 | ||
| full size 24 pg. booklet with amazing liner notes and pictures! |
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| 5 LPs w/ beautiful inner sleeves & an open page of the booklet! |
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| fold-out poster! |
| Oh, and a whole buttload of good songs! |
music art books zines people
Monday, December 31
Can - Lost Tapes 5LP box: What's Inside!?
In case anyone was wondering, here's what comes inside the recent 5LP box set version of Can's amazing 'Lost Tapes' collection....
saki closing at 4pm today!
saki will be closing at 4pm for New Year's Eve festivities! We apologize for any inconvience. We will resume normal hours on Wednesday, January 2nd.
Friday, December 28
Creative Control tonight!
This is the show you've
been waiting for. It's our first ever post-Christmas version of
Creative Control. Listen to people talk about how they went to church
for the first time in a year!
You'll be on the receiving end of music and comedy from:
Marty DeRosa
Cameron Gilette
Timmy Brochu
Sean White
Cullen Crawford
Drew's Tumbler and
Gabe Liebowitz
...all hosted by Joe McAdam.
The show is FREE and BYOB, plus beverages will be provided by Powell Brew House! They were here last time, and were incredible. Get used to them.
RSVP on Facebook!
You'll be on the receiving end of music and comedy from:
Marty DeRosa
Cameron Gilette
Timmy Brochu
Sean White
Cullen Crawford
Drew's Tumbler and
Gabe Liebowitz
...all hosted by Joe McAdam.
The show is FREE and BYOB, plus beverages will be provided by Powell Brew House! They were here last time, and were incredible. Get used to them.
RSVP on Facebook!
Wednesday, December 26
Santah "You're Still A Lover" vinyl available on NYE @ Schubas!
The CD is, of course, available now, but the 12" vinyl EP (released on saki's new label) is scheduled for a January, 8th release! The only way to get it early is from the band, or at saki!
Friday, December 21
Thursday, December 20
iTunes 11: The Horror
Dear Mr. Cook,
I have dutifully submitted this email to the iTunes Feedback page, but I am so disturbed, upset, & embarrassed by this piece of software that I feel compelled to pass this along to your email address as well in hope that somebody in a position of power might step up and fix this problem. While not as dangerous as The Maps Debacle for which you had to apologize, the deformed piece of software that is the delayed iTunes 11 is, to me, more of an embarrassment because the problems are entirely of Apple's own doing and could have been easily avoided.
------------------------
Dear Apple,
I cannot believe you removed iTunes DJ. At its core, iTunes is an MP3 player and you have REMOVED critical functionality from an existing program. What we have left is a horrible mess and is unable to easily perform one of its core functions. We had our company Christmas party this evening, and I found out that you had inexplicably stripped this functionality without an adequate replacement 30 minutes before our guests showed up. I was actually SCREAMING at my beloved MacBook because I, a Mac user since 1984 (and before that an Apple II user), could not get your MP3 player to play music in a manner that worked for a party. Being able to control what comes next on a list is essential. Being able to randomize a playlist and see the results of that process is essential. Being able to manipulate those results is essential. Instead, we ended up with a living room full of music industry professionals either angry, confused, or mocking your software & thankful that we had a computer in the house with the old iTunes software.
Has anybody in a decision making capacity at Apple actually tried to use l ITunes 11 to DJ a party? I cannot believe so.
You've also made it nearly impossible to downgrade.
I am a Mac evangelist and I am embarrassed by this piece of simple software. You added useless eye candy and removed real functionality...the kind of crap I would expect from Microsoft at their worst.
Mortified,
Patrick Monaghan
I have dutifully submitted this email to the iTunes Feedback page, but I am so disturbed, upset, & embarrassed by this piece of software that I feel compelled to pass this along to your email address as well in hope that somebody in a position of power might step up and fix this problem. While not as dangerous as The Maps Debacle for which you had to apologize, the deformed piece of software that is the delayed iTunes 11 is, to me, more of an embarrassment because the problems are entirely of Apple's own doing and could have been easily avoided.
------------------------
Dear Apple,
I cannot believe you removed iTunes DJ. At its core, iTunes is an MP3 player and you have REMOVED critical functionality from an existing program. What we have left is a horrible mess and is unable to easily perform one of its core functions. We had our company Christmas party this evening, and I found out that you had inexplicably stripped this functionality without an adequate replacement 30 minutes before our guests showed up. I was actually SCREAMING at my beloved MacBook because I, a Mac user since 1984 (and before that an Apple II user), could not get your MP3 player to play music in a manner that worked for a party. Being able to control what comes next on a list is essential. Being able to randomize a playlist and see the results of that process is essential. Being able to manipulate those results is essential. Instead, we ended up with a living room full of music industry professionals either angry, confused, or mocking your software & thankful that we had a computer in the house with the old iTunes software.
Has anybody in a decision making capacity at Apple actually tried to use l ITunes 11 to DJ a party? I cannot believe so.
You've also made it nearly impossible to downgrade.
I am a Mac evangelist and I am embarrassed by this piece of simple software. You added useless eye candy and removed real functionality...the kind of crap I would expect from Microsoft at their worst.
