The Black Keys - Brothers Double 12″ with bonus 10″. The six tracks on the 10″ are live tracks, all performed by the quartet: Side A:” Everlasting Light,” “Next Girl,” “Tighten Up” Side B: “Howlin’For You”, “She’s Long Gone”, “Too Afraid To Love You”.

– Frank Sinatra – Jolly Christmas 12” vinyl reissue. Originally released in 1957, Sinatra’s first holiday release has been certified platinum, and is released for the first time in 40 years on vinyl, exclusively to indie stores.

– Jimi Hendrix – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 10″ green vinyl single

– Pantera- Cowboys from Hell: The Demos on 180 gram vinyl

Maybe Something Practical

While box sets and vinyl are awesome, they are more appreciated for their value and rarity than their actual functionality. And I don’t know about your corner of the country, but mine is still having some hard times. And though it might not be as sexy, sometimes a practical gift that will actually save your loved one time and/or money is the better way to go. Here are some of our more reasonable gift ideas.

Rhapsody

Rhapsody is a music lovers dream resource, all for a lower price than nearly everything in the “Collectibles” section. More than 10 million songs are available to hear on you phone, computer, MP3 player, iPad, car stereo, or pager (probably not). Unlimited downloads are now available for iPhones and Droids, and soon for Blackberrys. Plus you can gift it for 10 bucks a month. Kind of a no-brainer for pleasing a relative without having to know, really, anything about them. Also a safe bet for people you suspect do not know how to download free music illegally (i.e. not men 14-25). But for the rather large demographic that are  a not these men, order it here.

Record Stores

Though we have readers everywhere, we want to encourage supporting your local record stores. We obviously can’t list them from everywhere, but here are some links to find gift certificates or other items on this list.

Chicago

New York

Los Angeles

LA/Bay Area

Concert Tickets

How is seeing live entertainment practical? Concerts can lift the spirit, create a sense of belonging, and offer up lasting memories, which says more than I can say about box sets. In defense of box sets, they do come in cool boxes. But check out the wide range of tickets available at Seat Geek and put them in a cool box. It’s the best of both worlds. Shop here.

Subpop Winter Wear

My favorite thing to do when I get a sweater as a gift is to pretend I’m El Guapo from three amigos, and announce “It’s a sweater!”. It gets a laugh, I let the person know that I think their gift is worth joking about, and, in the end, I have a practical keeper of warmth that I will never truly appreciate. If it said Sub Pop on it, I would like it more. Buy something here.

Sub Pop Auction Items

On a somber note, Sub Pop recnet lost one of their own to a car accident recently. The music community seems to really be banding together to raise some money for Andy Kotowicz’s wife and daughter, to try to make this difficult time even slightly easier. The auction is already underway, and features items from Pearl Jam, Muse, The White Stripes and tons more. For those seeking one of a kind music items, the money will help bring happiness to the gift recipient and comfort to the Kotowicz’s.

Also for people near Seattle or Ann Arbor, a great idea would be to take the family to one of the benefit concerts that Sub Pop has planned. Fruit Bats, Vetiver and Mudhoney are just a few of the bands involved.

Price: Seattle on December 4th – $20, Ann Arbor on Decemeber 8th – $5
Buy: Seattle Tickets
Ann Arbor Tickets
Auction

Animal Collective shoes

Anyone who thinks shoes and music are strange companions hasn’t seen my badass No Age sneakers. Animal Collective is in on the shoe game as well, with each member designing a shoe to raise money for Socorro Island Conservation Fund. More importantly, the shoes look cool and come with a cassette tape featuring one new song from each member, I like Panda’s camouflage ones. Pre-order for March shipping here.

Mastadon Backpack

People who like metal also like wearing backpacks, it’s a weird bit of chemistry. Or maybe most people grow out of metal about the time they stop needing a backpack for school. One thing is for certain, though, no one is too old for Mastadon or a Mastadon backpack. Buy it here and give the gift of storage for the person on the go. Or for students.

Wavves… uh… shirts?

Well, it’s practical! Though it is hard to find right now, the Wavves weed grinder is probably the coolest merch item around and would be a good collectors item for the non-420 friendly. Wavves also sells shirts. Oh, and music. He also sells music here.

Not Just Albums

Because sometimes, just sometimes, it’s nice to give the ears a rest and the eyes a treat. Plus, what else are you going to do wrapped up in that Weezer snuggie (that was so last year, by the way) on the couch? Exactly.

When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors

Directed by Tom DiCillo, and narrated by Johnny Depp, this film sets out to capture The Doors exactly how they were. If you’re still distraught and up in arms over the 1991 bio-pic from Oliver Stone, then this film’s for you. It’s filled with rare archival footage, which really gives you a personal and intimate look at the group. So, if you’re still convinced Jim Morrison was nothing but a “drunken bafoon”, well, here’s something to settle the score. Sort of.

Price: $13.99
Buy: Amazon

Regina Spector – Live in London


Of course we have to give a nod to the person our website is named for. She has her first live album now available for Channukah gifts for all your extended family. She is the best ever, so buy, like, 20.

Price: $22.99
Buy: Amazon

Phish – Alpine Valley 2010


Phish fans are a special breed. I’m sure most of them have this set on cassette tape with soundboard quality audio that they traded by mail for a bag of oats. But in case you have a loved one who may not have this particular Phish concert, a DVD/CD combo of it would be a hell of a gift. This will also make for a good last-minute shopping item, as it will be released on December 14th and should still be in stock around Christmas.

Buy: $19.22
Price: Amazon

The Merge Records Companion and Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records

Though nothing says “I’m a nerd” like reading, this might be a good gift for someone in your life who needs to toughen up. This book will surely bring ridicule and scorn to them, but it might be a growing experience. Plus, if you must read, these books are good place to do it, offering histories of Merge and the records that make it elite. Order them together and keep one for yourself.

Price: $30.98
Buy: Merge Records

The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria DVD

If you are not familiar with the Big Four, it’s a grouping of the four biggest and baddest metal reputations to ever come to fruition. Just the names alone would strike fear in my young heart in the 80′s, especially my brother Ride The Lightning shirt. Not as scary as his Iron Maiden gear, but still intimidating. Well, this golden marketing scheme that put all of these groups together gets a DVD set for anyone who missed the events. The viewable music pieces come with five audio pieces, which could mean one nastily headache after many hours of straight headbanging.

Price: $55.99
Buy: Amazon

Velvet Revolver – Live In Houston DVD

Relatives come in all shapes and sizes. The ones who you just can’t peg, who might be motorcycle rider or a homeless heroin addict, they are equally hard to shop for as they are to show up for their court date. But I know the type and one thing they love…is Guns N’ Roses. But Velvet Revolver is also probably up there and this live DVD would be a great present to have waiting when they get outta the slammer in August.

Price: $13.99
Buy: Amazon

Jonsi - Go Live


Though it seems a little early to remember this tour, Jonsi wants you to remember it nonetheless. While you won’t experience him in a small room anytime soon, with Go Live, you can watch it with the recipient of the DVD/CD set in any small room you want. And for our grandparents out there, if you notice a young person in your family taking a liking to Indian-inspired attire, this is the gift for them. Trust me.

Price: $15 (Digital); $20 (Physical)
Buy: Jonsi.com

Feist – Look at What the Light Did Now


When Feist had her screening of Look at What the Light Did Now in LA, it happened to be the same night LCD Soundsystem played the bowl. But now me and the millions of others across the nation who didn’t get to see her one-off screenings will be able to purchase the documentary. If you have a Feist fan on you shopping list, there is a quite good chance that they have not seen this film. If they have, though, then you could probably buy it for them pretty safely, anyhow, as any fan would want this. Order it today!

