I finally got around to adding a new playlist on finetune, hope you like it - Latest rotation of tracks just in time for spring 2008. All over the map with a few old surprises, but common thread comes back to giving you something to move to. To access all my playlists go here.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
New music
I've recently switched downloading to a new Russian site as mp3sparks is still experiencing payment problems. The new one is legalsounds.com which Eco found a while ago. Same gray area legalities as other Russian sites, but good up-to-date library and no-nonsense interface. And did I say cheap, how's 9c a song ?
So equipped with a stack of Q mags, iTunes and mp3sparks.com sampling, and some snooty guidance from metacritic.com and an open mind, here are some of the many varied and interesting finds early in 2008. Note score links will take you to the great consolidated review on metacritic and the myspace links are ok but quite slow to load.
Black Mountain - In the Future. A Vancouver band I only just heard about, 4/5 in Q; 79 on metacritic. Retro psychedelica, I especially like the mellow tracks with Amber Webber singing and the the hit track Stormy High. Big enough impact to make me download some old 60's tracks yesterday (Byrds, Mamas & Papas, etc.) for a Inspired by Flower Power playlist. Playing Lee's in March. My score: 7/10.
Cat Power - Jukebox. She's an example of an artist who you need to be in the mood for and she probably won't be what you're expecting. I sampled some tracks quite a while ago, but they didn't take. A hot-off-the-press February Q review (3/5) gave me reason to sample again - this time - I discovered some lovingly assembled cover tracks sung by a lovely voice that will be getting some regular mellow evening rotation. 71 on matacritic. 8/10.
Roisin Murphy - Overpowered. I missed this one in 07. Again, re-reading some old Qs caught me in the mood. Well balanced energy for the some great dance pop. Catchy vid for single, 4/5 in Nov Q, 29th on best of 2007, 82 on metacritic. 7.5/10.
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger. Warm production with heartfelt country rock lyrics. Another one I missed in 07, 4/5 in July Q, 27th on best of 2007, 76 on metacritic. 7.5/10.
Morcheeba - Dive Deep. I couldn't have a best of without a little electronica could I ? This is the latest from one of my faves, this time with a few guest singers. I think Enjoy the Ride is a fantastic track. They are playing here in March - anyone want to join me ? I couldn't find a Q or metacritic review, but one that I did find that stood out was the Independent's 5/5 score. Mine is 7.5/10 for the 4 tracks I've downloaded so far.
So equipped with a stack of Q mags, iTunes and mp3sparks.com sampling, and some snooty guidance from metacritic.com and an open mind, here are some of the many varied and interesting finds early in 2008. Note score links will take you to the great consolidated review on metacritic and the myspace links are ok but quite slow to load.
Black Mountain - In the Future. A Vancouver band I only just heard about, 4/5 in Q; 79 on metacritic. Retro psychedelica, I especially like the mellow tracks with Amber Webber singing and the the hit track Stormy High. Big enough impact to make me download some old 60's tracks yesterday (Byrds, Mamas & Papas, etc.) for a Inspired by Flower Power playlist. Playing Lee's in March. My score: 7/10.
Cat Power - Jukebox. She's an example of an artist who you need to be in the mood for and she probably won't be what you're expecting. I sampled some tracks quite a while ago, but they didn't take. A hot-off-the-press February Q review (3/5) gave me reason to sample again - this time - I discovered some lovingly assembled cover tracks sung by a lovely voice that will be getting some regular mellow evening rotation. 71 on matacritic. 8/10.
Roisin Murphy - Overpowered. I missed this one in 07. Again, re-reading some old Qs caught me in the mood. Well balanced energy for the some great dance pop. Catchy vid for single, 4/5 in Nov Q, 29th on best of 2007, 82 on metacritic. 7.5/10.
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger. Warm production with heartfelt country rock lyrics. Another one I missed in 07, 4/5 in July Q, 27th on best of 2007, 76 on metacritic. 7.5/10.
Morcheeba - Dive Deep. I couldn't have a best of without a little electronica could I ? This is the latest from one of my faves, this time with a few guest singers. I think Enjoy the Ride is a fantastic track. They are playing here in March - anyone want to join me ? I couldn't find a Q or metacritic review, but one that I did find that stood out was the Independent's 5/5 score. Mine is 7.5/10 for the 4 tracks I've downloaded so far.Sunday, January 27, 2008
Best albums of 2007 (by request)
A quick summary of top 10 albums of 2007. I'll start with actual CDs I purchased...