Mortified,
Patrick Monaghan
Wednesday, December 19
Tuesday, December 18
saki newsletter 12/18/12!
Hellllo fair readers of the saki newsletter! You're looking good lately. We know because we saw a lot of you this weekend and you even took a bunch of pictures of yourselves on our computer. We now own the rights to your image. If someone tattoos your face on their butt, we own that butt. Deal with it. But seriously you guys, thanks for coming to Ethan D'Ercole's opening on Friday and our Very Girl Group Christmas party on Saturday. We had a blast. We got zero work done all weekend, but we had a blast. We also want to apologize for being closed yesterday (Monday), but we had to do inventory. It's a necessary evil. To make up for it, we've got a cool new event coming up at Lincoln Hall this Thursday! It's part of LH's "3 Penny Was Here" movie series, but saki and The Steamroller have added some of our stand up comic friends to the bill! The first installment is a screening of 80's "Christmas classics" Die Hard and Gremlins with Joe McAdam, the Puterbaugh Sisters, Matt Drufke and Joe Fernandez heckling the whole way through! All of those comics have also appeared on our monthly comedy show, Creative Control, which is happening again on the 28th of this month (and the last Friday of every month)!
We've got some exciting stuff coming up in the next month and a half, so keep your eyes peeled on the saki blog. Just a little teaser though: we've got our first saki label release, Santah's You're Still A Lover EP on 12" vinyl, coming out on January 8th and we're working on throwing a little party to celebrate Santah and their record in January or early February! You can buy You're Still A Lover on CD if you prefer a plastic disc that you can scratch up in your car... We've also got some exciting in-stores and Epitonic saki Sessions coming up in January, including sessions with Chandeliers and Pink Frost, which will be recorded for sessions but will also be co-released by saki and Notes & Bolts on cassette! We're very excited to be working with N&B on this project, especially because all of these cassettes will feature Chicago bands recorded at saki! Kriss from Notes & Bolts does an amazing job finding local artists to interview on his podcast. We recommend you check out both the podcast and the label!
Ok, I think that's it for now. Don't forget to keep checking the blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. around the holidays for some special deals and updates about events at saki!
We've got some exciting stuff coming up in the next month and a half, so keep your eyes peeled on the saki blog. Just a little teaser though: we've got our first saki label release, Santah's You're Still A Lover EP on 12" vinyl, coming out on January 8th and we're working on throwing a little party to celebrate Santah and their record in January or early February! You can buy You're Still A Lover on CD if you prefer a plastic disc that you can scratch up in your car... We've also got some exciting in-stores and Epitonic saki Sessions coming up in January, including sessions with Chandeliers and Pink Frost, which will be recorded for sessions but will also be co-released by saki and Notes & Bolts on cassette! We're very excited to be working with N&B on this project, especially because all of these cassettes will feature Chicago bands recorded at saki! Kriss from Notes & Bolts does an amazing job finding local artists to interview on his podcast. We recommend you check out both the podcast and the label!
Ok, I think that's it for now. Don't forget to keep checking the blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. around the holidays for some special deals and updates about events at saki!
saki/CTD & friends Best Of 2012 lists!
saki/CTD employee's Best Of 2012
Friends of saki/CTD Best Of 2012
You will also be able to find these lists at the top of our blog sidebar (over there >>>) for the foreseeable future. We will continue to add friends' lists as they are sent to us, so check back for awesome recommendations from people who listen to way too much music than is healthy for their social lives year in and year out!
Very Girl Group Christmas Photobooth Shots
Dig through our Facebook album to find your photobooth pictures HERE! Cuties. All of ya.
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| Summer Girlfriends headlined "Very Girl Group Christmas" Party! |
Weekly New Release Sale @ saki!
Each week saki will be offering a handful of new releases for 20% OFF! You can check the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or our newsletter, to find out which titles will be discounted. We'll choose 2-3 titles each week and they'll be discounted for their entire first week of release!
This is a pretty light week for new releases so we'll continue our sale on Unwound's Live Leaves and the Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights: 10th Anniversary Edition, and we're going to bring back Naomi Punk's The Feeling from a few weeks ago because we just got some copies back in stock and it is STILL an awesome record, even if it's not really a new release anymore...
Naomi Punk - The Feeling CD or LP
Bringing this one back to the new release sale even though it's not so new anymore! It's just one of the best records of the year, that's all! Definitely recommended for anyone who has ever enjoyed a Ty Segall or Mikal Cronin record. Get it!
Unwound - Live Leaves CD or LP
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (10th Anniversary Edition) CD or LP
This is a pretty light week for new releases so we'll continue our sale on Unwound's Live Leaves and the Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights: 10th Anniversary Edition, and we're going to bring back Naomi Punk's The Feeling from a few weeks ago because we just got some copies back in stock and it is STILL an awesome record, even if it's not really a new release anymore...
Bringing this one back to the new release sale even though it's not so new anymore! It's just one of the best records of the year, that's all! Definitely recommended for anyone who has ever enjoyed a Ty Segall or Mikal Cronin record. Get it!
The mighty UNWOUND return after an 11 year hiatus with a collection of live recordings from their final tour for their swan song album proper "Leaves Turn Inside You". Think of this as a gift from Unwound to you. A sonic love letter. A promise. Here's to you.
