Collected Thoughts 04-29-09

• I'm not sure what to make of Hippie Cream's record, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. I need to stew over that one before telling you anything more about it. I smiled through the entire first listen, though.

• TO: All music writers and bloggers.
  
  RE: Asher Roth
  
  Just walk away, guys. It's okay. Just put it down, and walk away. And wash your filthy fucking hands.

• Here's a heartbreaker: Matador Records lost all of their master tapes from before May 2006, which means they have to remaster anything they want to re-release on vinyl from that period.
  
  One of the things about a materialistic culture is that the objects of its obsession are precious, fragile, and temporary. One of the things about digital files is that they can be copied an infinite number of times, forever, and liberate the consumer (and more importantly, the art) from materialism. Just sayin'.
  
  (Thanks to RFS for the link)

• Also, what was Matador thinking? I used to work for a company that made made-for-TV movies for the Lifetime Network. We kept master copies of all our films, even the 30 year-old ones, in two separate locations on opposite sides of Los Angeles, and the raw elements at a third site. Even in the case of a city-wide fire, the chances of one copy surviving would be high.
  
  I know Matador doesn't have a metric butload of cash, but I can't fathom only having one copy of a master and letting a third party hold onto it. If I were Cat Power, etc I might consider a lawsuit. I suppose you'd have to prove that a re-release that was going to happen is now not going to.
  

• I'm not posting the new Pains of Being Pure at Heart video because it is the second time they've made a contemporary video that makes itself look like it is old and vintage. Boring, predictable, lazy, annoying. They would be truly relevant if they contrasted their music against contemporary digital imagery. That would be a meritorious creative challenge.
  

• Here's a cool read about The Beatles in mono. For what it's worth, I prefer the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds in mono. Audiophiles, feel free to chime in.

• Comic book nerdity. (Kitchy, vintage art fans also take note.)
  

• "The Garage Door" is the best Freaks and Geeks episode.
  

• I loved Arlen Specter jumping to the Democrat party because it was political drama and political comedy perfected. Arlen Specter made himself a hilarious ironic meme for years to come!
  
  It's funny first because he had to switch if he wants to be re-elected. It's funny that he's not too stupid or proud to do it. It was funny when the liberal blogs suddenly "loved" Arlen Specter. It was funny to hear the conservative blogs (and Fox News) label him a commie-pig-socialist-traitor-Muslim-homo-49ers fan. Expect a Bill Clinton photo op within the month!
  
  It will be funny when he does toe the Democrat party line. It will be funny when he doesn't toe the Democrat party line. Example: first thing he did after saying he'd "support Obama's agenda in full"? Voted against Obama's budget!
  
  It's like the Arrested Development writing staff is writing the American script now. God, can you imagine how hilarious it will be if / when he loses the general in 2010?

• Cat, internet, etc.