It’s been almost seven years since Dimebag Darrel was murdered on stage in a small Ohio night club. And earlier this summer, another famous name in metal, Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in his hotel room in Des Moines, IA. Many fans mourned the loss of these two powerful musicians, but their deaths also cut deep to the hearts of their bandmates, as seen in new mini-documentary (via Metal Underground).

Lydverket TV compiled a several interviews with former Pantera and Slipknot bandmates Vinnie Paul and Corey Taylor in a nice seven-minute video about death and metal. An insightful and genuine tribute to both Darrel and Gray can be watched in the video above.

Available today, the Ultimate Collection definitely lives up to the billing. It features a 60-page booklet with rare photos, expanded liner notes, and replicas from the Cowboys era: a New Year’s Puke Party T-shirt designed by the late-”Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, multiple flyer reproductions from the era, a “Fucking Hostile” button, all-access tour pass ’90 fabric sticker, “Cowboys From Hell Texas Guest” laminated pass , a “U.S. Tour ’91″ all-access laminated pass, and a ticket reproduction from June 14, 1991.

And no collection is complete without a pressing of Cowboys From Hell: The Demos. Limited to 3,000 180-gram pressings, the vinyl includes the custom cover and demos of the original tracks, as well as the previously unreleased demo cut, “The Will To Survive”. The vinyl is available exclusively at Metal Club stores nationwide. And you thought the mob waiting for those Tickle Me Elmos was dangerous. Check out each release’s tracklist below.

Cowboys From Hell: Ultimate Collection Tracklist:
Disc 1
01. Cowboys From Hell
02. Primal Concrete Sledge
03. Psycho Holiday
04. Heresy
05. Cemetery Gates
06. Domination
07. Shattered
08. Clash With Reality
09. Medicine Man
10. Message In Blood
11. The Sleep
12. The Art Of Shredding

Disc 2
01. Domination (live) *
02. Psycho Holiday (live) *
03. The Art Of Shredding (live) *
04. Cowboys From Hell (live) *
05. Cemetery Gates (live) *
06. Primal Concrete Sledge (live) *
07. Heresy (live) *
08. Domination (live, “Alive And Hostile” EP) †
09. Primal Concrete Sledge (live, “Alive And Hostile” EP) †
10. Cowboys From Hell (live, “Alive And Hostile” EP) †
11. Heresy (live, “Alive And Hostile” EP) †
12. Psycho Holiday (live, “Alive And Hostile” EP) †

Disc 3
01. The Will To Survive *
02. Shattered (demo) *
03. Cowboys From Hell (demo) *
04. Heresy (demo) *
05. Cemetery Gates (demo) *
06. Psycho Holiday (demo) *
07. Medicine Man (demo) *
08. Message In Blood (demo) *
09. Domination (demo) *
10. The Sleep (demo) *
11. The Art Of Shredding (demo) *

Cowboys From Hell: The Demos Tracklist:
01. The Will To Survive *
02. Shattered (demo) *
03. Cowboys From Hell (demo) *
04. Heresy (demo) *
05. Cemetery Gates (demo) *
06. Psycho Holiday (demo) *
07. Medicine Man (demo) *
08. Message In Blood (demo) *
09. Domination (demo) *
10. The Sleep (demo) *
11. The Art Of Shredding (demo) *

* =  Previously unreleased
† =  Unreleased in the U.S.

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

• 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

“Will To Survive” is an early demo from Cowboys From Hell and will appear on the forthcoming 20th Anniversary Ultimate and Delux editions, which arrive on September 14th. The track was recorded in 1989 which bears mentioning because this is definitely Pant-”hair”-a days (see picture at right). Phil Anselmo sounds like early Dio or… White Snake, but Dimebag Darrell’s guitar riffs have his 23-year old name written all over it.  Hell, you can even hear the bridge for “This Love” in there.  R.I.P., man.

Check out the track over at Antiquiet.

For a moment in time, picture yourself in the throes of 1994. Alternative and industrial music were in the mainstream while youths everywhere nursed their emotional wounds left by Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Up and coming hip-hoppers found escape in Nas as he brought forth the classic Illmatic to kick gangsta rap in the head. Meanwhile, California surfer punks boosted The Offspring’s Smash (or even Green Day’s Dookie) to record setting sales. Even aging rockers had their share in the madness, perhaps indulging in Pink Floyd’s final tour. That same year, however, another icon was lost too soon, thereby glossing over an already grim, classic film with even more tragedy — and one hell of a killer soundtrack.