Feist - The Reminder. She's been on lots of best ofs and deservedly so. A few too many quiet numbers, but lovely variety and catchy tracks. Selected tracks: I'm sorry; I feel it all; My moon my man; Sea Lion woman; 1 2 3 4.
Justin Nozuka - Holly. Local Toronto Kid with lots of maturity in his singer songwriter lyrics. Great live show at the Mod Club. Selected tracks: Down in a cold dirty well; Golden train; Be back soon; After tonight.
Champion - Chill 'em all. This album dates back quit a while but I bought it in 2007 and everything else of his since them, including latest DVD. Show of the year for me at Lee's. Selected tracks: No heaven; Tavern; Tawoumga; Keep on; The plow.
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare. Not as good as the opener, but still lots of good stuff and fab live. Selected tracks: 505; Old yellow bricks; Do me a favour; Fluorescent adolescent; Teddy picker.
Now on to standout albums from which I downloaded multiple tracks:
Manic Street Preachers - Send away the tigers. Fantastic tracks, warm, emotional sing-alongs. Selected tracks: Autumnsong; Indian summer; Your love alone is not enough.
Hard-Fi - One upon a time in the west. Sophomore album, more polish, still great heart and energy. Selected tracks: Little angel; We need love; I can't get along; Tonight; Suburban knight; Watch me fall apart.
Reverend and the Makers - The state of things. Lots of dancin' cheeky fun. Selected tracks: Open your window; He said he loved me; Bandits; heavyweight Champion of the world.
Kaiser Chiefs - Your truly, angry mob. Second album from Brit hit makers. Lots of great tracks, fun live show at Koolhaus and fantastic video for Ruby. Selected tracks: Love's not a competition (but I'm winning); Heat dies down; The angry mob; Ruby.
And finally album of the year:
The Enemy - We'll live and die in these towns. Coventry (my home town) youngsters with a lot to say (well). Selected tracks: This song; You're not alone; Dancin' all night; Had enough; Fear killed he youth of our nation; Away from here.
Footnote - and a few that didn't quite make the top 10 but worth noting: Timbaland - Shock value; Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (cuz it was from 2006, but got tons of playtime in 2007); Mark Ronson - Version; Tiesto - In search of Sunrise (vol. 6). And a few more that were late finds: Band of Horses - Cease to begin; Robert Plant and Allison Krauss - Raising Sand; Seal - System.
Feist - The Reminder. She's been on lots of best ofs and deservedly so. A few too many quiet numbers, but lovely variety and catchy tracks. Selected tracks: I'm sorry; I feel it all; My moon my man; Sea Lion woman; 1 2 3 4.
Justin Nozuka - Holly. Local Toronto Kid with lots of maturity in his singer songwriter lyrics. Great live show at the Mod Club. Selected tracks: Down in a cold dirty well; Golden train; Be back soon; After tonight.
Champion - Chill 'em all. This album dates back quit a while but I bought it in 2007 and everything else of his since them, including latest DVD. Show of the year for me at Lee's. Selected tracks: No heaven; Tavern; Tawoumga; Keep on; The plow.
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare. Not as good as the opener, but still lots of good stuff and fab live. Selected tracks: 505; Old yellow bricks; Do me a favour; Fluorescent adolescent; Teddy picker.
Now on to standout albums from which I downloaded multiple tracks:
Manic Street Preachers - Send away the tigers. Fantastic tracks, warm, emotional sing-alongs. Selected tracks: Autumnsong; Indian summer; Your love alone is not enough.
Hard-Fi - One upon a time in the west. Sophomore album, more polish, still great heart and energy. Selected tracks: Little angel; We need love; I can't get along; Tonight; Suburban knight; Watch me fall apart.
Reverend and the Makers - The state of things. Lots of dancin' cheeky fun. Selected tracks: Open your window; He said he loved me; Bandits; heavyweight Champion of the world.
Kaiser Chiefs - Your truly, angry mob. Second album from Brit hit makers. Lots of great tracks, fun live show at Koolhaus and fantastic video for Ruby. Selected tracks: Love's not a competition (but I'm winning); Heat dies down; The angry mob; Ruby.
And finally album of the year:
The Enemy - We'll live and die in these towns. Coventry (my home town) youngsters with a lot to say (well). Selected tracks: This song; You're not alone; Dancin' all night; Had enough; Fear killed he youth of our nation; Away from here.
