We've Been Saying It For Years.
Now <I>Rolling Stone</I> has noticed the <A HREF="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17777619/the_death_of_high_fidel… wars</A>.
Wes Phillips
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Creeped Out By Tidings of Comfort & Joy?
Well, if you're tired of being jolly, you <I>could</I> go see <I>No Country For Old Men</I>, which will counteract any amount of Whooville saccharine. John Patterson has a <A HREF="http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,2230352,00.html"… time</A> with the Coen brothers.
Mars and Orion Over Monument Valley
To see the big picture, go to <A HREF="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071225.html">Astronomy Picture of the Day</A>.
Tal Wilkenfeld
John Atkinson and I spent some time today admiring <a href="http://www.myspace.com/talwilkenfeld">Tal Wilkenfeld</a>'s bass playing. Sheesh. The girl is only 21 years old. Beyond her sheer skill, which is stunning, Wilkenfeld seems to just <i>know how to play</i>. I first caught her on PBS one night while flipping through channels. It was Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, and she was performing with Jeff Beck. I was surprised to see such a young musician on stage with one of rock's living legends, but I soon discovered that Wilkenfeld was right where she belonged. Seems she <i>always</i> knew. Story goes that Wilkenfeld dropped out of her Sydney, Australia high school when she was only 16. Packed her bags and moved to Los Angeles to become a musician. She's only been playing bass for five years.
A Fairytale of New York
The Beeb censored Shane MacGowan's "Fairytale of New York" for its use of a slur.
Sam Leith <A HREF="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=2CF13YVN1JHF5Q…; that Auntie mistook a slur for a swear-word—an unforgivable sin in the maidenly world of journalism.
Just Saying Is All
If you're tired of talking to your relatives during this festive season, may I suggest you watch <A HREF="http://www.stardustmovie.com/"><I>Stardust</I></A> together? It came out on DVD last week and <I>The Wire</I> doesn't resume broadcast until January 6. Best of all—almost nobody in your family has seen it—unless I've hectored them into seeing it.
Good Honest Fat
That'll cure what ails ya! Angela Hartnett says <A HREF="http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,2231196,00.html">real comfort food</A> is the way to recharge that candle you've been burning at both ends.
Nerdcore, part deux
Confused about widescreen aspect ratios? I certainly am.<A HREF="http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/lobby.htm">Widescreen Museum</A> sets us straight.
What was your favorite new release of 2007. No reissues allowed.
Say what you will about the general state of the music business, good music still pops up from time to time. What was your favorite <I>new</I> release of 2007. No reissues allowed.
Audioengine 2 powered loudspeaker
In nearly 25 years, it's been rare that I've reviewed an exciting breakthrough product. The Audioengine 2 is such a product—not because it performs at an extraordinary level (though it does), and not because it's such an incredible value for money (though it is), but because it creates a new market, a new application for high-end audio, and a chance for audiophiles to enjoy music in ways they may have never considered before.