Author Archives: mathan

Retail therapy

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Today I engaged in some retail therapy and decided to buy a bunch of music on CD including

  • Pet Shop Boys – Elyisum – The main reason I went shopping
  • New Order – Retro
  • Alanis Morrisette – Havoc and bright lights
  • Kylie Minogue – The Best of
  • David Gahan – Paper Monsters – A steal at $1.99!

Chicago is one of those cites where I like to go shopping for music, like London.  Let me loose in HMV on Oxford St in London, 333 Yonge St (which is a pale shadow of what it was in the early 90s) or a Virgin Megastore and I’m in heaven.

Except, here in Chicago, the Virgin Megastore I was looking forward to visiting is now no longer open.  I knew Virgin had shut down the store in San Francisco, but looking at their website, I had not realized they shut down in the UK, Ireland, Spain, US, Canada, Australia and Japan!

They are open in France, Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman.

On the “Elysium Track by Track” with David Walliams, Pet Shop Boys mention that a staggering 96% or 98% of music is now purchased online – I cannot remember if that was in the UK or internationally.  I knew things were dire in the physical distribution market for music, but I didn’t realize it was that bad.

And that is sad.

I asked someone that, with the Megastore being closed, where does one get music?  HMV?  Can’t find one in Chicago.  FYE at 26 East Randolph St. is the place to go from what someone suggested to me.

So after work, I had a Chicago experience on the ‘L’ – my first time going around the Loop.

I had a great time just looking for music, and I couldn’t be happier.  It’s been a long time since I did that.

There’s nothing like having your hands on the real physical project.  Being able to read the lyrics, reading the liner notes.  Without this, the music is too impersonal.  You never see details about who worked on what track, who was involved, what equipment was used, who do the artists want to thank, who is the album dedicated to?  Nothing unless you get an iTunes LP, and even then it’s only if it’s programmed into the multimedia interface.

Music is not something to just be consumed.  A collection should be nurtured. Listened to and enjoyed.  And that from an artist who has a track on iTMS and has pretty much only released music digitally.  There were/are physical copies of Bear Tracks 3 out there, BTW.

You’re only getting part of the experience.

I also still like listening to albums in the order in which the artist or band laid them out on the album.  Often they tell a story and it’s quite an art to make an album flow, much like how a DJ takes you on a trip at a club.

Then, of course, there is the quality question.  Nothing beats a CD relative to M4As, MP3s, iTunes Mastered, etc…  Some say there’s nothing like playing vinyl – the warmth, etc… And I can appreciate that after having bought albums in digital format that I had only previously owned in vinyl.

I’ve fantasized for years about, and have wanted to put together an actual physical album – be it on CD or Vinyl, complete with artwork, etc…  It’s about time I stepped up to the plate on writing more music.

I digress.  After leaving FYE, I couldn’t wait to open the albums so I rushed over to the Washington – Blue station to get the train out to Cumberland station, to meet up with a coworker back at the hotel for diner.

On the station platform I opened up each album and read the liner notes, the thank yous, the equipment used, some of the lyrics, and in particular the interviews in the New Order Retro box set.

Very much my happy place.

iTMS: Nice bug…

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So, I got a response back from Apple.

In short, if you pause a download while downloading a song from iTMS, iTunes thinks that is the breaking point in the song – where the song stops.  I certainly did that with a few tracks while downloading.

Seriously?  How dumb is that?  And when is this going to be fixed?

iTMS: Songs that don’t play fully

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I opened the following support case with Apple – I’ve seen this happen too many times with iTunes Music Store downloads recently.

In short, while you’re playing music the music stops playing and proceeds to the next track, despite there being time left on the track.  The issue does not happen on my iPhone, iPad or Apple TVs.

Buyer beware – just in case…

I purchased Pet Shop Boys “Elysium” (Order MGZBZW1437) and “Winner” (Order MGZBTMXGJ9) – both have tracks that when played on iTunes on my Mac, it sometimes stops in the middle of the track and proceeds to the next track. On my iPhone and Apple TVs the content plays correctly.