Price: $24.49
Buy: Amazon

Roky Erickson & The Black Angels – Night Of The Vampire

Though Okkervil River brought the legendary 13th Floor Elevator’s singer Roky Erickson back to a largest audience this year, it was The Black Angels who helped him regain his performance footing with a full band, which is documented on this DVD made available for Record Store Day and continuing sales at local record shops. The film, directed by Grant James, captures a Halloween concert from the two artists at L.A.’s El Rey Theater in 2008, mixing live footage, interviews and backstage footage. What was surely a special night can be relived by your lovable stoner nephew, and it could work as both inspiration and entertainment for the little dead-beat.

Price: Unknown
Buy: Your Local Record Store, try here after Friday.

Ridiculous/Fun

Wherever there is money, there will always be pointless merchandise. But sometimes, this is the best kind of gift because it could inspire laughter or even sentimentality. Though they are often completely useless, the thought that goes into getting them for the right person is often better than the actual gift.

CBGB

Sure, you could get the punk fan in your life a shirt or some records from the late 70′s, but the ultimate in punk nostalgia is available to the highest bidder. Yes, it is CBGB. No you don’t get the historic club. What you do get is the marketing rights and the name to do as you wish. Just don’t screw it up or you’ll have to give it back. No word yet on when the bidding begins, but if I know anything about eBay and auctions, making an offer soon is for the best.

Daft Punk Tron Edition Headphones

Have you ever watched old Daft Punk performances and thought, “Goddammit, I wish I could look that cool.” Well, odds are, you’ll probably never be that cool. But, there’s a slim chance you might at least feel cool – even if it’s for a few minutes. This Christmas, in light of the new film Tron: Legacy, Daft Punk has issued a set of headphones (seems to be the trend these days) in the style of the new Disney event. For the “easy” price of $349.95, you can be the coolest cat in your neighborhood. Then again, as Dana Grossman pointed out recently, “This could either be very fun (if you’re alone) or incredibly annoying (if I’m sitting next to you on the subway), so keep that in mind.” Also, if $349.95 isn’t in your budget, then perhaps $299.95 is? Amazon.com is selling a strictly Tron-edition set, with no affiliation to Daft Punk, that’s more geared towards gaming. However, looking at the two headphones, they’re essentially the same thing. To quote Lindsay Buckingham, “You can go your own way.”

Devo Energy Dome DJ Headphones

We are not men, we are Devo consumers. Pretty shiny stuff catches our eye all the time. Devo’s Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh understand that. They also know how crucial high-definition audio is to the dedicated listener. That’s why they’ve taken their trademark Energy Domes and have designed a sleek, retro pair of Devo-endorsed headphones. Their website insists they’re “made to channel a mix of quality audio & hearty orgone energy to your head”, so by all means get your energy fix today. They do cost a penny or two ($50), but quality doesn’t come cheap, ya’ll.

The White Stripes… Whatever This Is.

First of all, the idea of anyone spending 500 bucks on records is crazy to me. But if someone wants to buy this pretty damn cool, in the completely frivolous kind of way, collection, I would gladly accept (and then sell it for $400). The turntable explains the cost, but fanatics of boxes receive two here, so, yes, it pretty much is the ultimate box set. Only 333 were made, so be sure that your Jack White fan gets what his little heart desires. Order here.

Third Man Records Custom ‘Master Blaster’ Headphones

Between The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather, there are more than a few ways to support Jack White and his commitment to the arts. And his commitment to rocking. Well, he also has a record label which could use some of your supporting. These Third Man Records headphones both look cool and and have all kinds of technical information which leads me to believe they work well, too. But who cares if they work well as long as they look cool. Order them here and give the gift of social acceptance this holiday season.

Sub Pop Slip Mat

If a cover for your record player’s platter seems pointless, read this frightening product description from Sub Pop:”Let’s face it, one of the greatest problems facing our nation—our world, even—is an unadorned turntable platter. Records are scratched due to harsh platters—or worse yet, records aren’t scratched because of too much friction from platters!” Yeah, well I think it might not be totally needed, but it says Sub Pop. Order it now.

Foxy Shazam Stuff

I have found no evidence that this exists, other than the picture. I suggest looking toward Warner, as they are the ones who are pushing it. Totally awesome.

Paul Westerberg & The Replacements Tab Book

Ever find yourself walking home alone, wasted after a night with friends, only to turn to your guitar (and drink some more)? If you’re a sappy, wishful songwriter, sure you have. Well, now you can perfectly soundtrack the night yourself, all thanks to Hal Leonard. He recently published Paul Westerberg & The Replacements, a guitar tab book featuring some of Westie’s best stuff. You can learn “I’ll Be You”, hum over the right chords for “Dyslexic Heart”, and then moan unintelligibly over a (most likely) horrible rendition of “Unsatisfied”. Who says being alone on a Friday night, doing the whole frozen pizza thing, is a bad idea? It isn’t now! Pick up the book here.

Taylor Swift Guitar Picks

If your family gatherings tend to be long and boring, why not try to spice it up with Taylor Swift guitar picks. When your sister pulls them out of her stocking, stand up and announce that your cousin Sandy should have the picks because she is a better guitar player than your sister. And because you are drunk. Laugh hysterically while your sister runs away crying and finally, keep the picks for yourself. Start this chain of events today by shopping here.

Fatburger

With their tasty egg and bacon sandwiches, kind of creepy but strangely filing Island Banana shakes and of course, the King Burgers, it’s no surprise that everyone wants to own their own Fatburger. But now that Kanye West is in on the franchise, it will be a much different situation.

When the kids see that Kanye got himself a Fatburger, the restaurant might become the new pony for kids under the age of eight, a gift desired for the sole reason of wanting to make their parents feel inadequate. I just want more Fatburgers. Yum.

Price: Everyone will hate you and take shots at you at any opportunity, despite the quality of your work.
Buy: Fatburger

