I've seen any number of 'Best Of 2008' lists over the past week or so and all have left me scratching my eyes in disbelief. If you're like me and you're worried sick about the state of things--and indie rock in particular--give it some vitriol!
I, you, we spend an inordinate amount of time alone. Think about it. From waking to showering to brushing our teeth, we're alone with our thoughts. From the commute to and from work, or school, or in line at the post office or at the grocery, by and large we're alone with ourselves and the quiet rumblings of our brains ticking along.
What to do with all of those email alerts we get that we simply can't do justice throughout the week? Why, it's condense them right here in our new weekly bulletin board, 'plugs.'
Not only is it the Holiday Season, but it's List Season. Everyone's compiling and posting 'em--the Ten Best This, the Ten Best That. But here at TVD we're thinking that you guys, the folks who stop by each day, are far better judges of what went down this year and what was truly memorable in 2008 rather than the folks whose business it is to sell you on how hip their respective lists are.
Even though Record Store Day 2009 is close to four months away, we're more than pleased to take note of some of the early attendees to the dance. And last night came word of a pretty cool spin on what we here call the 12" x 12" canvas: Matador thinks that one savvy graphic designer has what it takes to redesign the cover to Belle and Sebastian's new 'BBC Sessions'--and they're sponsoring the contest to make that happen in celebration of Record Store Day, 2009.
What to do with all of those email alerts we get that we simply can't do justice throughout the week? Why, it's condense them right here in our new weekly bulletin board, 'plugs.' 
Oh, it's a slow moving day over here at TVD HQ, but we're finally up and around. (Barely.) Now, what's the one thing that could get us back on our feet and out the door to do it all over again? Hm. I wonder...?
Pretty cool cover to the '69 Beatles Fanclub Record, huh? Designed by none other than Ringo himself. Who knew?
Many years ago as a young kid I was prone to fevers. I guess we all were but I seemed to get them more often than not. I recall after one particular episode lying in bed just sweltering while the (black and white!) TV thumped away. Too weak to get up to change the channel (because you had to then, right?) I let 'Hee Haw' and its southern sass rattle my fevered brain.
Y'know, this could be the best time you'll ever have in your life. Would you be able to recognize it as such? 
Police Investigate Shooting in Northwest D.C.
These files have been sitting on my computer for over a year now. Around the Fourth of July this past year I gave a listen to the lads funning it up for the holiday to come--and talk about out of sync. I was sweltering in shorts and the boys were conjuring all the Mersey Merriment that is/was Christmas. So, it's a delight to hear 'em in context which we will all this week (along with some miscellaneous outtakes...) to kick your holiday fully into gear. 
...in fond memory of the notorious Bettie Page.
So, that's a wake n' bake, right?
Mick and I were having a bit of a back and forth in the comments a little while ago in reference to Phil Spector's production work on The Beatles' 'Let It Be'. Mick's of the opinion that Spector schmalted up the recording and he's hardly alone. McCartney's been unequivocal in his dismay regarding Phil's 'contributions' to the LP and the 'Let It Be - Naked' collection, stripped of Spector's flourishes, was released to set the record straight as it were. 
In the December issue of Mix, mastering engineer Bob Ludwig chats with editor Sarah Jones about changing technologies, the loudness wars, and more than four decades of musical inspiration. 
This week TVD sits down with Brooklyn-based experimental noise rocker Carrigan (aka Zack Martin) to get the story behind the tracks he's selected for his turn here at TVD. And wouldn't you know, he's got vinyl on his mind as well. 
So, earlier in the week I was bemoaning what really is a very common occurrence, the sheer lack of time--free time, that is--to ...I dunno ...read for pleasure ...organize my records ...watch that DVD that's been on my shelf for ages (a great JAM video compilation, or so I'm told.) 
So, what are we bloggers supposed to do each year on this anniversary of Lennon's death? One doesn't want to appear repetitious, but what do you do if you still feel the exact same way as you did last year?
