Okay, since memories are important, all three of today's things are from bands that got me involved with gramophone in the first place. And they're all in the style I used to write in: brief.
Alden Penner - "The Ghost of Creaky Crater"
You can fly over this song like a bored plane, but you'll be yanked in at 1:39. Don't be scared, your lunch will come out through your eyes. You'll be handed a tambourine, and we can tell if you're not singing, if you're just mouthing the words.
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The best "new" christmas song. It's not a sound-alike of a carol, it has no agenda, it's almost more about snow than about christmas; more about love than about happiness (these are mutually exclusive). It either has or hasn't importance that "Nöel" is also "know well".
note: I'm on a streak of 2 for tracks featuring umlauts. dare me.
[from the compilation Christmas Twee]
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And, there is a Wolf Parade video. I like it, it's pre-occupation with telling the story over any concern for slickness or polish is really endearing. via mtlshows
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The NPR story is up. on the radio that is. I love how Ounsworth had never heard of pitchfork. I wish I lived like that. big thanks to Jacob Ganz for the story, you did a great job, Jacob!
Posted by Dan at November 29, 2005 4:01 AMthanks stereogum for taking my color scheme for my up comming blog.. (seriously) but i love the site still my fav music blog
Posted by: jimmy at November 29, 2005 4:13 AMhahahahaaha i put stereogum!!!! hahahh man i feel like a douche....
as for the wolf paarde WTF? (meaning best video ever)
Posted by: jimmy at November 29, 2005 4:22 AM"noel" by the diskettes is on the album "cwistmas twee," which is available from total gaylord records. http://www.totalgaylordrecords.com/
Posted by: John at November 29, 2005 9:38 AMI did a lengthy review of that Alden 7" back in April; that's some beautiful stuff.
I had heard Wolf Parade was working on a different video (featuring barbarians?) for Fancy Claps. This one seems somehow appropriate, however.
Posted by: Andrew Rose at November 29, 2005 9:48 AMJohn - thanks, fixed.
Andrew - I'm always 6 months behind you. also, that sounds like a good video. what weird song choices, though.
Posted by: dan at November 29, 2005 12:43 PMOkay I think that video is fucking amazing.
Thanks for that Diskettes tune, dan. I love Christmas carols. And the Alden tune is exceedingly great. Did I tell you about our secret project yet?
Posted by: Sean at November 29, 2005 1:43 PMdiskettes and alden. two of my favorite stgrammy artists in one post. thank you.
Posted by: Elliott at November 29, 2005 3:51 PMCongratulations on the NPR segment. I just heard it. Nationwide props... good job!
Posted by: Scott at November 29, 2005 6:54 PMDudes, the colour scheme is brilliant-ish, the header/illustration is absolutely brilliant, but you have GOT to justify the text. Tell me it's just my browser. As one who was inspired (view-source my page, it's right there) by the tightly-controlled text on your previous site design, I'm a litle disappointed in the meandering effect of the words. Oh, well. Thank God the music is still excellent as ev.
Posted by: Je Suis at November 30, 2005 2:41 AMAnd let me second that new colour-scheme/design compliment. Looks great folks.
Posted by: Andrew Rose at November 30, 2005 9:42 AMBeautiful.
Posted by: Je Suis at November 30, 2005 11:45 PMcool stuff, im glad that i managed to pick up a signed copy of that 7 inch before they ran out..
Posted by: Jory Hasselmann at December 10, 2005 6:43 PM