]]> 69 Love Songs on vinyl. Or maybe you have a rock and roll die-hard sharing your bedroom. Check out the Bruce Springsteen reissue or, perhaps, the Green Day singles box set. They'll love you forever. And what about the millions who logged on every G.O.O.D. Friday? Apparently there's a pretty big record around the bend. But if less effort is preferred, why not play it safe with Michael McDonald's This Christmas? A holiday record from everyone's favorite former Doobie? Done deal. And we're just dipping our toes in here. Check out the CoS gift guide and have a happy end to your year. Note: We'll be adding new items to the guide throughout the holiday season, so please check back often. Collectibles How do you know you should be shopping for collectible music items for your loved one? If they even know how to use a record player, this section is a safe bet. Another tip-off could be their insistence on decorating with posters, despite being over the age of 22. For people like this, the holiday season brings a host of new releases featuring colored vinyls, gate-fold packaging, individually numbered artwork, and complete discographies whose most notable trait is that they come in a box. The holiday season also brings people willing to buy this often ridiculous, but often awesome, indulgence. Check out some must-haves for the most serious of music-fans, ranging from the individual reissue to the absurdly extensive demo collections. Joy Division - + - Joy Division to the world! For a band that existed for around four years, released one album during that time and one post-humous one, all more than 30 years ago, these always seems to be more music seeing the light of day. This collection contains 10 7-inch remastered singles from the bands brief history and is limited to 5,000 copies. The first 500 sold also receive an art piece from Peter Saville. This is for the rabid fan, but will surely be appreciated. Order here. Price: Sold Out, but you can try eBay... Buy: Again, try eBay! Bruce Springsteen - The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story This collection is already out and its new tracks are getting solid reviews, from what I've seen. But did you need someone to tell you that The Boss released something worth listening to? One of rocks most consistent and genuine voices put together six discs to tell the story of one of his classic albums. Yeah, that's a long story, but the Boss can talk for hours once he gets going. Twenty-one new tracks populate the set, along with live concert footage and a reproduction of his notebook, complete with notes. Perfect for your dad or an aspiring stalker. Or just get the abridged version (two CD's of the new stuff) for fans of reasonable enthusiasm. Price: $79.99 Buy: Amazon The Decemberists - The King is Dead Box Set Okay, so it's not out until January, but c'mon, it's The Decemberists. Arguably set to be next month's hottest release, The King is Dead is another agreeable foray into Colin Meloy's trademark folk rock. This time around, however, fans can expect a sound that hearkens back to the early days of R.E.M., which makes sense given that R.E.M.'s Peter Buck appears on three tracks. If you know a certain someone who enjoys either party, then you might reckon on nabbing this ambitious box set. In addition to being limited in number (2500, to be exact), you'll receive "a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn de Wilde from the Impossible Project/Decemberists series, a 72 page hardcover book featuring over 250 unique Polaroid photographs by Autumn de Wilde and illustrations by Carson Ellis, Pendarvia DVD – a 30 minute short film by Aaron Rose, documenting the making of the album, a limited edition Giclée print illustrated by Carson Ellis," in addition to the actual album on both CD and 180 gram white vinyl. There's more, but go check it out for yourself. Think of it as an adventure. Price: $165, $180 (w/ shirt) Buy: The Decemberists.com T-Rex - The Slider Originally re-released in 1972 and out of print since 2003, this reissue of the classic album is the first in a series of reissues and a good gift option that won't break the bank.T-Rex is beloved by both hipster trash and middle-aged accountants, so both the compact disc and remastered vinyl are available for their intended audience. Order from Fat Possum. Price: $15.18 Buy: Amazon.com Score! 20 Years of Merge Records (Box Set) Released last year to honor one of the generations most influential record labels, this set offers a host of rare tunes for the indie fan in your life. Fourteen CDs with original cover art and bonus content from curators such as Kara Walker, David Byrne, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, and more. Bonus content includes exclusive new recordings from The Minus 5, Lou Barlow, Destroyer, and others. Andrea Zittel, Zach Galifianakis, David Chang, Miranda July, and Phil Morrison provide exclusive videos for their comps. Plus a covers album, remixes album, poster, book and a box to put it all in. Yeah, it's cool, but there are only 200 copies remaining. Price: $219.00 Buy: Merge Records The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs vinyl box set This has been on my wishlist for a couple years now. One of the landmark albums of all-time, this contains all 69 love songs remastered for vinyl on six 10" vinyl records, all housed in a super-sized 69 Love Songs box, with a 10" version of the original booklet featuring liner notes written by Lemony Snicket author Daniel Handler. If you have yet to discover this album, trust me and know that it will make most music fans very happy as a gift. Price: $99.98 Buy: Merge Records The White Stripes - Under The Great Northern Lights Box Set Alex Young is probably angling someone for this. Released last March, this set sees the duo on tour in Canada circa 2007, for which a documentary of the same name was filmed. The set includes a DVD of the film itself, a DVD of White Stripes 10th anniversary show (dubbed The White Stripes Under Nova Scotian Lights), a 16-track White Stripes live album recorded during the Canadian trek on both 180 gram vinyl and CD, a live 7" (featuring "Icky Thump" and "The Wheels on the Bus"), a 208-page book with photos from the tour by Autumn de Wilde (and a foreword by Jim Jarmusch), and a silk screen print. That's a lot of stuff, but these White Stripes fans might be temporarily satiated by the haul. Price: $229.00 Buy: Amazon The National - High Violet Expanded Edition One of the more celebrated releases of this year gets the deluxe treatment and includes the new version of "Terrible Love" that Alex Young got a surprisingly reasonable explanation for in his recent interview with Aaron Dresner. Seven other bonus tracks populate the two disc collection, which will be available on November 23rd from 4AD. Price: $13.99 Buy: Amazon Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz (LP) Another one of 2010's standouts might have worried some of the vinyl collectors when only the cd version was released in October. But, alas, the double-vinyl edition has hit stores and will be a great afordable gift for the music fan in your family. Maybe give it to non-music fans as well, it will probably blow their minds. Price: $18.99 Buy: Amazon Tom Waits Reissues While many of our gift options come with choices of the format you wish to receive, T0m Waits makes it easy to decide by only offering vinyl for his albums. Waits is serving up his first four albums — his 1973 debut Closing Time, 1974’s The Heart of Saturday Night, 1975’s Nighthawks at the Diner, and 1976’s Small Change — on 180-gram heavy vinyl, with each LP featuring its original artwork. Early birds can get red vinyl (first 1,000) but later birds get guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery for orders made before December 18th. Price: Ranges from $24.99 - $37.99 depending on the release Buy: Kings Road Merch Modest Mouse Reissues While many reissues highlight great releases that have been forgotten by time, Modest Mouse offers up up works for the completest only, The Fruit that Ate Itself and Sad Sappy Sucker. But the album that fortunately wasn't their debut and their early E.P. show young men finding their voice and hinting at future greatness. Non-fans will be bewildered, but devoted mouse-heads will be thrilled by the collections. Price: $14.98 (CD); $21.98 (LP) Buy: Glacial Place Recordings Green Day - 7-Inch Singles Collection Box Set Michael Roffman was drooling over this gathering of the Bay Area's rebels' singles, all on 7-inch vinyl and grouped in a cool carrying box. 42 songs are spread over 21 records, including nine #1 hits. Your boyfriend can bring it to a high-school dance and pretend that you're living in the 60's. And that you are still in high school. He might be arrested. But waiting for him in 36 hours will be his Green Day singles. Order them here. Price: $150 Buy: Green Day Music The Tim Burton and Danny Elfman 25th Anniversary Box Set The famous collaboration between filmmaker and musician turns 25, with a commemorative box set available for Christmas and other seasonal holidays. The list of what is included is impossibly long, but 16 cds with original Tim Burton artwork are the meat of the collection. Good for a close relative who is more of a movie buff than a music fan. Or just send it to me. Please. I'll even tell you where to order it... Price: $499 Buy: Burtonelfman.com Tegan and Sara - The Official Vinyl Collection I'm not sure if there is an unofficial vinyl collection floating around, or if maybe only Tegan approved an older version, but not Sara. Regardless, this is the official collection . The set offers six albums (Sainthood, The Con, So Jealous, If It Was You, This Business Of Art) and the exclusive bonus record, Home Recordings, which features nine demo tracks. Price: $99 Buy: Because Sound Matters Bad Religion 30th Anniversary Box Set Another vinyl-only offering, but this one is limited to only 3,000 sets. Basically, it is every Bad Religion album ever produced on red vinyl and then put in a cool box because everyone loves things in boxes. If you are wondering about the quantity of records, because Bad Religion has been around for 30 years, well, you are right, there are a lot of records in the collection - 15 in fact. Get the records for your husband, keep the box for yourself. Order here. Price: $224.99 Buy: Kings Road Merch Matador at 21 Box Set Released in conjunction with one of the best music festivals of the year, this box set is one of the rare occasions where the CD edition is more collectible than the vinyl - especially given that the CD set is currently out of stock (which should be available soon). In addition to 6 CDs, all spanning the label's history, the set is boxed with 36 custom poker chips in three values, an 85-page perfect bound book with history of the label, photos, ephemera, emails, and more. The vinyl edition, however, only features disc five of the set, but it's also much less money and, arguably, could be a creative gift for the hard-to-shop-for type. Get it here. Price: $12.00 (Double LP); $35 (CD) Buy: Matador Records Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns Deluxe Fan Edition Box Set While many of the other gift ideas offer choices in the format you wish to order, Linkin Park says why not have them all. For the hard rock or rap fan and particularly for fans of both, this gift includes a custom hinged box, two 12 vinyl records, a CD Digipak of A Thousand Suns, a DVD Digipack of the documentary Meeting Of A Thousand Suns and a hardcover art book. Fans of the band will be pumped. Non-fans will give you a strange look while thinking "they don't know me at all." But hey, no risk, no reward. Price: $99.99 Buy: Linkinpark.com My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: California 2019 Edition Judging by internet chatter and pure speculation, the new My Chemical Romance album finds the group having to rebuild a little after such a long absence. But they still have a loyal following, and this deluxe version of the new album will probably excite them more than you'd imagine. Along with the album, this set comes with “1 of four different 12-inch collectible ray guns made out of poly resin with four separate color schemes representing each band member’s gun with a clear acrylic stand and placard for display, an exclusive EP with three songs by The Mad Gear & Missile Kid, 1 of 4 wearable masks, 1 ‘Bad Luck Beads’ wooden bracelet, a 48-page photo booklet entitled Art Is The Weapon.” Actually seems like a good deal compared to some of this other stuff. Order it here. Price: $69.99 Buy: Mychemicalromance.com Music of The Beatles Yes, I know, music from the fabulous four is by no means new. But in the week since Apple announced they had convinced The Beatles to come to iTunes, nearly 45,000 Beatles albums have been sold. So even if you own their entire discography, quite a few people apparently do not. That it mind, let's be honest: tangible compact disks are still reasonable choices, and chances are whoever you are buying for is savvy enough to place that CD into their computer and upload the songs, then add them to their mobile device. And sure this sounds like work, but it also sounds like you get more for your money, like album art and something to open on Christmas morning. Either way, you can't go wrong. Price: $1.49 and up. Buy: iTunes (Digitally); Amazon (Physically) Weezer - Pinkerton Deluxe Edition Odds are you own this already. But, in the slight chance you don't, there isn't a beter time to pick up this classic than now. Originally panned by fans and critics alike, Weezer's sophomore diamond, Pinkerton, remains one of the most definitive albums in alternative rock. For physical enthusiasts - which should be all of you - you're in for a treat. Not only do you get the original album remastered, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy 25 additional tracks, which includes unreleased tunes like "Tragic Girl", some B-sides, and a slew of live material. Maybe it'll get you jazzed enough to check the band out on their Blinkerton Tour. They do have some pretty sick openers. Price: $20.46 (CD), $52.12 (Vinyl) Buy: Amazon November 22nd and Beyond Reissues are not the only gifts for the music lover in your life. In fact, a good haul of new music has still yet to see the light of day in 2010. Here is a very brief rundown of a few highlights that would make for affordable and desirable presents for people of all ages...mostly for younger folks though. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Never heard of it? Well it's supposed to be good, you know, for "rap". In truth, if you just bought this for everyone you know, the world would be an interesting place. And it is a shame that many people will ignore this album based on who Kanye is (or who they think he is), when I have never heard the phrase "I hate him, but that album its really good" more often... Price: $9.99 Buy: Amazon Jay-Z - The Hits Collection Volume 1 Jay-Z will be competing against himself, as he is featured prominently on the Kanye West album. But this hits compilation is looking for more of an endurance race, setting itself up to be one of those classic records that introduces the next generation to the New York rapper. There are multiple packages ranging from modest CD's to a collector's edition box set. Price: $17.99 - $199.98 depending on package Buy: Island Def Jam Daft Punk - Tron: Legacy Soundtrack Something for a different fan base (or not, Kanye did use Daft Punk prominently at one time), Daft Punk return to the scene with their score of the new Tron movie. While it is hard to imagine it being successful as both a dance album and a soundtrack, if anyone could pull it off, it is Daft Punk. Order the album for a hip stocking stuffer today. Price: $11.99 Buy: Amazon Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday And look, another Kanye collaborator, it's like six degrees of Kevin Bacon, but it's one degree of Kanye. Much less fun than the original game. But this album has the possibility to be just as big as the more established names listed here. Expect to hear this name a lot in the coming years. Price: $12.99 Buy: Amazon Christmas Albums Yeah, we know that holiday albums can be the worst things in the fucking world. When I was growing up, the rotation was John Denver (actually not so bad), Johnny Mathis (yuck!), and Willie Nelson (yeah, this should be the coolest, but it was the worst. Willie just has a bad playlist). But Christmas doesn't have to be so bad. Many of your favorite bands have made Christmas singles over the years, but few have made full-on Christmas albums. Here are a few of our picks to piss off your parents the one time of year when you usually have no say on the music. The Raveonettes - Wishing You A Rave Christmas This mini-album from a couple years back offers a choice in Christmas tunes for the more rebellious members of your family. A perfect, digital stocking stuffer for the teens. Price: $3.33 Buy: Zunior Bright Eyes - A Christmas Album In 2002, Bright Eyes was Conor Oberst on the verge of manhood, struggling with all the complexities in life, only more vocally than most. This Christmas collection was made around the time Lifted... was being supported, so that makes Oberst a 22-year-old making one of the most mature of career moves. Get this for the younger music fans in your life and watch them enjoy this sort of time capsule from one of our most intriguing artists, who now is hardly the same as the boy on this record. Price: $11.00 Buy: Saddle Creek Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas This is an old set, but, well, there just aren't a lot of Christmas albums by artists that young people like. So why not revisit this Sufjan Stevens holiday collection. A fun fact is that Stevens actually hated Christmas carols and took on creating a new CD of Christmas tunes nearly every year, beginning in 2001 until 2005. This is the collection of that work, for a very reasonable price. Enjoy one of America's great artists tackling one of our great traditions and order here. Price: $13.99 Buy: Amazon Low - Christmas This is another older collection, but is notable this year in that Low is touring in December behind the first ever vinyl release of Christmas. The record features a mix of classic tunes with Low originals. all with seasonal messages and or implications. Order it here. Price: $7.81 Buy: Amazon Michael McDonald - This Christmas If you have a secret Santa, get them the Michael McDonald Christmas album, titled This Christmas. Then write in the comments field what