The Crow is one of those universal tales of duality — of revenge and love, rules and rebellion, Gods and men. While the film did lend itself to a generation of teenagers with goth subculture and budding emo tendencies abound, The Crow always had a viable story to tell. In fact, the story’s illustrator and writer James O’ Barr originally conceived the project as, “a means of dealing with the death of his girlfriend at the hands of a drunk driver.” When Eric Draven, the tragic main character who’s brought back to life, avenges the death of his girlfriend Shelly, O’Barr could only relate with pen, paper and tattered memories. What’s more, this tragic backstory only continues.

Towards the end of the film’s shoot, actor Brandon Lee suffered a fatal wound from one of the prop guns. What should have been a blank was actually a loaded gun and the actor died right on set — in fact, in the very scene that Draven is shot and killed. Most attribute the comic’s inspired and amassing Goth culture to this on-set death. Regardless of the parallels between Lee and Draven, the acclaimed anti-hero had already become the icon of Goths everywhere, long before the film came to fruition. In a sense, O’Barr’s comic portrayal seems like a beacon for everything and anything that is Goth culture, and much of that has to do with music.

The comic’s dark and macabre storyline is littered with countless references to post-punk groups popular throughout the eighties. Some of The Cure’s lyrics are even featured within the novel itself, which explains the spill over into the film’s soundtrack five years later. A self professed fan of O’Barr’s work, Robert Smith penned the anthemic “Burn” specifically for the film and its corresponding soundtrack. While the novel had its own musical accompaniment entitled Trust Obey: Fear and Bullets, it’s the film soundtrack that later played host to the alt-rock themes of the early ’90s and then some.

Immediately following the film, the corresponding soundtrack hit shelves with much applause and praise, even topping the Billboard 200. Despite its eclectic mix of artists, the soundtrack was a cohesive and concise representation of both the film and its core themes. The Cure’s “Burn”, which opens the album, carries with it an assortment of emotions. There’s a sense of despair and loneliness, yet also a subdued bitterness that’s awash in rage and lust. It’s melancholy, but driving. It’s moody, but poppy. This schizophrenic-juggernaut style sets the bar for the remaining thirteen tracks, and while most songs hardly hit the watermark that Smith sets, they come pretty damn close. It’s an epic ride, really.

But mostly, it’s a surprising one. Bands that would otherwise have no place on this type of soundtrack really blend, the most obvious example being The Violent Femmes. While the lyrics this Wisconsin act have come up with in the past could be thought of as foreboding or even taboo (“Country Death Song”, “Black Girls”), “Color Me Once” is perfectly suited on this album as the imperfect balance of balladeer blues and clumsy alternative a la Weezer’s “Undone” or “El Scorcho”.  Somehow while the Femmes may not have worked on this album, they fit here with a sound that comes off like watching a car crash in slow motion, and it is quite possibly the band at its finest (not counting the extremely addictive, “Freak Magnet”).

Industrial enthusiasts find the most solace here. Between the Machines of Loving Grace’s “Golgotha Tenament Blues” and Nine Inch Nail’s brilliant cover of Joy Division’s classic “Dead Souls”, there’s enough here for seconds. The latter is a prime track, though. For anyone who is a fan of Trent Reznor’s early catalog, it’s blatant how much influence both English rock band Joy Division and its post-Curtis formation New Order had on Reznor. During the mid-90s, industrial was becoming more and more mainstream, thanks in part to Lollapalooza and also in light of Reznor’s signature stage presence, too. Due to this fact, his addition is a blessing in disguise. The industrial guru essentially amps up the English tune, nearly making it his own. On film, its gloomy beats serves its purpose, but on the soundtrack, it’s just one rocking vibe to ride for a good five minutes.

Of course, we couldn’t chalk this soundtrack up without mentioning its biggest hit, the Stone Temple Pilots’ alternative rock staple, “Big Empty”. Everyone who has ever turned on a radio past eight ‘o clock will surely recognize the morbid blues of this tune, a feature rather welcome here amongst the overall gloom and doom. Originally debuted acoustically on MTV Unplugged, the studio cut of “Big Empty” made its way to The Crow before copping a place on the Pilots’ successful sophomoric effort, Purple. This would explain the soundtrack’s Billboard appearances.

The subdued rage gets literal, however, with the inclusion of the slightly more upbeat but no less tempered track from Rage Against The Machine, appropriately titled “Darkness”. While admittedly not a band to fit the Goth-type culture, the tune does go hand in hand with the film’s Devil’s Night introduction. “Darkness” is a dose of anarchy that makes its presence known, and it’s properly placed considering only half the song is chaotic while the other half sports guitarist Tom Morello’s infamous threading, which he does here in a rather somber subconsciousness.

It is easy to tell how brilliantly cohesive the first half of this soundtrack is as it’s filled with morbid fluidity and silent worship that occasionally gets the shake up from powerful choruses and memorable riffs or beats. Some fans may be torn between which half is better, while others may listen from beginning to end without a problem. Given the strong and popular band roster, the first half is easy to love, even though the latter end brings forth astonishing inclusions by ’90s alternative staples like Rollins Band and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Some metal slips in too, with chaotic tracks like Pantera’s cover of Poison Idea’s “The Badge” and Helmet’s “Milquetoast”. Closing the album, jazz singer Jane Siberry brings life and sobriety to the charming song “It Can’t Rain All The Time” which, carved into the film’s storyline, is an original tune written and composed by Eric Draven himself. It’s a proper end and a fitting tribute to both Brandon Lee and all the elements that make up The Crow.

Collectively, The Crow Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is timeless in its efforts of preserving both the film’s vivid imagery and the memory of mid-to-late ’90s modern rock acts. Save for the Stone Temple Pilots, no band overshadows another here, and that’s what should define a great soundtrack. What’s more, the album’s diverse song selections parallel the main character’s almost split personality and the chaos thriving within him. That’s not only a successful trait, it’s a remarkable feat. That being said, The Crow Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is our most appropriate first pick for Cinema Sounds.

The Crow Tracklist:
1. “Burn” – The Cure
2. “Golgotha Tenement Blues” – Machines of Loving Grace
3. “Big Empty” – Stone Temple Pilots
4. “Dead Souls” – Nine Inch Nails (Joy Division cover)
5. “Darkness” – Rage Against the Machine
6. “Color Me Once” – Violent Femmes
7. “Ghostrider” – Rollins Band
8. “Milktoast” – Helmet
9. “The Badge” – Pantera (Poison Idea cover)
10. “Slip Slide Melting” – For Love Not Lisa
11. “After the Flesh” – My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult
12. “Snakedriver” – The Jesus and Mary Chain
13. “Time Baby III” – Medicine
14. “It Can’t Rain All the Time” – Jane Siberry

When Vulgar Display of Power was released on February 25, 1992, fans were not only blown away by its legendary album cover, but the increase in aggression that was discovered upon first listen. Many changes to Pantera’s musical approach changed on Vulgar, most notably with Phil Anselmo. On this album, Anselmo’s screaming became more melodic as opposed to Cowboys from Hell, where he focused more on vocal delivery. This ‘power groove’ thrash style would define Pantera until its eventual break up in 2003.

Believe it or not but Pantera began as a ‘glam-rock’ band in the eighties. ‘Dimebag’ Darrell was ‘Diamond’ Darrell back then and the boys showed a striking resemblance to Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, at least in terms of appearance. With the hiring of a new lead singer in 1987, cue Anselmo, the band traded in the spandex for ripped jeans. But instead of blasting Van Halen and Kiss during drinking sessions, the band begun ripping through Metallica’s Master of Puppets and Slayer’s Reign In Blood. In 1990, Pantera combined these influences to create its major label debut, Cowboys from Hell. Received world-wide as yet another fantastic thrash metal band, Pantera began their own highway to hell.

By the time Vulgar was released, Pantera had developed a cult-like following. A trail of beer cans and empty Jack Daniels bottles was strewn across the world. Their legendary partying became as big as its sound, and still to this day, the band’s t-shirt sales are among the top of all-time. Regardless of its popularity, Pantera always produced fantastic music. Even when heroin took hold of Anselmo and the band was hanging by a thread, they still managed to release The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) and Reinventing the Steel (2000).

Unfortunately for myself, I was born in 1983 and would have been too young to accompany my brother to those legendary, early 90′s Pantera shows. Nowadays, I crave any live material from one of the greatest live bands ever. It all sounded great: ridiculous solos emanating from Dimebag’s signature Dean Razorback guitars, the thunder from his brother Vinnie Paul’s double kick and Rex Brown sneaking in his striking bass solos. Not to forget Anselmo, who is still one of the most quotable and entertaining front men, having seen Down in 2001 at Ozzfest, I was unaware that someone could say “fuck” 600 times in-between 12 songs.

On the subject of Anselmo’s stage banter, some personal favourite quotes include: “I have a big dick” and “I wanna see you smash your fucking head until your fuckiing brain fuckining pops out.” High energy adrenaline and mosh pit fueled testosterone at its finest, Pantera caused more noses to bleed in the 90′s than the Philadelphia Flyers did in the 80′s. Anyone who has been to a Pantera show always brags about how loud and overpowering they were. Sadly, we will never be able to experience this power again (R.I.P Dimebag), yet the band’s legend lives on through those who witnessed their concerts and us sorry souls who can only imagine what might have been.

Turn on those creative minds, ladies and gentlemen…

“Cowboys from Hell” (Live @ Ozzfest)

“Primal Concrete Sledge feat. Zakk Wylde” (Live @ Ozzfest)