Not that I want to dump a bunch of cash on an expensive boxed set.

There's a nice compilation called Way To Blue, but you should probably just cut to the chase and pick up Bryter Layter and Five Leaves Left. After listening to the compilation a few times, you're going to break down and buy them, anyway. All the other stuff is ok, but not, strictly speaking, necessary.

I saw the Thermals last Friday and it rocked.

Their cover of 'The Ballad of Big Nothing' has, for me, supplanted the original. Is that representative?

Not really. On that cover, the vocals are done by Kathy, their super hot, super cool bassist (briefly of the All Girls Summer Fun Band). Their usual vocalist is super hot, super cool Hutch Harris - and they are usually a lot faster and punk/poppier than on that Elliott Smith cover. I think their 06 album The Body, The Blood, The Machine was one of the top three of the year (though I remember that Jon thinks the vocals were recorded weird) - and I could watch the video for Pillar of Salt every day and never get sick of it.

I just bought tickets to see them (for the second time) in July.

Currently, I am loving the new LCD Soundsystem and that Amy Winehouse 60s soul/bad girl album is growing on me - I loved the music right off the bat, but the lyrics are taking a while.

Oh - and anyone who hasn't seen The Filth and the Fury so should (story of the Sex Pistols as told by band members and filmed by Julian Temple) - I saw it for the first time this weekend and John Lydon broke my heart. It was awesome.

What else? My cat died last week. That sucked but she had a good life and was pretty sick - so it went as these things usually do. Oh and Hec - you are a big SF Giants fan, right? As is my new (awesome) BF. For his b-day, I bought us tickets to two Giants games this summer at Wrigley. FUN.

That's my news.

and that Amy Winehouse 60s soul/bad girl album is growing on me -

I heard a piece about her on NPR and had to immediately run home and download the tune Rehab.

Phun Phact: Julian Temple & Nick Saloman (of the Bevis Frond) were schoolmates growing up. In fact, Julian came up with the name "Bevis Frond."

Sean, if you like that it's a whole album filled with badass girl-group soul, modernized with topical lyrics. When I listen to it, I imagine the Diana Ross in a sparkly gown with a half-burnt cigarette dangling from her lips, a .45 in one hand an a whiskey in the other, ready to shoot you when you come through the door; but she'll do it so sweetly you wouldn't even mind.

I still need to grab the new LCD. Their Nike Original Run comp is great.

Oh and Hec - you are a big SF Giants fan, right? As is my new (awesome) BF. For his b-day, I bought us tickets to two Giants games this summer at Wrigley. FUN.

Very fun! Except the Giants are sucking big donkey dick at the moment.

Non-Musical Shopping Tip: Emmett and I picked up Matt Groening's Life in Hell collection Will and Abe's Guide To the Universe on our way to Blades of Glory (it was funny - plus Will Arnett) and Will and Abe consistently bring the entertainment.

And yes, Tina is still King of Monster Island.

More Nick Drake.

ETA: Nice bit where they talk to Joe Boyd about the use of "Pink Moon" in the VW ad.

About 10 years ago, I was approached by VW's ad agency (Arnold, in case Tina is wondering) to make a mix tape for them. They were about to introduce the new Bug and were looking for musical ideas. Turned out the copy writer was a fan of my radio show! They liked what I put together, but didn't end up using any of the songs I'd suggested (I didn't mind -- I got paid very well for my effort).

A few years later, the Pink Moon ad came out. I thought it was a great ad, but otherwise didn't think too much about it... until I noticed that I'd put Pink Moon on that mix tape I'd made for them! I asked the copy writer about it. He insisted that he already knew the song, but I like to think that I had a small part in making it happen.

Joe Boyd is a great guy. He's one of the few primary sources for my book, and his memoir White Bicycles is a fun read.