their reaction was. It will be funny, right? Price: $9.99 Buy: Amazon Gift Wrapped 2: Snowed In When I originally put the gift guide together, it was hard to find many Christmas albums that I could recommend to our younger audience, so I was pleased to see the announcement of Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In, a new Christmas record featuring up and coming artists next to the biggest names in the music world. Of note: Tegan and Sara take on "The Chimpmunk Song" anf The Flaming Lips offer their live-take on "The Little Drummer Boy". Neil Young, Regina Spector, and Devo also appear, so buying this for your mom could be a smart long-term investment for your continued mental sanity as the years filled with the same music start to add up Price: $8.99 Buy: Amazon Record Store Day Record Store Day returns with another event for music fans (this should really be called Record Store Days). I could list out everything that is going to be at your local record shop on Black Friday, but that is another post altogether, so let me just highlight a few of the best gifts that are only available through certain stores and in limited capacity. All the relevant information you could want is available at Record Store Day's website. Here is just a bit of what you can find: -- Soundgarden - Telephantasm 7" featuring the previously unreleased track "The Telephantasm" , and previously unreleased live version of "Gun. -- The Gaslight Anthem  -Tumblin Dice 7" Never before released cover of Rolling Stones song. B-side is NOT the Beatles song, it's an original Gaslight anthem song. Four colors of vinyl; cover art matches vinyl color. Randomly distributed. -- The Black Keys - Brothers Double 12" with bonus 10". The six tracks on the 10" are live tracks, all performed by the quartet: Side A:" Everlasting Light," "Next Girl," "Tighten Up" Side B: "Howlin'For You", "She's Long Gone", "Too Afraid To Love You". -- Frank Sinatra - Jolly Christmas 12" vinyl reissue. Originally released in 1957, Sinatra's first holiday release has been certified platinum, and is released for the first time in 40 years on vinyl, exclusively to indie stores. -- Jimi Hendrix - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 10" green vinyl single -- Pantera- Cowboys from Hell: The Demos on 180 gram vinyl Maybe Something Practical While box sets and vinyl are awesome, they are more appreciated for their value and rarity than their actual functionality. And I don't know about your corner of the country, but mine is still having some hard times. And though it might not be as sexy, sometimes a practical gift that will actually save your loved one time and/or money is the better way to go. Here are some of our more reasonable gift ideas. Rhapsody Rhapsody is a music lovers dream resource, all for a lower price than nearly everything in the "Collectibles" section. More than 10 million songs are available to hear on you phone, computer, MP3 player, iPad, car stereo, or pager (probably not). Unlimited downloads are now available for iPhones and Droids, and soon for Blackberrys. Plus you can gift it for 10 bucks a month. Kind of a no-brainer for pleasing a relative without having to know, really, anything about them. Also a safe bet for people you suspect do not know how to download free music illegally (i.e. not men 14-25). But for the rather large demographic that are  a not these men, order it here. Record Stores Though we have readers everywhere, we want to encourage supporting your local record stores. We obviously can't list them from everywhere, but here are some links to find gift certificates or other items on this list. Chicago Dave's Records Reckless Records Laurie's Planet of Sound Vintage Vinyl Records Jazz Record Mart Dusty Groove America Permanent Records New York Other Music Generation Records Sound Fix Earwax Records Academy Annex Los Angeles Origami LA/Bay Area Amoeba Concert Tickets How is seeing live entertainment practical? Concerts can lift the spirit, create a sense of belonging, and offer up lasting memories, which says more than I can say about box sets. In defense of box sets, they do come in cool boxes. But check out the wide range of tickets available at Seat Geek and put them in a cool box. It's the best of both worlds. Shop here. Subpop Winter Wear My favorite thing to do when I get a sweater as a gift is to pretend I'm El Guapo from three amigos, and announce "It's a sweater!". It gets a laugh, I let the person know that I think their gift is worth joking about, and, in the end, I have a practical keeper of warmth that I will never truly appreciate. If it said Sub Pop on it, I would like it more. Buy something here. Sub Pop Auction Items On a somber note, Sub Pop recnet lost one of their own to a car accident recently. The music community seems to really be banding together to raise some money for Andy Kotowicz's wife and daughter, to try to make this difficult time even slightly easier. The auction is already underway, and features items from Pearl Jam, Muse, The White Stripes and tons more. For those seeking one of a kind music items, the money will help bring happiness to the gift recipient and comfort to the Kotowicz's. Also for people near Seattle or Ann Arbor, a great idea would be to take the family to one of the benefit concerts that Sub Pop has planned. Fruit Bats, Vetiver and Mudhoney are just a few of the bands involved. Price: Seattle on December 4th - $20, Ann Arbor on Decemeber 8th - $5 Buy: Seattle Tickets Ann Arbor Tickets Auction Animal Collective shoes Anyone who thinks shoes and music are strange companions hasn't seen my badass No Age sneakers. Animal Collective is in on the shoe game as well, with each member designing a shoe to raise money for Socorro Island Conservation Fund. More importantly, the shoes look cool and come with a cassette tape featuring one new song from each member, I like Panda's camouflage ones. Pre-order for March shipping here. Mastadon Backpack People who like metal also like wearing backpacks, it's a weird bit of chemistry. Or maybe most people grow out of metal about the time they stop needing a backpack for school. One thing is for certain, though, no one is too old for Mastadon or a Mastadon backpack. Buy it here and give the gift of storage for the person on the go. Or for students. Wavves… uh… shirts? Well, it's practical! Though it is hard to find right now, the Wavves weed grinder is probably the coolest merch item around and would be a good collectors item for the non-420 friendly. Wavves also sells shirts. Oh, and music. He also sells music here. Not Just Albums Because sometimes, just sometimes, it's nice to give the ears a rest and the eyes a treat. Plus, what else are you going to do wrapped up in that Weezer snuggie (that was so last year, by the way) on the couch? Exactly. When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors Directed by Tom DiCillo, and narrated by Johnny Depp, this film sets out to capture The Doors exactly how they were. If you're still distraught and up in arms over the 1991 bio-pic from Oliver Stone, then this film's for you. It's filled with rare archival footage, which really gives you a personal and intimate look at the group. So, if you're still convinced Jim Morrison was nothing but a "drunken bafoon", well, here's something to settle the score. Sort of. Price: $13.99 Buy: Amazon Regina Spector - Live in London Of course we have to give a nod to the person our website is named for. She has her first live album now available for Channukah gifts for all your extended family. She is the best ever, so buy, like, 20. Price: $22.99 Buy: Amazon Phish - Alpine Valley 2010 Phish fans are a special breed. I'm sure most of them have this set on cassette tape with soundboard quality audio that they traded by mail for a bag of oats. But in case you have a loved one who may not have this particular Phish concert, a DVD/CD combo of it would be a hell of a gift. This will also make for a good last-minute shopping item, as it will be released on December 14th and should still be in stock around Christmas. Buy: $19.22 Price: Amazon The Merge Records Companion and Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records Though nothing says "I'm a nerd" like reading, this might be a good gift for someone in your life who needs to toughen up. This book will surely bring ridicule and scorn to them, but it might be a growing experience. Plus, if you must read, these books are good place to do it, offering histories of Merge and the records that make it elite. Order them together and keep one for yourself. Price: $30.98 Buy: Merge Records The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria DVD If you are not familiar with the Big Four, it's a grouping of the four biggest and baddest metal reputations to ever come to fruition. Just the names alone would strike fear in my young heart in the 80's, especially my brother Ride The Lightning shirt. Not as scary as his Iron Maiden gear, but still intimidating. Well, this golden marketing scheme that put all of these groups together gets a DVD set for anyone who missed the events. The viewable music pieces come with five audio pieces, which could mean one nastily headache after many hours of straight headbanging. Price: $55.99 Buy: Amazon Velvet Revolver - Live In Houston DVD