Grant Manship

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 29th, 2005

Jimi Hendrix - "Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne" (Extended Version) from the Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Single

iPod Nano Giveaway - Last Chance!!!

Hey everyone!  I'll be cutting off the entries for the Nano tonight at midnight so be sure to get your top ten lists in by then if you want a chance to win!  If you've already entered, good luck!  If you haven't, what are you waiting for???

Send an email here for your chance to win.

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 29th, 2005

Pajo - "High Lonesome Moan" from Pajo

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 28th, 2005

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - "Your Worst Is the Best" from the I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - EP

New Swearing At Motorists Songs

It's taken me a little while to post this but better late than never!  Secretly Canadian has posted a couple new songs from the upcoming Swearing at Motorists release, Last Night Becomes This Morning.

Be sure to check out the new songs:  "Northern Line" and "Lost Your Wig"

You can also read a little bit more about the new album at Secretly Canadian's website by clicking here.  I'm definitely looking forward to this release in '06.

iPod Giveaway Reminder

Just wanted to remind everyone that the "Best of 2005" iPod Nano giveaway is winding down.  As long as you enter by Dec. 30th you're eligible to win.  All you need to do when you enter is include your name and your favorite records of 2005.  That's it!!! 

I'm going to announce my favorite records of the year as well as the randomly selected winner on New Year's Eve.  Good Luck!

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 27th, 2005

R.E.M. - "E-Bow the Letter" from New Adventures in Hi-Fi

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 26th, 2005

Beck - "Broken Drum (Remix by Boards of Canada)" from Guerolito

The Strokes Not-So-Secret Shows

From the most recent email sent to Strokes fans by manager, Ryan Gentles:

***U.S. "NOT-SO-SECRET" SHOW DATES***
on top of the release, the band will be doing a few SMALL VENUE sneak- preview shows in the U.S.... we won't be announcing WHERE the band is playing into a few days prior to each show:

JAN 03 - Chicago
JAN 05 - Seattle
JAN 06 - Los Angeles
JAN 09 - Atlanta

for most of the tickets to these shows you'll have to win by listening to the local modern-rock radio station in the days leading up to the show...
however, some will be sold as well, but again... you'll have to listen for details on the radio station to figure out how/where/when you can buy or win tickets.. for all info on these shows, tune into the following radio stations leading up to the show....

Chicago, Q101
Seattle,  KNDD "THE END"
Los Angeles,  KROQ 106.7
Atlanta, tune  99X

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 23rd, 2005

Vince Guaraldi Trio - "Christmas Time Is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 22nd, 2005

Bob Dylan - "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" from Blood on the Tracks

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom

Since finals are over I FINALLY had a chance to sit down and listen to Broom from SSLYBY.  I can certainly say the album's great, and everything I had hoped for, considering how long I had to wait to give it a proper listen! 

As one reviewer put it, "Broom might just be the best album I have heard in 2005 from anyone. From the opener, 'Pangea,' with its sweet ba-ba-da melodies, to 'Gwyneth,' the gorgeous closer, Broom is an insanely good debut."  This is definitely a case that can easily be made.

The track "House Fire" is one of those sweet songs that you almost have to put on repeat, and listen to over and over again, until you fall asleep.  I know because that's what I did last night.  I can't get the song out of my head now that I mention it.  That being said, you can do that with pretty much any song on Broom.

So what does this all mean?  It means you need to buy the album and join the tape club while you're at it.  Who knows what great stuff will land in your mailbox because of it!

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 21st, 2005

Blur - "Girls & Boys" from Parklife

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 20th, 2005

Havergal - "Far Enough to Be Alone" from Elettricita

iPod Giveaway Update

What's up people?!?  There seems to be a little confusion about this iPod Nano giveaway based on a couple emails I've received with questions.

No, if you enter, I'm not going to assume your identity and steal your liver leaving you in a tub full of ice.

If you don't want to send your mailing address in I guess we'll figure out some other way to get the iPod to you.  Any suggestions on ways to send an iPod via wormholes, telepathy, or Jedi mind tricks...you all just please let me know.

So again, I've taken out the part about needing your mailing address since apparently that's the latest way to steal someones soul.  Just remember that I've got to have SOME way of contacting you to let you know you've won and SOME way to get it to you.  I'm not sure but your tinfoil hats may prevent you from receiving my congratulations email but than again, maybe it won't.  Good Luck!!!