Footnote - and a few that didn't quite make the top 10 but worth noting: Timbaland - Shock value; Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (cuz it was from 2006, but got tons of playtime in 2007); Mark Ronson - Version; Tiesto - In search of Sunrise (vol. 6). And a few more that were late finds: Band of Horses - Cease to begin; Robert Plant and Allison Krauss - Raising Sand; Seal - System.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
2007 Best of
Tis the season to try and pick my favourite music for the year. And I've managed to squeeze in some of other best of comments below as well.
I'll actually start with an old tune. This one I remember from the late seventies when I was a teenager just before coming to Canada. It was re-introduced on the soundtrack to Hot Fuzz (which you can include on the best movies of the year list) and includes some classic lines from the movie ("why are you dressed like a police officer ?...because I am one"). Track #1 Sweet - Blockbuster.
The next one is an easier going track from one of the most successful British bands in the last 3 years, taken from the second album that like the first, grows on me more every time I listen to it. We were lucky enough to see them here in concert this summer - tight and energized set and one of our favourite concerts of the year. Track #2 Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent.
A was happy to see a bunch of young lads from my home town of Coventry hit big time this year with some great singles and a well put together debut album. Track#3 The Enemy - You're Not Alone is a great example of their gritty boyish anthems.
There were just so many great Brit bands and albums this year. Track #4 The Twang - Ice Cream Sundae is one of the many catchy tracks on their fine 2007 album.
Moving onto the dance floor for the next track. This got regular rotation play on Brit Radio and got some good dance remix attention too. Keep those feet tapping and heads bobbin' to Track #5 Reverend and The Makers - Heavyweight Champion of the World. Lots of fun sprinkled all over the album too.
You may want to sensor the next one for the kids if they can decipher the slurred lyrics. Track #6 from cheeky monkey Jamie T - Calm Down Dearest. Good video too for Sheila with Bob Hoskins lip-synching.
A quirky sing-a-long with near-to-home lyrics like "What Tune is this, but I like it...if you ask the DJ, on Monday I'll buy it" is #7 - Mr Hudson & The Library - Ask the DJ.
# 8 is my favourite track from the latest Kaiser Chiefs record. We saw them live this year and definitely rank high in the book of high energy live acts. Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) is a gentler track and the only one I can think of that includes altruistic as a lyric. Q just included it in their essential downloads with the comment - artful use of parentheses. Along with this cool video (alternate feed from You Tube, which also reminds me of the great long tracking shot in Atonement), from the Chiefs, is Ruby - my favourite video of the year.
Another ballad makes #9 with Tonight by Hard-Fi. A great example of young Brits showing their more tender side. Nice live video version I just found too ! These lads are my must see for 2008 - they were a concert highlight last time around - let me know if you want me to send you a reminder when the concert is announced.
#10 is perhaps my favourite track of the year - The Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone is Not Enough. The song features Nina Persson from The Cardigans on guest vocals. Lots of great tracks from this year's quality album too.
There were a lot of singer songwriting ladies in rotation this year. Keren Ann - Lay Your Head Down (second choice in her MySpace playlist) is #11 with her beautiful voice overlay to this rich production number. She is playing the Mod Club in Toronto in February.
#12 follows the same sub-genre with Amy MacDonald - L.A. An unusual voice that took a while to warm up to, but now always welcome on the home playlists.
I'm are getting a lot of music from some great TV shows these days, including House and Entourage (favourite TV show of the year). I heard #13, Chicane - Autumn Tactics on one of these shows, but I can't find for the life of me remember or find out which one - sorry, system failure ! A great example of the electronic groove beats that are a PJMixer staple. A new find in 2007, but alas a track from 2000. As with a few other tracks on this list, as I'm finding the links, I'm finding a few other gems a long the way, I'll be spending some time on Chicane in 2008.
The second repeat artist from 2006 and the first Canadian contributor for this year makes #14, Feist - My Moon My Man. A very wide tempo mix on her latest album, but full of quality moments.
Number two Canadian act and #15 on this year's best of is Champion - The Plow (actually a 2006 album). This track is a little overshadowed by the massive No Heaven hit, but like #13, hits square bulls eye for sensual female vocal with electro beats, bigger in this case. Champion approaches his art by blending blues guitar and vocals with computer / synth generated beats. Fantastic stuff and their show in Toronto late summer was my concert highlight of the year. The link is their home page, scroll down to the Chill 'Em All album and you can sample some of the tracks, incl. The Plow. Other links are their MySpace page and the promo for their latest live DVD (which was one of my Christmas gifts). But the best link to share is the Ubisoft promo they did using the Jam Sessions Nintendo DS software. The live shots are from the intro of the show I've been trying to explain to a few people - I love these guys, can you tell !