Relatives come in all shapes and sizes. The ones who you just can't peg, who might be motorcycle rider or a homeless heroin addict, they are equally hard to shop for as they are to show up for their court date. But I know the type and one thing they love...is Guns N' Roses. But Velvet Revolver is also probably up there and this live DVD would be a great present to have waiting when they get outta the slammer in August. Price: $13.99 Buy: Amazon Jonsi - Go Live Though it seems a little early to remember this tour, Jonsi wants you to remember it nonetheless. While you won't experience him in a small room anytime soon, with Go Live, you can watch it with the recipient of the DVD/CD set in any small room you want. And for our grandparents out there, if you notice a young person in your family taking a liking to Indian-inspired attire, this is the gift for them. Trust me. Price: $15 (Digital); $20 (Physical) Buy: Jonsi.com Feist - Look at What the Light Did Now When Feist had her screening of Look at What the Light Did Now in LA, it happened to be the same night LCD Soundsystem played the bowl. But now me and the millions of others across the nation who didn't get to see her one-off screenings will be able to purchase the documentary. If you have a Feist fan on you shopping list, there is a quite good chance that they have not seen this film. If they have, though, then you could probably buy it for them pretty safely, anyhow, as any fan would want this. Order it today! Price: $24.49 Buy: Amazon Roky Erickson & The Black Angels - Night Of The Vampire Though Okkervil River brought the legendary 13th Floor Elevator's singer Roky Erickson back to a largest audience this year, it was The Black Angels who helped him regain his performance footing with a full band, which is documented on this DVD made available for Record Store Day and continuing sales at local record shops. The film, directed by Grant James, captures a Halloween concert from the two artists at L.A.'s El Rey Theater in 2008, mixing live footage, interviews and backstage footage. What was surely a special night can be relived by your lovable stoner nephew, and it could work as both inspiration and entertainment for the little dead-beat. Price: Unknown Buy: Your Local Record Store, try here after Friday. Ridiculous/Fun Wherever there is money, there will always be pointless merchandise. But sometimes, this is the best kind of gift because it could inspire laughter or even sentimentality. Though they are often completely useless, the thought that goes into getting them for the right person is often better than the actual gift. CBGB Sure, you could get the punk fan in your life a shirt or some records from the late 70's, but the ultimate in punk nostalgia is available to the highest bidder. Yes, it is CBGB. No you don't get the historic club. What you do get is the marketing rights and the name to do as you wish. Just don't screw it up or you'll have to give it back. No word yet on when the bidding begins, but if I know anything about eBay and auctions, making an offer soon is for the best. Daft Punk Tron Edition Headphones Have you ever watched old Daft Punk performances and thought, "Goddammit, I wish I could look that cool." Well, odds are, you'll probably never be that cool. But, there's a slim chance you might at least feel cool - even if it's for a few minutes. This Christmas, in light of the new film Tron: Legacy, Daft Punk has issued a set of headphones (seems to be the trend these days) in the style of the new Disney event. For the "easy" price of $349.95, you can be the coolest cat in your neighborhood. Then again, as Dana Grossman pointed out recently, "This could either be very fun (if you’re alone) or incredibly annoying (if I’m sitting next to you on the subway), so keep that in mind." Also, if $349.95 isn't in your budget, then perhaps $299.95 is? Amazon.com is selling a strictly Tron-edition set, with no affiliation to Daft Punk, that's more geared towards gaming. However, looking at the two headphones, they're essentially the same thing. To quote Lindsay Buckingham, "You can go your own way." Devo Energy Dome DJ Headphones We are not men, we are Devo consumers. Pretty shiny stuff catches our eye all the time. Devo's Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh understand that. They also know how crucial high-definition audio is to the dedicated listener. That's why they've taken their trademark Energy Domes and have designed a sleek, retro pair of Devo-endorsed headphones. Their website insists they're "made to channel a mix of quality audio & hearty orgone energy to your head", so by all means get your energy fix today. They do cost a penny or two ($50), but quality doesn't come cheap, ya'll. The White Stripes... Whatever This Is. First of all, the idea of anyone spending 500 bucks on records is crazy to me. But if someone wants to buy this pretty damn cool, in the completely frivolous kind of way, collection, I would gladly accept (and then sell it for $400). The turntable explains the cost, but fanatics of boxes receive two here, so, yes, it pretty much is the ultimate box set. Only 333 were made, so be sure that your Jack White fan gets what his little heart desires. Order here. Third Man Records Custom 'Master Blaster' Headphones Between The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather, there are more than a few ways to support Jack White and his commitment to the arts. And his commitment to rocking. Well, he also has a record label which could use some of your supporting. These Third Man Records headphones both look cool and and have all kinds of technical information which leads me to believe they work well, too. But who cares if they work well as long as they look cool. Order them here and give the gift of social acceptance this holiday season. Sub Pop Slip Mat If a cover for your record player's platter seems pointless, read this frightening product description from Sub Pop:"Let’s face it, one of the greatest problems facing our nation—our world, even—is an unadorned turntable platter. Records are scratched due to harsh platters—or worse yet, records aren’t scratched because of too much friction from platters!" Yeah, well I think it might not be totally needed, but it says Sub Pop. Order it now. Foxy Shazam Stuff I have found no evidence that this exists, other than the picture. I suggest looking toward Warner, as they are the ones who are pushing it. Totally awesome. Paul Westerberg & The Replacements Tab Book Ever find yourself walking home alone, wasted after a night with friends, only to turn to your guitar (and drink some more)? If you're a sappy, wishful songwriter, sure you have. Well, now you can perfectly soundtrack the night yourself, all thanks to Hal Leonard. He recently published Paul Westerberg & The Replacements, a guitar tab book featuring some of Westie's best stuff. You can learn "I'll Be You", hum over the right chords for "Dyslexic Heart", and then moan unintelligibly over a (most likely) horrible rendition of "Unsatisfied". Who says being alone on a Friday night, doing the whole frozen pizza thing, is a bad idea? It isn't now! Pick up the book here. Taylor Swift Guitar Picks If your family gatherings tend to be long and boring, why not try to spice it up with Taylor Swift guitar picks. When your sister pulls them out of her stocking, stand up and announce that your cousin Sandy should have the picks because she is a better guitar player than your sister. And because you are drunk. Laugh hysterically while your sister runs away crying and finally, keep the picks for yourself. Start this chain of events today by shopping here. Fatburger With their tasty egg and bacon sandwiches, kind of creepy but strangely filing Island Banana shakes and of course, the King Burgers, it's no surprise that everyone wants to own their own Fatburger. But now that Kanye West is in on the franchise, it will be a much different situation. When the kids see that Kanye got himself a Fatburger, the restaurant might become the new pony for kids under the age of eight, a gift desired for the sole reason of wanting to make their parents feel inadequate. I just want more Fatburgers. Yum. Price: Everyone will hate you and take shots at you at any opportunity, despite the quality of your work. Buy: Fatburger]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/11/50-types-of-coal-cos-presents-our-holiday-gift-guide/feed/ 9 Superchunk singer creates best soundtrack ever http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/04/superchunk-singer-creates-best-soundtrack-ever/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/04/superchunk-singer-creates-best-soundtrack-ever/#comments http://c438342.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com//wp-content/uploads/2010/04/passside_5x7.jpg Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:59:42 +0000 Philip Cosores http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=33342 It’s good to have friends. For filmmaker Matt Bissonnette, having a friend in the music industry has helped out repeatedly the music of his films. And luckily for Matt, that friend is also the co-founder of Merge Records and frontman for Superchunk Mac McCaughan. The relationship has resulted in two film scores, but with his new movie, they tried something different.