Favorite New Release of the Week - Dec. 20th, 2005

Ryan Adams - 29

More often than not, Ryan Adams' prolificacy-- check the three full-length records he released in 2005 alone-- is snorted away as a feat of spectacular cockiness, worthy only of eye-rolls and disenchanted sighs. Adams' avalanching output certainly perverts common notions about art-as-pain, perplexing folks who think songwriting should be all clenched fists and bloody fingernails-- but no matter where you land on Adams' preposterous pacing, there's still something compelling (fearless, even) about the display.

- Amanda Petrusich, December 16, 2005 via Pitchfork

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 19th, 2005

Neutral Milk Hotel - "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" from In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 16th, 2005

Apollo Sunshine - "Lord" from Apollo Sunshine

Best of 2005 iPod Nano Giveaway

It's good to be back!!!  So, now for details on the Nano giveaway.

On Dec. 31st I'll be posting what I believe to be the best/my favorite records of 2005.  Now, this shouldn't be some groundbreaking event that should warrant much suspense or even an announcement of this sort.  That is except for the fact that by you, a fellow fan of music with a "Best of 2005" opinion, submitting what you thought the best records of this year were might win you a brand new iPod Nano.  I've been feeling extra Christmas-ey, or should I say holiday-ey, depending on your opinions about the raging debate on which is the proper way to address people during this time of year, so I wanted do something cool for the people who stop by here.

The contents of your list don't matter (your opinions won't make you any more or less likely to win) aside from the fact that I'll compile a "Best of 2005" list of what everyone who enters thought.  I'll randomly draw one name from the entries I get and announce the winner on the last day of 2005.

If you want to enter, send an email here (on or before Dec. 30th, 2005) with your top 10 albums of 2005.  In the email you MUST include the following information to be eligible to win:

Full Name
and MOST IMPORTANTLY, don't forget your top 10 albums of 2005.

Don't worry, I'm not going to be sending any kind of junk mail (or any normal mail for that matter) to either address, I just want to make sure I have a way to contact the winner.

Oh, and in case you're wondering about which Nano it is?  Come on, this is Grant here, I wouldn't want to give you anything less than the black 4 GB model!!!

Well that's it...  I hope everyone enters and wish you all good luck!  I think this should be a fun way to end the year.

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 15th, 2005

Louis Armstrong - "What a Wonderful World" from the What a Wonderful World - Single

Busy Busy Busy

Hey Everyone!  I'm not going to be around for a couple days so the site might be a little slow.

Please be sure to check back on Thursday though, I'm going to be giving away an iPod Nano in relation to my "Best of 2005" list.  I should have the details up then.  Have a good week!

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 9th, 2005

The Flaming Lips - "Turn It On" (Bluegrass Version) from the She Don't Use Jelly EP

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 8th, 2005

The White Stripes - "Walking With a Ghost" from the Walking With a Ghost - Single

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 7th, 2005

Animal Collective - "Grass" from Feels

Live Arcade Fire And More!!!

Head over to So Much Silence for mp3's of Arcade Fire's performance at First Avenue in Minnesota.  The recording comes from the bands Sept. 29th concert that was broadcast Sunday on Minnesota Public Radio's The Current.

Also, Dodge over at MOKB was kind enough to post a link to A Very Arcade Xmas.  These recordings were made at Win's 2001 Christmas party and featured Win, Regine, Dane, Brendan, Sean, Anita, Kirsten and Kyla. The tracks were supposedly given as a gift in 2002.

Favorite New Release of the Week - Dec. 6th, 2005

Cat Power - The Greatest / Hate - Single

Cat Power's Chan Marshall forgoes stark intimacy for something more lush on this new track from her upcoming album of the same name, "The Greatest."  Augmented by piano, strings and backing vocals, she reaches out for something more soulful - and gets it.  The track was recorded in Memphis and for every echoing hush that is Cat Power, there's a sweeping grandeur that sounds sparkling and new.

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 6th, 2005

Tom Vek - "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes" from We Have Sound

Pitchfork Interviews Wolf Parade

Check out Pitchfork's interview with Wolf Parade here.

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 5th, 2005

My Morning Jacket - "Bermuda Highway" from the Acoustic Citsuoca EP

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 2nd, 2005

Voxtrot - "The Start of Something" from the Raised by Wolves EP

José González Covers the Boss...Again

Yet another great cover from José González.  This time it's another Bruce Springsteen song.

• Born in the U.S.A. (live) via gorilla vs. bear

If you missed hearing any of the previous covers check them out.

iTunes Song Suggestion of the Day - Dec. 1st, 2005

Wolf Parade - "Disco Sheets" from the Wolf Parade - EP