hmvblogs - blogs by hmv

duncan goes to ubidays

The highlight this week was a trip to The Louvre, Paris for UBIDAYS 2008. Ubisoft showed us their line-up for the rest of the year, and highlights included Far Cry 2 (OMG, it’s simply amazing), Tom Clancy’s HAWX (awesome high-octane air combat game) and the mighty Soulcalibur IV.

Check out this piece of artwork from the forthcoming Prince of Persia game, which looked almost as impressive as some of the other pieces of artwork on display at The Louvre. Well, almost…

Be sure to check hmv.com early next week for my full report...

The best Lo Fi album in the world...Ever!!!

I came really late to Sebadoh, in fact i only started listening to them this past couple of years. Lucky me then, as Domino have recently re-released one of their best records, Bubble & Scrape, in expanded form, and i can't get enough of it. There's some real classics amongst the 32 tracks, like opener 'Soul and Fire', 'Forced Love' and 'Emma Get Wild'. What i like about this kind of music is that it's so rough around the edges that it feels quite throwaway on first listen, but with repeated listens the songs really shine through their murky production. This is a brilliant album, that any fan of indie or lo-fi music should own, especially with all the added extra stuff (which is even more weird and wonderful than the original material). I caught most of their set at the first of this year's All Tomorrow's Parties festivals, and was suitably humbled in the presence of such indie rock royalty. A couple of years ago i was almost floored walking around the back of Denmark St in Soho when i nearly bumped right into all three members of the reformed Dinosaur Jr, including Lou Barlow, who formed Sebadoh after he 'left' Dinosaur Jr. Great stuff, have a listen...

My Favourite Cult TV - Part 1: Twin Peaks

Welcome to the first in an occasional series of posts I'm going to write about my favourite cult TV shows. I realised the other day that I'm always having nostalgic conversations about old TV shows with friends, so i thought I'd reminisce with you too...

Twin Peaks was first shown when i was quite young and i was probably too young to fully appreciate it at the time, though my sister and i watched it every week anyway. It was quite scary for a kid to watch, but so compelling and quirky that it was totally unmissable. At the beginning, homecoming queen Laura Palmer is discovered dead by local resident

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too much music..

At the moment we're spoilt for choice with live music, there is literally something decent every night to go see. Last night i went to see a guy called Eli 'paperboy' Reed at the Dublin Castle in Camden a kinda male Sharon Jones. As i approached the great Nick Lowe was clearly visible, Jesus Of Cool as ever waiting outside. Turned out he leant a guitar for the occasion. Eli was great, alone with his guitar & a loud green suit in the grimey bar. He played about half hours worth of songs from his upcoming album which is well worth checking out. Then it was on to see the legendary Bob Mould down at Koko. He managed to deafen us with a selection of Sugar, solo & Husker Du tracks and seemed as scarily intense as ever. The audience was sparsely made up of older rockers & he wisely peppered the set with crowd pleasing classics.

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what does your city sound like?

Dj Shadow and Nokia Trends Lab have joined together for a sounds experiment. Use your mobile phone to record sounds that define your city. Upload them at the Nokia Trends Lab site and Shadow will select his favourite one and make a track out of it!  Listen to DJ Shadow's 'San Francisco' track in full at: nokiatrendslab.com/join_lab.php

screenshot of the day

I've just found this new screenshot for the forthcoming LEGO Batman game, out later this year. LEGO Star Wars is already a classic, and  what I've played of LEGO Indy is very much a case of 'more of the same' (and that's no bad thing). Can't wait to play as the Caped Crusader in LEGO form!

a thoroughly good listen

Jonny just lent this 1980-2000 set to me for a listen. I've always admired the concept of Dischord's pure independent ideology from the value element of their CD's to their D-I-Y way of doing things. The Washington indie sound is so refreshing and i love the way many members of the bands actually work at the label warehouse and offices. It's got a great booklet too with loads of biog and photos on each band.

touch screen turntable

Scott Hobbs is taking turntablism to a whole new level. This Dundee University student has created a touch screen turntable size...erm...well, turntable that allows you to sample, scratch and loop waveforms instead of records/cds etc.

hideo kojima @ hmv

Calling all Metal Gear fans – Hideo Kojima, the living legend himself will be in our prestigious flagship store, 150 Oxford Street, London on 2nd June, for two reasons: to browse our back catalogue of Joy Division records, and (more importantly) to sign hmv exclusive pre-order sleeves on Metal Gear Solid 4.

So get yourself down to London Town bright and early a week on Monday, and you can meet the main man… see you there!

Guitar Hero World Tour

Announcement of the day: Activsion have confirmed the next Guitar Hero game, Guitar Hero World Tour. The game will include wireless Drums and Microphone, as well as, ummm, a guitar. There’s also a songwriting feature, which lets you create your own rock anthems and share them with your friends. Sounds good!

PS, don’t forget Rock Band is out tomorrow!

i'd forgotten this one

For some reason this guy didnt make it, he kinda found Bon Jovi who returned the favor down the line & wound up writing for Celine Dion. I guess he's retired now, here's a 'classic' video.. how many videos feature the main man in a leopard suit??? not enough!

Aldo Nova - Fantasy

don't judge a book etc

Got this recommended to me recently & when it turned up it was a real 'what the hell???' the cover is awful..

It's pretty good powerpop produced by Earle Mankey who's been involved in many great records over the years. hear some clips here

http://www.theeddies.net/multimedia/index.htm