Here are the tracks that do that:

– From Elysium – Leaving, The Early Stuff, Give it a go, Elysium Track by Track (with David Walliams)

– From Winner – The way through the woods (Long Version) –

To recreate either play the whole track through or you can even scan through the track. In the case of “The way through the woods (Long Version)”, it stops at where you think the end of the track is but there is a whole second part to the track. It stops at 4:03 with 1:39 still left in the track – which is the best part of the track.

I’m not sure if this is an iTunes Store encoding issue, or a problem with iTunes software itself. I’d appreciate the store looking into this.

Review: Elysium – Pet Shop Boys

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I was able to get an advanced copy of the new Pet Shop Boys album, Elysium, a few weeks prior to release which takes place in Canada on September 11th.

At first the album did not grab me.  Taking it home, putting it on the stereo while I was cleaning up in the kitchen, it just didn’t capture my attention.  At one point I went as far to say, “This is the worst Pet Shop Boys album ever.”

When you travel as much as I do for work, you look for consistent things to help keep you sane.  As of writing this review, I will have been out of the country 15 weeks out of 22 with many more to come.  This gives me a lot of time to listen to music on the plane, in the lounge, at the gate, and at the gym.  So I’ve had a lot of time to list and analyze the album.

Just like Behaviour, which is such a deep album, Elysium, to me, is very much the follow up.  Instead of begin written in Germany, it was written in Los Angeles – who knew that such opposite places on the planet could evoke similar emotion updated, 20 years later?

Leaving – The third single, if you count the early release of Invisible the first release, a song about hope after a break up, almost brutal reality.  Surprisingly upbeat and catchy despite the chants of “Our love is dead”. Don’t play this song if you’re on a date.

Invisible – Very trippy, dub step. The video for this was completely brilliant, and a throwback to the Very days.  Admittedly, it reminds me of music played in the 80s at my orthodontist’s office, and definitely a track that belongs on Behaviour.  I’m not exactly sure if there is a hidden message to the song, but it describes the story of a socialite who has realized they’re “Invisible”.  I had thought that the song was a song about the double edged sword seeing that as a somewhat positive thing in their life, and the negative aspect of people who grow older being somewhat invisible.  It really is much more the latter case. “Look at me the absentee, disappearing finally, goodbye.  Is it magic or the truth, strange psychology or justified, by the end of youth.  Can you hear me, can you see me, am I really here?  I’m invisible.”

Winner – Many people think this written for London 2012, but it wasn’t.  It was inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest.  Who can’t get caught up in Eurovision?  I know I did at my first experience in 1996 – and yes, I rooted for Gina G at the time; and I got caught up with it in Uruguay when I had nothing else to do.  I would love to see the Boys support a new artist by playing backup for them at the Eurovision Song Contest as a    Amazingly upbeat for Pet Shop Boys, and I love the exposure they give the trans community, and specifically the MTF community, in their video.  Kudos for trans awareness!

Your Early Stuff – “It’s bad in a good way if you know what I mean” – A response to things taxi drivers have said to the boys as they tour around.  It very much reminds me of, “Yesterday when I was mad” from Very, toned down.  “They say that management  never used to pay, unless you got ripped off back in the day.  Anyway, what’s your name?”

Face Like That – If you’re looking for the stomper track, this is it. Pure Pet Shop Boys synth pop, reminiscent of tracks from Please taken to the next level, maybe “Two Divided by Zero”.  This would have me dancing in my hotel room on loud.  Love the bass line and the drum machine.  “With a face like that how couldn’t I want you, With a face like that  why wouldn’t I fall in love with you”

Breathing Space – This is my favourite slow track on the album.  Being an introvert and with how much I have had to be ‘on’ being the face of the company I work for in front of clients and the two companies we acquired recently; I can totally relate to the story and message behind the track.  The need to take time for yourself when you’ve been non-stop go go go.  I’d be proud singing this at karaoke.  I love the strings on this track.  “I stop for some breathing space, divert from the public place, return to a private place, I know it’s there just in case I gotta get out.”

Ego Music – A response to stupid things said by people who are public figures for all the wrong reasons; very similar to “How can you expect to be taken seriously” but more general rather than a specific artist.    I really dislike how this track is put together, unfortunately.  The lyrics is what makes this track shine and they make me laugh my ass off.  Here are some samples:

“I am my own demographic, what does that say about me?”