Probably the most obscure track on this year's best of is Track #16, Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone, which I actually found on the Groove Armada Lovebox Weekender compilation. Wacky lyric to infectious tribal rhythms, probably found in the wee hours with a beverage in hand and an in-time wobbly head.
Timbaland came on the radar mid 2007 being associated with producing hits with some of the biggest pop acts of the day, however it took me a little longer to really rummage through the numbers and find some really catchy hip hop and approachable tracks. Track #17's title unfortunately butchers proper grammar like, but Timbaland - The Way I Are is great stuff.
You won't believe where I found this next one. A Michael Caine electronica compilation ! Yes, that Michael Caine. Apparently his passion for the disco is still alive and well, and from the likes of this track, he's got some pretty good taste for electronica with classic samples, in this case Nina Simone. #18 is Felix Da Housecat - Sinnerman (feat. Nina Simone).
And lastly, #19 - Devendra Banhart - Sea Horse. Definitely the most unusual name for a band and the music is very different to anything else on this playlist, and to almost everything I was listening to in 2007. A romp through the fields with flowers in ya hair, settling into some Doors-like darker moments, spinning some kaleidoscopic musical vistas and ending with a vintage Woodstock-like anthem. Quite the epic track to end on and like some very recent downloads, perhaps setting a bit of a sideline trend for what's to come in 2008.
I'll actually start with an old tune. This one I remember from the late seventies when I was a teenager just before coming to Canada. It was re-introduced on the soundtrack to Hot Fuzz (which you can include on the best movies of the year list) and includes some classic lines from the movie ("why are you dressed like a police officer ?...because I am one"). Track #1 Sweet - Blockbuster.
The next one is an easier going track from one of the most successful British bands in the last 3 years, taken from the second album that like the first, grows on me more every time I listen to it. We were lucky enough to see them here in concert this summer - tight and energized set and one of our favourite concerts of the year. Track #2 Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent.
A was happy to see a bunch of young lads from my home town of Coventry hit big time this year with some great singles and a well put together debut album. Track#3 The Enemy - You're Not Alone is a great example of their gritty boyish anthems.
There were just so many great Brit bands and albums this year. Track #4 The Twang - Ice Cream Sundae is one of the many catchy tracks on their fine 2007 album.
Moving onto the dance floor for the next track. This got regular rotation play on Brit Radio and got some good dance remix attention too. Keep those feet tapping and heads bobbin' to Track #5 Reverend and The Makers - Heavyweight Champion of the World. Lots of fun sprinkled all over the album too.
You may want to sensor the next one for the kids if they can decipher the slurred lyrics. Track #6 from cheeky monkey Jamie T - Calm Down Dearest. Good video too for Sheila with Bob Hoskins lip-synching.
A quirky sing-a-long with near-to-home lyrics like "What Tune is this, but I like it...if you ask the DJ, on Monday I'll buy it" is #7 - Mr Hudson & The Library - Ask the DJ.
# 8 is my favourite track from the latest Kaiser Chiefs record. We saw them live this year and definitely rank high in the book of high energy live acts. Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) is a gentler track and the only one I can think of that includes altruistic as a lyric. Q just included it in their essential downloads with the comment - artful use of parentheses. Along with this cool video (alternate feed from You Tube, which also reminds me of the great long tracking shot in Atonement), from the Chiefs, is Ruby - my favourite video of the year.
Another ballad makes #9 with Tonight by Hard-Fi. A great example of young Brits showing their more tender side. Nice live video version I just found too ! These lads are my must see for 2008 - they were a concert highlight last time around - let me know if you want me to send you a reminder when the concert is announced.
#10 is perhaps my favourite track of the year - The Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone is Not Enough. The song features Nina Persson from The Cardigans on guest vocals. Lots of great tracks from this year's quality album too.
There were a lot of singer songwriting ladies in rotation this year. Keren Ann - Lay Your Head Down (second choice in her MySpace playlist) is #11 with her beautiful voice overlay to this rich production number. She is playing the Mod Club in Toronto in February.