For Passenger Side, McCaughan’s task was to curate the film using the director’s suggestions as a starting point and seeing what he could come up with (via The Playlist). The result is one amazing soundtrack, including classic cuts from Superchunk, Wilco, Silver Jews, Dinosaur Jr., Leonard Cohen, and Islands. No release date has been scheduled for the film, but it is playing various film festivals while  in search of distribution.

In other Superchunk news, the band is wrapping up their first proper album since 2001. In an interview with Spinner, McCaughan revealed that fans should expect more like the 2009 Leaves In The Gutter EP, adding in a separate sit down with the Winnipeg Free Press that “it’s more guitar-oriented than 2001′s Here’s to Shutting Up. And maybe a little louder in general.”

The band has a couple festival dates lined up, but no one should expect a full tour, with McCaughan stating, “I don’t think we’ll ever do another three-month tour or anything like that, but we certainly still enjoy playing live.” Hey, we’ll take what we can get.

Enjoy the tracklist below. More details on that Superchunk LP as they become available.

Passenger Side Official Soundtrack Tracklist:
01. Punks In The Beerlight – Silver Jews
02. Hit The Ground Running – Smog
03. Cannibal Café – SNFU
04. Mini T.V.’s – Chad VanGaalen
05. Ordinary Night – The Mekons
06. Kid Dynamite – Squirrel Bait
07. The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory – Guided By Voices
08. Good Guys & Bad Guys – Camper Van Beethoven
09. Call Of The Wild – The Nils
10. Final Day – Young Marble Giants
11. Jak – Volcano Suns
12. Driveway To Driveway – Superchunk
13. Freak Scene – Dinosaur Jr.
14. Fucked Up Ronnie – D.O.A.
15. Isabel – Unrest
16. Wild Sage – The Mountain Goats
17. We Saw Jerry’s Daughter – Camper Van Beethoven
18. Rough Gem – Islands
19. Be What You Want – Asexuals
20. Suzanne – Leonard Cohen
21. You Don’t Have To Make Me Feel Better – Mac McCaughan
22. Last Night On Earth – The Mekons
23. Graveyard – Chad VanGaalen
24. Hard Drive – Evan Dando
25. Passenger Side – Wilco

]]> Passenger Side, McCaughan's task was to curate the film using the director's suggestions as a starting point and seeing what he could come up with (via The Playlist). The result is one amazing soundtrack, including classic cuts from Superchunk, Wilco, Silver Jews, Dinosaur Jr., Leonard Cohen, and Islands. No release date has been scheduled for the film, but it is playing various film festivals while  in search of distribution. In other Superchunk news, the band is wrapping up their first proper album since 2001. In an interview with Spinner, McCaughan revealed that fans should expect more like the 2009 Leaves In The Gutter EP, adding in a separate sit down with the Winnipeg Free Press that "it's more guitar-oriented than 2001's Here's to Shutting Up. And maybe a little louder in general." The band has a couple festival dates lined up, but no one should expect a full tour, with McCaughan stating, "I don't think we'll ever do another three-month tour or anything like that, but we certainly still enjoy playing live." Hey, we'll take what we can get. Enjoy the tracklist below. More details on that Superchunk LP as they become available. Passenger Side Official Soundtrack Tracklist: 01. Punks In The Beerlight - Silver Jews 02. Hit The Ground Running - Smog 03. Cannibal Café - SNFU 04. Mini T.V.'s - Chad VanGaalen 05. Ordinary Night - The Mekons 06. Kid Dynamite - Squirrel Bait 07. The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory - Guided By Voices 08. Good Guys & Bad Guys - Camper Van Beethoven 09. Call Of The Wild - The Nils 10. Final Day - Young Marble Giants 11. Jak - Volcano Suns 12. Driveway To Driveway - Superchunk 13. Freak Scene - Dinosaur Jr. 14. Fucked Up Ronnie - D.O.A. 15. Isabel - Unrest 16. Wild Sage - The Mountain Goats 17. We Saw Jerry's Daughter - Camper Van Beethoven 18. Rough Gem - Islands 19. Be What You Want - Asexuals 20. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen 21. You Don't Have To Make Me Feel Better - Mac McCaughan 22. Last Night On Earth - The Mekons 23. Graveyard - Chad VanGaalen 24. Hard Drive - Evan Dando 25. Passenger Side - Wilco]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/04/superchunk-singer-creates-best-soundtrack-ever/feed/ 1 Merge looks to conquer the genre of influential indie bands from the 1990′s looking to come back in 2009 http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/06/merge-looks-to-conquer-the-genre-of-influential-indie-bands-form-the-1990s-looking-to-comeback-in-2009/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/06/merge-looks-to-conquer-the-genre-of-influential-indie-bands-form-the-1990s-looking-to-comeback-in-2009/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:25:18 +0000 Alex Young http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=15743 You got to hand it to the folks over at Merge Records. When they decide to do something, such as having their own music festival, they don’t half-ass it. So, we really shouldn’t be surprised to learn that when it relates to Merge’s latest task – reviving indie old timers, they look to be going all out.

On September 8th, Merge will release two brand new studio albums from two of the genre’s more influential, and older acts. First will be Polvo, which returned from a decade long hiatus last year. After hitting the studio earlier this year, the quartet is now ready to reveal its first new effort in 12 years, and leave it to Merge to win the band’s heart (the label recently signed Polvo) and the right to release the eight-track In Prism. Polvo will support the release with a few tour dates this summer, including dates with Obits and an appearance at the aforementioned XX Merge.

Then, there’s The Clean. The band isn’t a new get for Merge – it’s been with the label for nearly a decade, but brothers Hamish and David Kilgour and the rest of the New Zeland outfit haven’t release a brand new album in some time, eight years to be exact. This will changed on September 8th as well, when The Clean shell out a 10-track work called Mister Pop. No tour dates to support the release just yet, but the band has shared the album’s first track, which you can catch below with all the other necessary info.

See, kids, a little patience goes a long ways.

Check Out: <— From The Clean’s Mister Pop
“In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul”

In Prism Tracklist: <— Polvo’s new album
01. Right the Relation
02. D.C. Trails
03. Beggar’s Bowl
04. City Birds
05. Lucia
06. Dream residue/Work
07. The Pedlar
08. A Thousand Waves

Mister Pop Tracklist: <— The Clean’s new album
01. Loog
02. Are You Really on Drugs?
03. In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul
04. Asleep in the Tunnel
05. Back in the Day
06. Moonjumper
07. Factory Man
08. Simple Fix
09. Tensile
10. All Those Notes

Polvo 2009 Tour Dates:
06/26 – Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
06/27 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox Laundro Lounge
07/22-26 – Carrboro, NC @ XX Merge
07/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *
07/31 – New York, NY @ Seaport Music Festival
08/01 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

* = w/ Obits

]]> In Prism. Polvo will support the release with a few tour dates this summer, including dates with Obits and an appearance at the aforementioned XX Merge. Then, there's The Clean. The band isn't a new get for Merge - it's been with the label for nearly a decade, but brothers Hamish and David Kilgour and the rest of the New Zeland outfit haven't release a brand new album in some time, eight years to be exact. This will changed on September 8th as well, when The Clean shell out a 10-track work called Mister Pop. No tour dates to support the release just yet, but the band has shared the album's first track, which you can catch below with all the other necessary info. See, kids, a little patience goes a long ways. Check Out: <--- From The Clean's Mister Pop "In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul" In Prism Tracklist: <--- Polvo's new album 01. Right the Relation 02. D.C. Trails 03. Beggar’s Bowl 04. City Birds 05. Lucia 06. Dream residue/Work 07. The Pedlar 08. A Thousand Waves Mister Pop Tracklist: <--- The Clean's new album 01. Loog 02. Are You Really on Drugs? 03. In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul 04. Asleep in the Tunnel 05. Back in the Day 06. Moonjumper 07. Factory Man 08. Simple Fix 09. Tensile 10. All Those Notes Polvo 2009 Tour Dates: 06/26 - Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre 06/27 - Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox Laundro Lounge 07/22-26 - Carrboro, NC @ XX Merge 07/30 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's * 07/31 - New York, NY @ Seaport Music Festival 08/01 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar * = w/ Obits]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/06/merge-looks-to-conquer-the-genre-of-influential-indie-bands-form-the-1990s-looking-to-comeback-in-2009/feed/ 3 Stream: SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/stream-score-20-years-of-merge-records-the-covers/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/stream-score-20-years-of-merge-records-the-covers/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:10:52 +0000 Charles Poladian http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=13868 In case you haven’t heard by now, Merge Records is turning 20! Primarily forming as a place for Superchunk to release music, the North Carolina based taste makers have done good for themselves over the last two decades, shelling out works from a few folks you may have heard of: Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Magnetic Fields, Spoon, Dinosaur Jr., Camera Obscura, and Conor Oberst are some that come to mind.

Anyhow, to celebrate the occasion, Merge Records is basically going all out. We already told you about XX Merge, but do you know about SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers? On Tuesday, Merge shelled out a 20-track compilation of non-Merge bands (Death Cab, Okkervil, Ryan Adams) covering classics from Merge favorites (Superchunk’s “My Noise”, Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #1″). Yeah, needless to say, the whole thing is kind of a big deal.

But just in case you aren’t quite convinced – better hurry! Only 7,500 copies were produced, or have bitten off all your finger nails as you await your copy of the comp, Merge Records is currently streaming SCORE! in its entirety merge.com.

CORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers Tracklist:
01. Quasi – “Beautiful Things” (3Ds cover)
02. Les Savy Fav – “Precision Auto” (Superchunk cover)
03. The Shins – “Plenty Is Never Enough” (Tenement Halls cover)
04. St. Vincent & The National – “Sleep All Summer” (Crooked Fingers cover)
05. Broken Social Scene – “Complications” (The Clean cover)
06. Ryan Adams – “Like a Fool” (Superchunk cover)
07. Bright Eyes – “Papa Was a Rodeo” (The Magnetic Fields cover)
08. Lavender Diamond – “New Ways of Living” (Destroyer cover)
09. The Apples In Stereo – “King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3″ (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
10. Laura Cantrell – “Cowboy on the Moon” (Lambchop cover)
11. Bill Callahan – “Santa Maria” (Versus cover)
12. Barbara Manning – “Through With People” (Portastatic cover)
13. The Mountain Goats – “Drug Life” (East River Pipe cover)
14. The New Pornographers – “Don’t Destroy This Night” (The Rock*A*Teens cover)
15. Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman – “Yeah! Oh, Yeah!” (The Magnetic Fields cover)
16. The Hive Dwellers – “My Noise” (Superchunk cover)
17. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – “The Numbered Head” (Robert Pollard cover)
18. Okkervil River – “All You Little Suckers” (East River Pipe cover)
19. Death Cab For Cutie – “Kicked In” (Superchunk cover)
20. Times New Viking – “Neighborhood #1″ (Arcade Fire cover)

]]> SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers? On Tuesday, Merge shelled out a 20-track compilation of non-Merge bands (Death Cab, Okkervil, Ryan Adams) covering classics from Merge favorites (Superchunk's "My Noise", Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #1"). Yeah, needless to say, the whole thing is kind of a big deal. But just in case you aren't quite convinced - better hurry! Only 7,500 copies were produced, or have bitten off all your finger nails as you await your copy of the comp, Merge Records is currently streaming SCORE! in its entirety merge.com. CORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers Tracklist: 01. Quasi - "Beautiful Things" (3Ds cover) 02. Les Savy Fav - "Precision Auto" (Superchunk cover) 03. The Shins - "Plenty Is Never Enough" (Tenement Halls cover) 04. St. Vincent & The National - "Sleep All Summer" (Crooked Fingers cover) 05. Broken Social Scene - "Complications" (The Clean cover) 06. Ryan Adams - "Like a Fool" (Superchunk cover) 07. Bright Eyes - "Papa Was a Rodeo" (The Magnetic Fields cover) 08. Lavender Diamond - "New Ways of Living" (Destroyer cover) 09. The Apples In Stereo - "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3" (Neutral Milk Hotel cover) 10. Laura Cantrell - "Cowboy on the Moon" (Lambchop cover) 11. Bill Callahan - "Santa Maria" (Versus cover) 12. Barbara Manning - "Through With People" (Portastatic cover) 13. The Mountain Goats - "Drug Life" (East River Pipe cover) 14. The New Pornographers - "Don't Destroy This Night" (The Rock*A*Teens cover) 15. Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman - "Yeah! Oh, Yeah!" (The Magnetic Fields cover) 16. The Hive Dwellers - "My Noise" (Superchunk cover) 17. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - "The Numbered Head" (Robert Pollard cover) 18. Okkervil River - "All You Little Suckers" (East River Pipe cover) 19. Death Cab For Cutie - "Kicked In" (Superchunk cover) 20. Times New Viking - "Neighborhood #1" (Arcade Fire cover)]]> http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/stream-score-20-years-of-merge-records-the-covers/feed/ 1 Merge Records celebrates its 20th; unveils lineup http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/merge-records-celebrates-its-20th-unveils-line-up/ http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/merge-records-celebrates-its-20th-unveils-line-up/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:30:13 +0000 Michael Roffman http://consequenceofsound.net/?p=13692 We all love Merge Records, right? Of course. After all, they’re responsible for putting out some of the best indie rock in the past twenty years (e.g. Neutral Milk Hotel, hello?), not to mention more recent acts Arcade Fire, Caribou, and M. Ward. To celebrate these feats, the label is throwing their own festival shin dig, complete with a cake, some pizza, and a slew of extraordinary acts. Okay, we’re lying about the cake and pizza (most likely), but there’s still plenty of indie rock to go around.

It’s called XX Merge, and undoubtedly will be this summer’s hippest event. Taking place over the July 22-26 weekend, the festival will overrun both the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina and UNC’s Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill. This morning, they unveiled its initial line up. Students and indie rockers alike, rejoice!

The Broken West, Conor Oberst, Destroyer, Guv’ner, M. Ward, Pipe, Polvo, The Rosebuds, Spent, Spoon, Superchunk

Given it’s a five day event, one should expect more and more acts to flesh out the line up and eventually flood the Southern state. The label’s official site hints at upcoming additions both “expected and unexpected.” What does that mean? Well, it only takes a quick look at their back catalog to see that while the possibilities aren’t exactly endless, they’re sure as hell exciting. Naturally, everyone and their mother will bark for a Neutral Milk Hotel reunion ’til the cows come home, but don’t hold your breath (or maybe you should?). Still, there’s a slight chance the Buzzcocks could be there, as could The Magnetic Fields. However, it might be wee bit awkward for Dinosaur Jr. to make an appearance, given their recent contract with Jagjaguwar.

Regardless of who’s added, this will be one hell of an event, so be sure to grab your $150 tickets April 8th.

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