The Current Music Blog: December 20, 2006 Archive

We only read it for the articles at The Buffering Stream 12/20

Posted at 7:12 AM on December 20, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

It's been a long time since we discussed naughty Australian euphemisms

Posted at 11:03 AM on December 20, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

We told you earlier this week about Tapes 'N' Tapes getting their equipment ripped off outside of Perth. So what else is going on in Australia that's morally questionable?

You've already buried your leather shoes in a moonlit ritual... now you better consider any sweaters that are made with Australian merino wool. "Outspoken rock star" Pink has joined up with PETA to educate the world about the sordid practice of "mulesing" two-month-old lambs. (It's a somewhat brutal procedure to reduce the sheep's vulnerability to flies and dirty wool in its nether regions.)

Frankly, it will be a downhill battle for Pink: The practice has been outlawed in Great Britain for some years, and Australian shepherds recently voted to outlaw it there, too. When it comes to the Down Under, we can all agree that the natural look is probably best.

Old Business # 1: Winners of the Critic Popularity Poll!

Posted at 4:41 PM on December 20, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

You came, you saw, you expressed your opinions. As the estimable Pete Scholtes says (in the comments here), the Twin Cities are blessed with a tremendous amount of quality music criticism and journalism. That supply would not exist without a demand. (That's your cue to take a bow, noble listeners and readers.)

Anyway, without further ah-doo, here are the results of the unofficial, unscientific, off-site, deeply flawed, but nonetheless irresistible popularity contest:

1. Ross Raihala (Pioneer Press)
2. Christopher Bahn (The Onion AV Club)
3. Jim Walsh (City Pages)

But the feelings were so warm for so many that we can hereby declare everyone a winner. Fa la la la la!

Old Business #2: Last Minute Rock N Roll GIfts That Aren't CDs

Posted at 5:03 PM on December 20, 2006 by Hans Eisenbeis

1. Factory Records: The Book

2. The Hold Steady Twins Tee

3. The Word magazine