#12 follows the same sub-genre with Amy MacDonald - L.A. An unusual voice that took a while to warm up to, but now always welcome on the home playlists.
I'm are getting a lot of music from some great TV shows these days, including House and Entourage (favourite TV show of the year). I heard #13, Chicane - Autumn Tactics on one of these shows, but I can't find for the life of me remember or find out which one - sorry, system failure ! A great example of the electronic groove beats that are a PJMixer staple. A new find in 2007, but alas a track from 2000. As with a few other tracks on this list, as I'm finding the links, I'm finding a few other gems a long the way, I'll be spending some time on Chicane in 2008.
The second repeat artist from 2006 and the first Canadian contributor for this year makes #14, Feist - My Moon My Man. A very wide tempo mix on her latest album, but full of quality moments.
Number two Canadian act and #15 on this year's best of is Champion - The Plow (actually a 2006 album). This track is a little overshadowed by the massive No Heaven hit, but like #13, hits square bulls eye for sensual female vocal with electro beats, bigger in this case. Champion approaches his art by blending blues guitar and vocals with computer / synth generated beats. Fantastic stuff and their show in Toronto late summer was my concert highlight of the year. The link is their home page, scroll down to the Chill 'Em All album and you can sample some of the tracks, incl. The Plow. Other links are their MySpace page and the promo for their latest live DVD (which was one of my Christmas gifts). But the best link to share is the Ubisoft promo they did using the Jam Sessions Nintendo DS software. The live shots are from the intro of the show I've been trying to explain to a few people - I love these guys, can you tell !
Probably the most obscure track on this year's best of is Track #16, Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone, which I actually found on the Groove Armada Lovebox Weekender compilation. Wacky lyric to infectious tribal rhythms, probably found in the wee hours with a beverage in hand and an in-time wobbly head.
Timbaland came on the radar mid 2007 being associated with producing hits with some of the biggest pop acts of the day, however it took me a little longer to really rummage through the numbers and find some really catchy hip hop and approachable tracks. Track #17's title unfortunately butchers proper grammar like, but Timbaland - The Way I Are is great stuff.
You won't believe where I found this next one. A Michael Caine electronica compilation ! Yes, that Michael Caine. Apparently his passion for the disco is still alive and well, and from the likes of this track, he's got some pretty good taste for electronica with classic samples, in this case Nina Simone. #18 is Felix Da Housecat - Sinnerman (feat. Nina Simone).
And lastly, #19 - Devendra Banhart - Sea Horse. Definitely the most unusual name for a band and the music is very different to anything else on this playlist, and to almost everything I was listening to in 2007. A romp through the fields with flowers in ya hair, settling into some Doors-like darker moments, spinning some kaleidoscopic musical vistas and ending with a vintage Woodstock-like anthem. Quite the epic track to end on and like some very recent downloads, perhaps setting a bit of a sideline trend for what's to come in 2008.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Tell me it isn't so
Very bad news, hot off the press...
I'm back, looking for new Editors tracks.
AllOfMP3 Shut Down by Russian Government
Aah, but my account is still active on mp3sparks.com, thanks for the tip TorrentFreak. It's the same owner of allofmp3.com with same backend, so apologies in advance lads if you still can't make a payment.I'm back, looking for new Editors tracks.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Paul & Giacomo
Just heard about this gem on my new favourite talk radio station - CFRB 1010. Regular British Bloke Sings Puccini, beautifully on YouTube. Tears in my eyes.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Making the most of digital music
O recently asked me for advice regarding digital music. I provided some comments (actually in person) but since then there's been a few other occasions that suggest I should write some of this stuff down.
Finding music
Read this blog. Well that's an ok start if you like the same music I do, otherwise here are a few ideas:
There are a plethora of formats to make your digital life confusing these days, incl. music. I prefer to keep it simple with mpeg (MP3). AAC and WMA are the others you bump into and are typically associated with specific vendors, AAC with Apple/iPod and WMA with Microsoft/Windows Media Player. MP3s will play on all personal players and on home/car systems when burned (copied from the computer) on CDs. More info for geeks. Once you pick a format, then choose the quality that fits your listening style. I choose to rip (copy music from CD to the computer) and download at 192 kbps. Some say 128 kbps is CD quality but I disagree. Test the quality differences out yourself wherever you listen to music. Note that the higher the quality the bigger the file, the slower the download, rip and burn. Interestingly ACC offers better quality at smaller file sizes (better compression I imagine) and some download sites vary the cost with the quality you choose.
Buying music
I've covered this topic on quite a few controversial blog posts already, so I don't think I need to say much more. Usual suspects are: iTunes (although there continue to be problems with the proprietary nature of their downloads); Napster and Puretracks (in Canada). However most put DRM in effect and limit your sharing and copying. As one cynical person said, it's like buying a CD and about a year later they come into your home and take the CD back. No big secret that I buy my music online from the controversial Russian site allofmp3.com (which has no such limits and is much cheaper that other big players, although it's tagging is a little weak), and honestly, I don't feel too guilty about it. I go and see a lot of concerts, I buy music DVDs blah blah blah...
Organizing your collection
This is easy for some people, but very difficult for me. A few things I do in keeping my music organized:
[finishing this up on day 2 - taking a little longer than planned to get thru this one, and I'm still probaly going to miss some crucial element - drat !]
Playing digital music
There are many possibilities these days on how, where and when to play and listen to digital music from iPod equipped family cars to mobile phones to the comfort of your very own living room couch.
One simple, and key piece of connectivity gear that is a must-have is a micro-RCA cable. On the micro jack end it plugs into the headphone thingie on all digital music players (incl. a computer itself) and on the other it has stereo white/red RCA jacks to plug into your your existing home hi-fi system. Note that you don't necessarily need all those special cradles and base stations to have digital music playing through your hi-fi.
The variables of home design, budget, equipment, technical savvy will come into play when trying to optimize your own digital music listening system. My solution at home is quite simple and reasonably effective:
My home computer with about 3,000 tracks of digital music is located at the back of the house on the main floor. The living room with my hi-fi system is in the front of the house on the main floor. I have a second pair of hi-fi speakers mounted high on the back wall of the kitchen connected to my hi-fi with speaker cables partially hidden under the floor when the basement was renovated. I have a long (20' perhaps) micro-RCA cable connected to the sound card jack on the back of the computer to my hi-fi. One trick here is I have a "y" connector between the cable and the computer so you can simultaneously hear the computer speakers and the hi-fi. Note that this isn't usually possible if you just use the front headphone jack on the computer. I use iTunes to manage the music and Suze uses Musicmatch to create playlists against the same source music.
Problems: Windows alarms, email notifications etc will be heard on your hi-fi. And if the kids want to play a computer game, you're out of luck. This is where you may also need a more portable back-up plan. Burn come MP3 CDs from your computer on a regular basis and play them directly on your newer model DVD or CD player (most newer model portable CD even play MP3 CDs) connected to your hi-fi. Or synch your portable music player and connect that using the same cable or a handy second one directly to the hi-fi.
Next move for me is adding a third pair of speakers for the deck at the back of the house this spring. The neighbours will love it ! However, complexity comes when adding a third pair of speakers to a standard hi-fi receiver. Extra box probably involved to handle the connections and potential circuit overload.
My home theatre is a completely separate system in the basement that has no connectivity to the computer but does include a DVD player that can play MP3 CDs. It's currently pining for a sexy HD TV.
Finding music
Read this blog. Well that's an ok start if you like the same music I do, otherwise here are a few ideas:
- Hardcopy. Music mags, local entertainment weeklys, etc. My fave is Q Magazine.
- Your local record store. Most have sample stations these days and a great way to hear stuff on the way home from the subway. Most will let you listen to a CD if you're still unsure.
- Full content streaming audio. 2 flavours - online radio stations (my fave is Virgin Radio) and streaming music sites like Pandora. I just found (via a tip from the Post) a new one of this type called finetune that I've been spending too much time on today. Check out pjmixer on filetune to listen to an extended collection of my best of 2006. This may now be the best way for me to share music with friends and family.
- Radio and satellite radio. Make note of those tracks that you hear on local radio rotation every 60 minutes (if you can stomach the advertising) or tune you cable box or satellite radio receiver to one of hundreds of finely tuned stations.
- Online sample sites. This is your last stop before your online or full reality CD purchase. Most music download sites offer 30 seconds of high quality sample of any track you can buy (if 30 secs is enough of a sample for you) or some offer lower quality full samples. Some online music sites like Q also offer samples.