“I think whats fascinates people about me / And I’m really grateful to my fans / Is that I”m totally  fearless / People really get that / in the sea of negativity  / I’m a statue of liberty / That’s why people love me / It’s humbling”

The way Neil says all this all deadpan is even more hilarious.

Hold On – I think this is the first song written by anyone that pays homage to the recession being felt worldwide, and especially in Europe.  I thought the virtual backup singers during the album launch concert in Berlin were hilarious and brilliant.  The ultimate cost cutting measure for a band?  I’m not saying that to be critical of Pet Shop Boys, they are feeling the crunch – have been for years as the music industry implodes with trying to figure out digital initiatives.  This track was inspired by Handel.

Give it a go – This feels like a track from Release, very west coast, maybe even Beach Boys-esque?  The song is also another practical look at relationships with that brutal reality and honesty element, while being uplifting. “I’m not saying that you can’t find yourself someone better, Oh no, but in the meantime why not give it a go?”  I think all those guys looking for the next best thing in a relationship should give this song a good hard listen.  I really do like this track and I could see some really great dance remixes being created.

Memory of the Future – In addition to Winner and Face Like That, I see this track as the other big dance track on the album and almost a stomper.  Some great chord progressions on this one.  It’s up there with “This used to be the future” as found on the “Etc…” extra disc that came with limited edition of “Yes”, which I thought was a brilliant track and well worth tracking down.  “It’s taken me all of my life to find you”

Everything Means Something – This song suffers from the same issue as Ego Music.  It starts very slow and not all that inspiring, but the chorus is really beautiful.

Requiem in Denim and Leopardskin – OH MY!  This totally takes me back to late 70s, early 80s television programming.  Visions of Charlie’s Angels combined with Dallas, Liz Taylor and even a bit of James Bond.  Total shag carpet, wood panelling, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible, Playboy and LAX. The fabulousness, the opulence.  Even if I didn’t know the album was recorded in Los Angeles I would have had these visions.  It should be a theme song to a new TV show.  This will become a hit during concerts.  Who of Neil or Chris will wear the Leopardskin print?

This album is definitely not Yes, and it’s not as heavy politically as Fundamentalism

What about the Winner EP?  What a great set of tracks!  I’ve already talked to Winner itself.  Here are my thoughts on the others:

A certain “Je ne sais quoi” – I wish this were on Elysium, but I’m glad this stomper was on the Winner EP as it helped to build support and excitement on the album.  It should have been released as a single.  “In Berlin your’e dancing to techno, before you catch the first flight to Moscow, you know your way around an espace d’affair”  “In Teran they’ve known your for years, despite of clerical fears, they think you understand  their point of view. In the old days it would have been Rome, but now Beijing’s a second home, it started in the 80s just Bertelucci and you.”

The Way Through The Woods – A cute song that feels like it should be part of a musical.  I’m wondering if it was a track cut from the ballet score the Boys wrote.  Love the strings on this track, and the techno dance ending.   Definitely a stomper towards the end.

I started a joke – A cute track.  Who has the laugh in the end?

All in all, a great album and series of tracks from Pet Shop Boys.

Update: I have to say this is probably one of the best, if not the best Pet Shop Boys album to date.  I did go back and listen to each of the albums from Nightlife onwards, and I have to say, all of their more recent work does stand up next to their earlier work.

Be sure to check out the Deluxe Edition download for an interview with Neil and Chris by David Walliams.  It’s quite a neat look at the album.

The completed bathroom

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And here is the masterpiece:

Uruguay 2012 – Trip 1

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Pictures from the first trip

Uruguay 2012 – Trip 2

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Some pictures from my second trip:

A look at this trip

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A look at things from this past trip

She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain’

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And what a mountain she is.  I am, of course, talking about the Andes.  When flying over the Andes from Montevideo to Santiago, they force you to put on your seatbeats.  Mainly because of unexpected turbulence, but Air Canada doesn’t force it when flying over the Rockies.

I suspect it’s because of how high, and how close you are to the Andes.  Also the Andes have the highest point – 7,000m in South America.  You can’t really tell in the pictures I post below, but we are pretty close, and they are quite jagged mountains, and also possibly weather related.  These are from just slightly higher than 11,000 meters high in the sky.

Two other stories, some of these you may have heard about, one documented in the movie, Alive:

And now, some pictures: