Half the fun (OK, maybe a third) of buying an expensive Apple product is opening up the box and taking things out. They've raised packaging to an art.

Half the fun (OK, maybe a third) of buying an expensive Apple product is opening up the box and taking things out. They've raised packaging to an art.

This is absolutely true. I was totally brainwashed in the time it took me to take out the iMac.

Could I get some recommendations for music for the party taking place at my house on the 26th? About 30 people, all computer geeks, age range mid 20's to mid 50's, mostly western European in origin.

Jazz (Miles), or Serge Gainsbourg (Melodie Nelson) or Bjork (Post).

Thank you, Hecubot (making notes). Do you have a moment to jump on AIM?

Hec, just wanted to let you know I picked up a copy of the bubblegum book on my way home today from work. Been leisurely perusing it while I stopped for beers and lunch (mostly in that order) on the way home, and it's enormous fun. Most of the stuff that interests me vis-a-vis bubblegum is on the fringes, but it's always nice to have good reference/opinion works.

I was especially amused by your defining "Walking on Sunshine" as the ultimate non-goth song, but question the premise that goth=anti-bubblegum. But, that's for a more detailed conversation (in the process of catching up again). SO looking forward to the new book. That one is right up my particular musical alley.

Also, at my last stop - Salem Beer Works - I had an outrageous lattice-of-coincidence moment, as familiar strains gave way to... "Little Willy" by The Sweet. Color me oblivous to the obvious double- (ne, single) entendre built into the song until now.

This was followed by Smashmouth's "Walking on the Sun", followed by "(Keep feelin') Fascination" by the Human League. Sadly, the eclectic parade of fun songs was broken by the unsightly invasion of Don Henley. And not even "Dirty Laundry". I suspect they have their music service set to "cognitive dissonance" or something.

I had an outrageous lattice-of-coincidence moment

"So I was thinking about shrimp when, all of a sudden, the guy next to me says to the bartender, 'Is the kitchen open? I'd like a plate of shrimp.' And then the bartender yells at the guy, 'I don't want no Commies in my bar -- and no Christians!' Then one of the cooks comes out of the kitchen & asks for some ice because 'Dukie wookie burned his wittle hand.'" Okay, I'll stop now.

And speaking of The Sweet, I love the commercial with "Ballroom Blitz" where they throw stuff out of the back of a semi at oncoming cars.

Hec, just wanted to let you know I picked up a copy of the bubblegum book on my way home today from work. Been leisurely perusing it while I stopped for beers and lunch (mostly in that order) on the way home, and it's enormous fun.

Cool! Sales are fun too. I'm glad you liked it, though. A lot of people have noted the high fun of the book even when bubblegum is less than a core interest.

Most of the stuff that interests me vis-a-vis bubblegum is on the fringes, but it's always nice to have good reference/opinion works.

Thanks.

I was especially amused by your defining "Walking on Sunshine" as the ultimate non-goth song, but question the premise that goth=anti-bubblegum. But, that's for a more detailed conversation (in the process of catching up again).

Heh. I showed my friend Betty (a corporate ex-goth) the book in progress and it piqued her interest. Then she came back after listening to the Archies and practically accused me of taking a dentist's drill to her head. I don't think Goth and Bubblegum are mutually exclusive, and neither does Stephin Merrit (The Gothic Archies). Hell Depeche Mode pretty much qualifies. But then I've heard almost every conceivable combination of musics pulled off - except reggae and rockabilly. Those seem to be matter and antimatter.

SO looking forward to the new book. That one is right up my particular musical alley.

It's going to be interesting to see how this book sells, because the Bubblegum book had such a basic marketing hook, and pulled a lot of nostalgia buyers. Then it slowly seeped out to a broader base of music fans and musicians.

Amyp - I went off and took a nap. I'll see if I can find you.

And speaking of The Sweet, I love the commercial with "Ballroom Blitz" where they throw stuff out of the back of a semi at oncoming cars.

I love my collection of Glam Rock videos with The Sweet being particularly silly on the Old Gray Whistle Test.

But then I've heard almost every conceivable combination of musics pulled off - except reggae and rockabilly. Those seem to be matter and antimatter.

I suspect you won't find this convincing... but in "Wrong 'Em Boyo" the Clash lifted the false beginning of Elvis's "Milkcow Blues Boogie" (via "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream": "Start all over again!") as the intro for their reggae version of the New Orleans classic "Staggerlee". New Orleans, the R&B of which was a big influence on reggae, is probably your most likely suspect if you don't like the Clash argument. Big musical gumbo.

But then I've heard almost every conceivable combination of musics pulled off - except reggae and rockabilly

Hmmm - reggabilly or rockgae? Yeah, even Dread Zeppelin favored the one over the other.

I love the commercial with "Ballroom Blitz" where they throw stuff out of the back of a semi at oncoming cars.

It's a *fantastic* commercial, and Ilove that song.

And I am currently ripping Hayden's CDs, so they should be int he mail to Gandalfe on Monday or Tuesday.

I have a reggae/bluegrass-and-other-old-timey-music album with the wonderful title A New Broom Sweeps Clean, But An Old Broom Knows Every Corner.