There are a plethora of formats to make your digital life confusing these days, incl. music. I prefer to keep it simple with mpeg (MP3). AAC and WMA are the others you bump into and are typically associated with specific vendors, AAC with Apple/iPod and WMA with Microsoft/Windows Media Player. MP3s will play on all personal players and on home/car systems when burned (copied from the computer) on CDs. More info for geeks. Once you pick a format, then choose the quality that fits your listening style. I choose to rip (copy music from CD to the computer) and download at 192 kbps. Some say 128 kbps is CD quality but I disagree. Test the quality differences out yourself wherever you listen to music. Note that the higher the quality the bigger the file, the slower the download, rip and burn. Interestingly ACC offers better quality at smaller file sizes (better compression I imagine) and some download sites vary the cost with the quality you choose.
Buying music
I've covered this topic on quite a few controversial blog posts already, so I don't think I need to say much more. Usual suspects are: iTunes (although there continue to be problems with the proprietary nature of their downloads); Napster and Puretracks (in Canada). However most put DRM in effect and limit your sharing and copying. As one cynical person said, it's like buying a CD and about a year later they come into your home and take the CD back. No big secret that I buy my music online from the controversial Russian site allofmp3.com (which has no such limits and is much cheaper that other big players, although it's tagging is a little weak), and honestly, I don't feel too guilty about it. I go and see a lot of concerts, I buy music DVDs blah blah blah...
Organizing your collection
This is easy for some people, but very difficult for me. A few things I do in keeping my music organized:
- When ripping your favourite older albums to your computer, I only pick the tracks I've come to loved over repeat listening - say 5 or 6 tracks. If you always skip track 11 on that Flock of Seagulls classic, then why rip it and have it pop again when you're least expecting it.
- Make sure track, album and artist are correctly tagged.
- Choose a limited set of genres that make sense to you. For instance, I am way too heavily weighted on Rock/Pop. Note that genre tagging on the file does carry between players.
- Rate your music so you can create best ofs easily and remember which tracks you like more than others when tackling more obscure named album tracks.
- Add one more categorization - upbeat and mellow. You may need to dig a little deeper into the player to find out where to do this, e.g. I use Grouping within iTunes.
- Start creating playlists, then begin to combine them for more intelligent mixing - this could itself turn into a whole other subject in efficient and effective playlist management.
[finishing this up on day 2 - taking a little longer than planned to get thru this one, and I'm still probaly going to miss some crucial element - drat !]
Playing digital music
There are many possibilities these days on how, where and when to play and listen to digital music from iPod equipped family cars to mobile phones to the comfort of your very own living room couch.
One simple, and key piece of connectivity gear that is a must-have is a micro-RCA cable. On the micro jack end it plugs into the headphone thingie on all digital music players (incl. a computer itself) and on the other it has stereo white/red RCA jacks to plug into your your existing home hi-fi system. Note that you don't necessarily need all those special cradles and base stations to have digital music playing through your hi-fi.
The variables of home design, budget, equipment, technical savvy will come into play when trying to optimize your own digital music listening system. My solution at home is quite simple and reasonably effective:
My home computer with about 3,000 tracks of digital music is located at the back of the house on the main floor. The living room with my hi-fi system is in the front of the house on the main floor. I have a second pair of hi-fi speakers mounted high on the back wall of the kitchen connected to my hi-fi with speaker cables partially hidden under the floor when the basement was renovated. I have a long (20' perhaps) micro-RCA cable connected to the sound card jack on the back of the computer to my hi-fi. One trick here is I have a "y" connector between the cable and the computer so you can simultaneously hear the computer speakers and the hi-fi. Note that this isn't usually possible if you just use the front headphone jack on the computer. I use iTunes to manage the music and Suze uses Musicmatch to create playlists against the same source music.
Problems: Windows alarms, email notifications etc will be heard on your hi-fi. And if the kids want to play a computer game, you're out of luck. This is where you may also need a more portable back-up plan. Burn come MP3 CDs from your computer on a regular basis and play them directly on your newer model DVD or CD player (most newer model portable CD even play MP3 CDs) connected to your hi-fi. Or synch your portable music player and connect that using the same cable or a handy second one directly to the hi-fi.
Next move for me is adding a third pair of speakers for the deck at the back of the house this spring. The neighbours will love it ! However, complexity comes when adding a third pair of speakers to a standard hi-fi receiver. Extra box probably involved to handle the connections and potential circuit overload.
My home theatre is a completely separate system in the basement that has no connectivity to the computer but does include a DVD player that can play MP3 CDs. It's currently pining for a sexy HD TV.
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