Friday 25 April 2008

Campaigning With Grant by Peter Minack


I understand for one reason and another this book contains of veiled references to Melbourne's anonymous rock band TISM. It is highly recommended and sounds fascinating.

It seems to be quite rare, hence I can convince myself I am "trading up" by buying it.

I should get rid of two other books though as a result.

id Anthology


I bought this a long time ago because I'm a bit of a sucker for boxed sets.

I remember a friend picking up a the Shareware version of Doom on 3.5" floppy discs at a computer fair in Great Russell Street in the early 90s and it remains the only computer game I've ever finished. I did reasonably well on Quake - liked the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, but got sidetracked with all the upgraded versions for different hardware configurations.

Perhaps this compilation - which is apparently limited to 10,000 copies worldwide was overkill for me. I never wore the T-shirt or the dogtags, read the comic or removed the pewter cyberdemon from its box.

It goes on eBay this weekend.

Game over.

Thursday 24 April 2008

Veni Vidi Vicious by The Hives



This is a great album. "Main Offender", "Hate To Say I Told You So" and "Supply And Demand" all feature.

But I'm not listening to it and it's taking up space.

"Hate To Say I Told You So" indeed.

Sunday 20 April 2008

www.tism.wanker.com double CD


I am becoming obsessed with TISM - I have to own every limited release, despite already owning the regular version.

This is noteworthy - a free disc entitled "Att: Shock Records Faulty Pressing Do Not Manufacture". Many people and shops apparently fell for this and returned copies upon its release.

Perhaps not TISM's best effort, but it includes "Thunderbirds Are Coming Out" (great video), "Whatareya?" and the self-explanatory "I Might Be A C***, But I'm Not A F***ing C***".

Thursday 17 April 2008

Metal Gear Solid Limited Edition Premium Package


I bought this a long time ago. I played the game while taking care of the discs and never opened any of the additional items.

Sadly, it's a long time since I played Metal Gear Solid and the Premium Package is merely taking up space.

To ebay with you, Solid Snake.

Monday 14 April 2008

At Home - Not At Home by Wim Mertens


Another disc from the ex-plugger's freebie box and it's still sealed.

Which means I've never listened to it. Leaving me slightly curious.

No matter: no longer at home.

Barely Legal by The Hives


The Hives were fantastically exciting for around five minutes back in 2001 in the wake of The Strokes and The White Stripes. I saw them twice, bought their back catalogue and enjoyed listening to their songs on the radio.

Which is probably why I listened to their CDs so rarely.

All supply, no demand.

Boss Drum by The Shamen


A popular record from the summer of 1991 as The Shamen completed the crossover from the indie charts to the mainstream pop charts, with the help of "annoying" cult rapper Mr. C.

Very rarely listened to and must go.

Sorry, this is not a forever album.

Stranger In This Town by Mick Taylor


A freebie from my previous life as a record plugger.

Little surprise the obscure things I've been given free are commanding the highest values.

Mick is now off to another country.

Thursday 10 April 2008

Great Truckin' Songs Of The Renaissance by TISM


TISM's first album and one which I don't have in a lossless format. I downloaded it a long time ago, but it no longer seems to be available to buy new.

I like "40 Years - Then Death" most of all, the poetry interludes "Kill Americans" and "The Penis Is Mightier Than The Sword" are amusing and it's a good album overall.

I wish I'd heard it sooner though - I feel like I've been wasting my life.

Friday 4 April 2008

Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty by Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and John Lloyd


I'm starting to realise how big a problem gifts cause me.

This is a great collection of scripts from the Blackadder television series. And I'm not going to read it. I've seen every programme - at least once - and they're probably available on-line somewhere if I ever need to refer to them.

(Note to self: don't offer any more hardback books to buyers in the USA!)

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Cowboy Records Volume 1 by Various


Back when I was a poor record plugger ekeing out a living in a Notting Hill Basement, I came across a cassette on the front of DJ Magazine mixed by Justin Robertson.

The tape featured tracks from Guerilla Records and was enough to convince me that I liked what was termed "progressive house" music. I bought a lot of releases on the Guerilla label, including some excellent compilations, before branching out with this Cowboy Records compilation.

Sadly, the music never quite grabbed me in the same way and I'll have to release this double CD to ride the range with someone else.

Lifes Rich Pageant by REM


A great album which features one of my all-time favourite REM tracks in "Fall On Me". I bought it quite cheaply after seeing the VHS collection "Succumbs" which feaures lots of early super 8 "videos".

But I have the remastered version with additional tracks, I don't listen to this version any more and I don't need it.

Fall on someone else.