10 years ago, Interpol's debut seized the imagination of a generation. Their spare, lean texutures, darkly oblique lyrics and suave stage presence were entirely different from the bands who preceded them on the charts and the radio. Now fully remastered in a beautiful deluxe hardbound book w/ unreleased photos and a second disc of bonus tracks, many unreleased, plus the demos and b-sides, and a DVD
Friday, December 14
The Gift Bucket!
A few highlights include, the Soup and Bread Cookbook by Martha Bayne (recipes from the Hideout's Soup & Bread Fundraiser!), Henry and Glenn Forever comic by Igloo Tornado, an assortment of Emily Flake and Jay Howell comics, Dmitry Samarov's Hack: Stories From A Chicago Cab, and more!
Tuesday, December 11
saki newsletter 12/11/12!
Yet another amazing weekend in the books with Epitonic saki Sessions from Gnarwaals, Good Wives, Foxygen and Angel Olsen! It's times like these we have to pinch ourselves to make sure this is all really happening. We had a great turnout for Foxygen and Angel on Sunday - thank you all for coming!
This weekend may even be bigger and better than last with the opening of Ethan D'Ercole's print show "From The Rooftops" and our holiday blowout "A Very Girl Group Christmas!" Bedfellows and members of Manniquen Men will play some music for us on Friday for the opening. Kitchen Hips and Summer Girlfriends will play some originals as well as some girl group hits on Saturday. We'll have snacks, and drinks from Goose Island all weekend, but on Saturday we encourage you all to make or buy some cookies for the Christmas Cookie Potluck! We will provide other snacks, but we really want to go all out with the cookie potluck - no holds barred, people! Go nuts!
Keep an eye on the saki blog as we'll be posting our 2012 Best Of lists soon! Also, check out the upcoming events below. We've got some killer stuff coming up in the new year too! And one more thing... don't forget, you can pick up saki gift certificates for 10% off through December 24th!
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City LP's in stock!
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City LP
Weekly New Release Sale @ saki!
Each week saki will be offering a handful of new releases for 20% OFF! You can check the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or our newsletter, to find out which titles will be discounted. We'll choose 2-3 titles each week and they'll be discounted for their entire first week of release!
This week we're offering the legendary Scott Walker's latest effort, Bish Bosch, Unwound's live album, Live Leaves and the 10th anniversary edition of Interpol's Turn On The Bright Lights!
Scott Walker - Bish Bosch CD or LP
The legendary singer & experimental musicians' latest is a tauter but more colorful experience than 'The Drift,' with greater emphasis on processed, abrasive guitars, digital keyboards and thick silences. Let's get weird!
Unwound - Live Leaves CD or LP
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (10th Anniversary Edition) CD or LP
This week we're offering the legendary Scott Walker's latest effort, Bish Bosch, Unwound's live album, Live Leaves and the 10th anniversary edition of Interpol's Turn On The Bright Lights!
The legendary singer & experimental musicians' latest is a tauter but more colorful experience than 'The Drift,' with greater emphasis on processed, abrasive guitars, digital keyboards and thick silences. Let's get weird!
The mighty UNWOUND return after an 11 year hiatus with a collection of live recordings from their final tour for their swan song album proper "Leaves Turn Inside You". Think of this as a gift from Unwound to you. A sonic love letter. A promise. Here's to you.
10 years ago, Interpol's debut seized the imagination of a generation. Their spare, lean texutures, darkly oblique lyrics and suave stage presence were entirely different from the bands who preceded them on the charts and the radio. Now fully remastered in a beautiful deluxe hardbound book w/ unreleased photos and a second disc of bonus tracks, many unreleased, plus the demos and b-sides, and a DVD
Monday, December 10
New Releases @ saki 12/11!!!
Circle City Band "S/T" LP (re-issue)
Fountains Of Wayne "Utopia Parkway" LP (re-issue)
Indian Jewelry "Peel It" LP
Interpol "Turn On The Bright Lights" CD/LP/DVD (reissue with concert footage and more!)
Jawbreaker "Chesterfield King" & "Bivouac" LP (re-issue)
Bert Jansch "Heartbreak" LP (re-issue)
Kendrick Lamar "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" LP
Michna "Moving Mountains EP" 10"
Rolling Stones "Doom & Gloom" 10"
Swans "Feel Good Now -- Live, 1987" CD (re-issue)
Ultraista "Smalltalk Remixes" LP
Unwound "Live Leaves" LP (archival live recording)
Fountains Of Wayne "Utopia Parkway" LP (re-issue)
Indian Jewelry "Peel It" LP
Interpol "Turn On The Bright Lights" CD/LP/DVD (reissue with concert footage and more!)
Jawbreaker "Chesterfield King" & "Bivouac" LP (re-issue)
Bert Jansch "Heartbreak" LP (re-issue)
Kendrick Lamar "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" LP
Michna "Moving Mountains EP" 10"
Rolling Stones "Doom & Gloom" 10"
Swans "Feel Good Now -- Live, 1987" CD (re-issue)
Ultraista "Smalltalk Remixes" LP
Unwound "Live Leaves" LP (archival live recording)
REACH-RANT: NPR for the most part, you embarass humanity
With lists like these -
NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums Of 2012
Dear jebus, who the hell is working at NPR these days? The elderly? Zombies? Romney staffers?
Nope, it's folks who have - in general - no real music collection, no real impetus to have any, much lest a vast knonwledge of music, & who likely frown upon a physical good over a digital one - y'know, like this complete douchenozzle.
With the exception of Neneh Cherry & The Thing's "Cherry Thing" and Ty Segall's "Twins", this list has to be a joke. Has to be.
Iris Dement? C'mon. I. MEAN. C'MON.
The (m'fn!) Alabama Shakes? What??!? I'm from Alabama, and trust me, no one there is proud of this band. NO ONE.
Simon Rattle & The Berlin Philharmonic? A recording of Bach? Really? Really. It's 2012. The worst hip-hop music deserves more attention than this.
and, PINK? What did you ask your 7 year old daughter to pick her favorite?
Kill me.
(These opinions are soley those of one Mr. Adam Reach. Despite the rant, he loves cats, Slayer, and Diet Dr. Pepper. CTD, Ltd and Saki do not share these opinions, they're merely, his.)
NPR Music's 50 Favorite Albums Of 2012
Dear jebus, who the hell is working at NPR these days? The elderly? Zombies? Romney staffers?
Nope, it's folks who have - in general - no real music collection, no real impetus to have any, much lest a vast knonwledge of music, & who likely frown upon a physical good over a digital one - y'know, like this complete douchenozzle.
With the exception of Neneh Cherry & The Thing's "Cherry Thing" and Ty Segall's "Twins", this list has to be a joke. Has to be.
Iris Dement? C'mon. I. MEAN. C'MON.
The (m'fn!) Alabama Shakes? What??!? I'm from Alabama, and trust me, no one there is proud of this band. NO ONE.
Simon Rattle & The Berlin Philharmonic? A recording of Bach? Really? Really. It's 2012. The worst hip-hop music deserves more attention than this.
and, PINK? What did you ask your 7 year old daughter to pick her favorite?
Kill me.
(These opinions are soley those of one Mr. Adam Reach. Despite the rant, he loves cats, Slayer, and Diet Dr. Pepper. CTD, Ltd and Saki do not share these opinions, they're merely, his.)
Sunday, December 9
Foxygen & Angel Olson today (12/9) @ saki!!!
Just a reminder -- we have a terrific saki/Epitonic session with Foxygen & Angel Olson today @ 3pm!!! It's gonna be great -- be sure to get here early to secure a spot!!!
Saturday, December 8
Rock Candy By Helen pendants make great gifts!
Gnarwaals & Good Wives today!
Gnarwaals just released a new digital EP! Check it out on their Bandcamp and come see them at saki today for FREE with Good Wives!Both sets are being recorded for Epitonic saki Sessions!
Don't forget about Foxygen and Angel Olsen tomorrow! Foxygen will play first, around 3pm and Angel Olsen will follow.
Friday, December 7
Vinnie the Intern #32: Top 50 Songs of 2012 (10-1)
10. Joey Bada$$ Feat. Capital STEEZ - "Killuminati" - 1999
Sporting a beat by Knxwledge, "Killuminati" is the slower paced, yet hostile older brother to"Survival Tactics." With extensive references from "Ten Crack Commandments" to Plaxico Burress, Joey Bada$$ shows how he and the rest of PRO ERA have "progressive flows from New York to New Mexico."
9. Flying Lotus Feat. Captain Murphy & Earl Sweatshirt - "Between Friends" - Duality
This song will some day hopefully be looked upon someday as ground breaking. Not only an amazing collaboration between Flying Lotus and Earl Sweatshirt (who gives one of the best verses of his short career), but it created the mystery of the identity of who was Captain Murphy. It would later be found out to be Flying Lotus.
This song will some day hopefully be looked upon someday as ground breaking. Not only an amazing collaboration between Flying Lotus and Earl Sweatshirt (who gives one of the best verses of his short career), but it created the mystery of the identity of who was Captain Murphy. It would later be found out to be Flying Lotus.
8. Maps & Atlases - "Silver Self" - Beware and Be Grateful
Say what you will able Maps & Atlases new sound. While this is in no way comparable to tracks on Trees, Swallows, Houses or You and Me and the Mountain, it doesn't mean that it loses merit in their catalogue. I I don't need a repeat of what I already have. In a completely 180, this is M&A at their most dancable while keeping tappy elements from their earlier releases with their harmonization of Perch Patchwork. "Silver Self" acts as the culmination of their work and is a success.
7. Animal Collective - "Money Riches" - Centipede Hz
While the palate on Centipede Hz kind of all blended together pretty well, "Monkey Riches" stood out for being that song on the album that gives off the same energy as definitive songs like "Fireworks" or 'My Girls." The glitchy chorus with the warm tone of the instrumentals make it an essential Animal Collective track and one of the best songs of the year. (I put the live version since I prefer Avey Tare's live vocals during the chorus. His yelling is a little more fitting than his studio performance.)
6. WHY? - "Twenty Seven" - Sod in the Seed - EP
For as short as this song is, it will be certain to leave an impression. If you pick out any of the lyrics, you will surely be hitting the rewind button. Pulling feathers from a baby robin like pedals and building a small fence from its twenty seven brittle bones for his lover to put "spiders, ice, pennies, or twenty of [her] firstborns baby teeth." Horrific really, but what is really horrific at how gorgeous the melody and how much care and attention to detail the lyrics are sung. Not to mention the ever-shifting beat which gives it a unique touch.
5. Toro Y Moi - "So Many Details" - Anything in Return
Much less filtered and altered, this beautiful organic triumph shows how Toro y Moi has continued to evolve his sound even within only a couple of albums under his belt. Beautiful funky lines, fuzzy keyboards, and some "woos" make it a fun track even if it has a somber tone, as the breakdown contains the question "What happened to us?" Ending with a blend of all the expositions in the piece, they all go well together making a funky, blast that is erratic while still keeping a relaxed coolness that Chaz Bundick can have (and something we all wish we could all possess).
4. Kendrick Lamar - "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" - good kid, m.A.A.d city
A vibe that makes usage of space, "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" is Kendrick Lamar's masterpiece from one of the most realized albums this year, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Some great percussion, funky bass, and beautiful orchestral arrangements that compliment the elegance of the track and set the tone of Kendrick's new found hype but finding solace in the little things such as his music. "You ain't heard the coast like this in a long time" Kendrick states and that is very true. Hip hop needed an album like this that brings the nostalgia of the early 90s Compton back to hip hop.
3. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Live It Up" - Mature Themes
Washed out keys and temperate vocals drive Ariel Pink's standout track of the year, "Live It Up." With the Michael Jackson "woos" and resonance of melody crashing together to form something that could be plucked out of the 1980s. Bass lines are smooth and lyrics are great, as always from Ariel: "dubstep or Duck Stab, baby?"
2. Flying Lotus - "Me Yesterday//Corded" - Until the Quiet Comes
This dreamy two parter is a gorgeous, lush piece that makes it feel as if you are ascending over a city with bright lights and colors adding to a kaleidoscopic vibe. A jazzy blend with electronic textures, this song is euphoric as it hits the second part. Once the beat kicks in I feel immediate transported into whatever world Flying Lotus has created. The 3:00 mark of the track contains some of the most memorable bass lines in recent history.
1. Death Grips - "Hacker" - The Money Store
"Damn, Vinnie is playing that song again" is what I'm sure my roommates thought in the last months of my Junior year. I greeted every morning with playing "Hacker" on repeat. Gaga, can indeed, not handle this shit. I've never really heard anything remotely close to this. The first time I heard this, I was absolutely awe-inspired. The beat is glitchy, distorted, abrasive, yet strangely LCD Soundsystem-esque adding to its dance-like quality. A perfect closer to the greatest album (in my opinion) of the year and to this list, Death Grips truly had a year that will go down in memory as an envelope pushing vehicle that was created to destroy any preconceived notion about what ever they saw fit. Death Grips could be poppy, they could be hip hop, but they would only do what they felt was right. "Hacker" is a testament to their ever changing style, abstract lyricism, and disturbingly addictive energy.
All in all, I sincerely hoped you liked this week of lists. The countless hours I carefully crafted these lists are sure to change as I find more music from this year (which still isn't even over yet). This will be my last set of blogs for a little while...probably. It's been about six months since my first blog and I truly love it. I thank everyone at Carrot Top, Saki, and everyone who does read these blogs. People who have told me they do enjoy it, means a substantial amount. I love showing people new music so I am happy I have a medium to do so. Hopefully you have checked out what's here, I really do recommend every song on my lists. I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction. ;)
For now, I am off to study for finals and my winter break,
Yours,
Vinnie the Intern
"Damn, Vinnie is playing that song again" is what I'm sure my roommates thought in the last months of my Junior year. I greeted every morning with playing "Hacker" on repeat. Gaga, can indeed, not handle this shit. I've never really heard anything remotely close to this. The first time I heard this, I was absolutely awe-inspired. The beat is glitchy, distorted, abrasive, yet strangely LCD Soundsystem-esque adding to its dance-like quality. A perfect closer to the greatest album (in my opinion) of the year and to this list, Death Grips truly had a year that will go down in memory as an envelope pushing vehicle that was created to destroy any preconceived notion about what ever they saw fit. Death Grips could be poppy, they could be hip hop, but they would only do what they felt was right. "Hacker" is a testament to their ever changing style, abstract lyricism, and disturbingly addictive energy.
All in all, I sincerely hoped you liked this week of lists. The countless hours I carefully crafted these lists are sure to change as I find more music from this year (which still isn't even over yet). This will be my last set of blogs for a little while...probably. It's been about six months since my first blog and I truly love it. I thank everyone at Carrot Top, Saki, and everyone who does read these blogs. People who have told me they do enjoy it, means a substantial amount. I love showing people new music so I am happy I have a medium to do so. Hopefully you have checked out what's here, I really do recommend every song on my lists. I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction. ;)
For now, I am off to study for finals and my winter break,
Yours,
Vinnie the Intern
Thursday, December 6
Orindal Records & saki present: Advance Base, Julie Byrne & J Fernandez!
Join us on TONIGHT at The Burlington for Advance Base, Julie Byrne and J Fernandez! Julie is celebrating the release of her debut 7" with Orindal Records, which is available NOW at saki!
Julie's Faster or Greener Than Now 7" was recorded live to tape by Owen Ashworth, with vintage echo and spring reverb effects added to lend a haunted atmosphere to Julie's raw and intimate recordings. It marks her first release on vinyl!
RSVP for the show on Facebook!
RSVP for the show on Facebook!
Vinnie the Intern #31: Top 50 Songs of 2012 (20-11)
20. Grimes - "Oblivion" - Visions
Similar to Bjork, her voice may be off putting to some, but Grimes is a vocalist that grows on you. An icy synth lead that seems almost broken, with her child-like register of vocal range is either going to be seen as irrefutably catchy or blisteringly annoying. If it is the former rather than the latter, you'll get why this is one of the most unique songs released this year.
Similar to Bjork, her voice may be off putting to some, but Grimes is a vocalist that grows on you. An icy synth lead that seems almost broken, with her child-like register of vocal range is either going to be seen as irrefutably catchy or blisteringly annoying. If it is the former rather than the latter, you'll get why this is one of the most unique songs released this year.
19. Squeamish - "Chief Casket" - Hammerhead EP
"Chief Casket" off of Squeamish's Hammerhead EP is a track that has it all: a tinge of math-rock influence to offset the obvious pop-punk aesthetics, three very different vocalists that blend well together, and great lyrics. Their entire Hammerhead EP has been an album I put on quite a bit due to the variety in such a way that you could listen to all three vocalists intently and find something new about each different verse.
18. Death Grips - "I've Seen Footage" - The Money Store
If Salt-N-Peppa had MC Ride in their group, "I've Seen Footage" essential could have been written in 1988. In line with songs such as "Push It," "I've Seen Footage" is one of the most hip-hop releases that Death Grips have catalogue. Defying any expectations, Death Grips can be more like Public Enemy than they are perceived. "I've seen footage, I stay noided" is one of their most catchy choruses, as well.
17. Cloud Nothings - "Cut You" - Attack on Memory
Since Cloud Nothings debut album, they have slowly been working their way towards a darker sound. The stark preview of great "No Future, No Past" may have been a red herring to how the Albini engineered Attack on Memory would sound. It wasn't too far away though. "Cut You" is lyrically one of the darker tracks on this album with a chorus of "I miss you 'cause I need damage, I need something I can hurt." Dylan Baldi has grown immensely as a songwriter and now that Cloud Nothings are more than just a bedroom pop experiment, the possibilities seem that the are endless.
16. Captain Murphy - "The Prisoner" - Duality
Captain Murphy's Duality was an outstanding debut. This may be due to the fact that Flying Lotus (who is also Captain Murphy) knows how to put together a well done record, but here he showcases his impeccable mic skills. He actually exposed himself as Captain Murphy at the first show during the end of "The Prisoner." Sidenote: Hear that radio interference towards the end? It was scrambled due to it releasing the biggest clue: "Rockin' Until the Quiet Comes," a reference to the new Flying Lotus album.
15. Frank Ocean - "Lost" - Channel Orange
Channel Orange was a monumental occasion for Frank Ocean. This Odd Future affiliate who generally transcends the label, he has grown as a vocalist and songwriter since his mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. "Lost" is Frank Ocean at his catchiest. The song, presumptuously speaks about selling drugs (but it may even be life, as the track ends with "Life is the substance"), getting lost in the lifestyle and corrupting the ones you love.
14. Dirty Projectors - Just From Chevron - Swing Lo Magellan
David Longstreth's virtuosity as guitarist is one of the reasons that the twisted pop tunes the Dirty Projectors put out year after year are so successful. With adding hand claps and vocals from Amber Coffman, the sweet sounds blend well into the gruff edges of his vocals. With all of the sweetness in this track, it does not keep the best moment from being Longstreth's yell/groan right before the chorus. There is so much emotion and you can't help but feel it.
David Longstreth's virtuosity as guitarist is one of the reasons that the twisted pop tunes the Dirty Projectors put out year after year are so successful. With adding hand claps and vocals from Amber Coffman, the sweet sounds blend well into the gruff edges of his vocals. With all of the sweetness in this track, it does not keep the best moment from being Longstreth's yell/groan right before the chorus. There is so much emotion and you can't help but feel it.
13. WHY? - "Sod in the Seed" - Sod in the Seed - EP
WHY? jumped back from their three year absence in full force with "Let's review some recent facts..." Yoni Wolf triumphantly speaks about his new purchases and his "first world curse" over a repetitive, but great woodblock heavy beat. After a detour with Eskimo Snow, WHY? have returned to familiar territory with an indie-hip-hop track.
12. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Only In My Dreams" - Mature Themes
This shimmery pop tune shows Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti have refined themselves as songwriters. One of their catchiest songs yet in their long activity, the real standout "Only In My Dreams" is Ariel Pink's songwriting and vocal ability. It is moments where Mature Themes actually owns up to its title and this is one of the moment.
11. Benoit & Sergio - "New Ships" - New Ships - EP
Feel like dancing off your ass in a dizzying display? Benoit & Sergio's intoxicating "New Ships" is for you. The Daft Punk indulged beat carries some very dark lyrics, "so many nooses around my neck as I stare at the sea waiting for new ships" which answer very little questions making it a perplexing, dancable "thinker."
Feel like dancing off your ass in a dizzying display? Benoit & Sergio's intoxicating "New Ships" is for you. The Daft Punk indulged beat carries some very dark lyrics, "so many nooses around my neck as I stare at the sea waiting for new ships" which answer very little questions making it a perplexing, dancable "thinker."
Death Blues
Been meaning to post this for a few weeks now, but well, time flies while you're doing stupid shit, which is pretty much Jon Mueller's point:
Gaze not too long into the abyss, lest the abyss turn its gaze upon you. ~ Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146 (1886).
Conversely, while it is wise to remember that very few of us get to choose when and where to go out–the Acme safe can crush each of us at a time and place of its own choosing, by dwelling too long on our own mortality, we risk falling into The Pit we're seeking to skirt. So, without getting too much more morbid, I will point you to Jon Mueller's cool new meditative project, Death Blues: The Celebration and Opportunity of Each Moment.
His initial manifesto is here, and you can check out more of the Death Blues music on bandcamp and/or buy a physical copy here. The deathblues website has much more from Jon and others on this most important of meta topics. Thanks, Jon.
How much time is left? Do we know? Does our plan know? What happens when we thoroughly hold and understand that our lives are finite? How does this understanding of our end shape our present? And how do we become more ‘present?’ Because each moment is an opportunity and a decision. (emphasis mine)I can tell you that being diagnosed with a chronic disease–I have MS–does tend to shape your focus a little bit about What's Really Important, as does going through the stages of hepatic and then pancreatic cancer with your mother (miraculously unrelated) over the course of eight years, as does having a crazy chick fail to kill your younger brother simply because she neglected to chamber the first round in her .380. But even with all of this existential focussing going on, I can still drift off into complacency and time wasting with the most disaffected sixteen year old.
Gaze not too long into the abyss, lest the abyss turn its gaze upon you. ~ Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146 (1886).
Conversely, while it is wise to remember that very few of us get to choose when and where to go out–the Acme safe can crush each of us at a time and place of its own choosing, by dwelling too long on our own mortality, we risk falling into The Pit we're seeking to skirt. So, without getting too much more morbid, I will point you to Jon Mueller's cool new meditative project, Death Blues: The Celebration and Opportunity of Each Moment.
His initial manifesto is here, and you can check out more of the Death Blues music on bandcamp and/or buy a physical copy here. The deathblues website has much more from Jon and others on this most important of meta topics. Thanks, Jon.
Last Minute Plans: I Am Logan Square Gallery Presents New Exhibit, Memento
Chicagoist alerted us to this cool opening tonight (6-9pm) put on by our friends at I Am Logan Square. Memento is multidisciplinary collaboration between visual artist Ashley Sullivan, dance film artist Nadia Oussenko, and drop shift dance.
Looks very cool!“Explores themes of memory distortion, perception, and recall, translated through the mediums of movement, short film vignettes, and graphic screen print design as well as painting on paper and canvas” as artistic director Andrea Cerniglia describes. Hence, this collaboration gave birth to the name of the exhibit, Memento.
The opening night of the exhibit is on Thursday, December 6th from 6pm to 9pm. Performances will take place and consist of solo and couples dances. Our gallery sponsors D’Noche and Beck’s will provide food and beer. If you haven’t tried D’Noche’s scrumptious croquetas and empanandas, this is your opportunity all while experiencing a dance performance and great ambience with fellow art lovers alike.Pop-up performances will take place throughout the month.
Upcoming Empty Bottle tickets!
Our friends at The Empty Bottle have hooked us up with some more guest list spots to give away! This time we're going to do it a little differently... simply make a purchase at saki - ANY PURCHASE - and take your pick from these shows!
12/18 Peoples Temple, Heavy Times
12/29 Mind Spiders
1/12 Soft Moon, Pillars and Tongues
1/17 Magic Trick, Cairo Gang
1/25 Ava Luna, Summer Girlfriends
2/2 U.S. Girls, Mayor Daley
3/14 Veronica Falls, Cold Showers
These spots do NOT come with a +1 and you can only claim one at a time (limit one per person, per month)
These spots do NOT come with a +1 and you can only claim one at a time (limit one per person, per month)
Wednesday, December 5
A Night Out with Moniker at the Bottle TONIGHT!
Tonight at the Bottle! Look for these fliers and bring them to saki tomorrow for 15% off!
Vinnie the Intern #30: Top 50 Songs of 2012 (30-21)
30. JJ DOOM - "Guv'nor" - Key to the Kuffs
Very different from Madvillainly or the Mouse and the Mask, Key to the Kuffs is Daniel Dumile's newest venture with Jneiro Jarel contains icy electronics and disjointed rhythms which reflect oddly in his delievery. "Guv'nor" bridges the gap between DOOM's old collaborations and the new. Irrelevant references (including an Icelandic volcano) abound which make him the same old DOOM we all know and love.
Very different from Madvillainly or the Mouse and the Mask, Key to the Kuffs is Daniel Dumile's newest venture with Jneiro Jarel contains icy electronics and disjointed rhythms which reflect oddly in his delievery. "Guv'nor" bridges the gap between DOOM's old collaborations and the new. Irrelevant references (including an Icelandic volcano) abound which make him the same old DOOM we all know and love.
29. Hank. - "Peas" - The Venture EP
Mathy and lyrical delivery usually not seen in the genre, make Hank.'s "Peas" and interesting listen. This track is a fast burst of raw energy. Full of breakouts and prime usage of space (notably the "Wooo" in the middle), Hank. are definitely worth checking out this year.
28. Passion Pit - "Constant Conversations" - Gossamer
After hearing the sugary sweet (almost to the point of diabetes) tracks such as "Cuddle Fuddle" and "Sleepyhead," you think that it would be hard to deviate away from the formula and push forward. Behold: "Constant Conversations" which is essentially a slow jam. Featuring smooth piano lines under a bed of warm synths, and the sweet voice of Michael Angelakos.
27. Kanye West - "White Dress" - Man with the Iron Fists OST
Kanye West had a busy year with G.O.O.D Music, but it wasn't as good as it could have been (pun realized, not intended). Where the compilation Cruel Summer showcased some potential future talent, it ultimately was a little more uneven than I would have enjoyed. The standout from Mr. West that stood out the most was "White Dress." No "HUHS?" here. Just straight lyricism as well as masterful production.
26. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Kinski Assassin" - Mature Themes
The opener to Mature Themes blasts onto your speakers immediately with a line similar"Light My Fire." A twisted song about a broken heart where you will be scratching your head trying to keep up with the story of "suicide dumpling dropping testicle bombs" and "blowjobs of death."
25. Dirty Projectors - "While You're Here" - About to Die - EP
This gorgeous and sentimental orchestral piece by David Longstreth and company is absolutely memorable for his sincerity and elasticity of his falsetto. While the track is brief the brevity almost speaks to how life can be over before you know it.
24. Death Grips - "Hunger Games" - NO LOVE DEEP WEB
My favorite NO LOVE DEEP WEB track is an incessant percussive attack with subject matter of paranoia, murder, and schizophrenia. NO LOVE DEEP WEB showcased Death Grips from less instrumentally grandiose and put MC Ride in the forefront and this is the biggest success of that experiment.
23. Titus Andronicus - "In A Big City" - Local Business
"In A Big City" displays the "new" Titus Andronicus. Vocal clarity and harmonization about like never before, but this is not a bad thing. It doesn't sound stale. An anthem for going to a new city and being against the world (taxes, the feeling of being a robot, and "building bombs between beer and blowjobs"). This is the American way as most Titus Andronicus songs capture.
22. Dirty Projectors - "Dance For You" - Swing Lo Magellan
"There is an answer, I haven't found it, but I will keep dancing 'til I do." This could easily be the phrase of the year: positive, catchy, and uplifting. We are all looking for that thing, whatever it may be, and David Longstreth's optimism on what lies ahead could not be more refreshing. The simplicity (when compared to other head scratching Dirty Projectors tracks) was a great addition and adds to the accessibility of Swing Lo Magellan.
21. Joey Bada$$ Feat. Capital STEEZ - "Survival Tactics" - 1999
Opening with sirens and gunshots, you know immediately you're about to hear hostile attack. Brooklyn's Joey Bada$$ and Capital STEEZ represent their group PRO ERA. Some of the greatest wordplay this year is spit rapid fire calling for many listens:"(his)panic like Dora" just to name one. When the beat cuts out to, a couple bars are spit frantically until they are ignited again by gunshots. Containing Wu-Tang boom-bap, intensity, and horn sections, "Survival Tactics" shows us that the spirit of gritty New York hip-hop is still alive.
Opening with sirens and gunshots, you know immediately you're about to hear hostile attack. Brooklyn's Joey Bada$$ and Capital STEEZ represent their group PRO ERA. Some of the greatest wordplay this year is spit rapid fire calling for many listens:"(his)panic like Dora" just to name one. When the beat cuts out to, a couple bars are spit frantically until they are ignited again by gunshots. Containing Wu-Tang boom-bap, intensity, and horn sections, "Survival Tactics" shows us that the spirit of gritty New York hip-hop is still alive.
Tuesday, December 4
Vinnie the Intern #29: Top 50 Songs of 2012 (40-31)
40. The Sea and Cake - "Harps" - Runner
The Sea and Cake have changed up their sound quite a bit from their 1994 self titled album. They are a long way away from ""So Long to the Captain" but the Sea and Cake have shown they like progression. Now electronic-tinged and heavily nostalgic, "Harps" contains airy vocals by Sam Prekop gives it that dream atmosphere.
39. The Men - "Please Don't Go Away" - Open Your Heart
With high intensity blast of harmonized vocals over the sullen phrase "please don't go away,"the hard rock of the Men have kicked their intensity up a notch for this anthem. Not to mention the beautifully distorted leads. Everything falls right into place for this track.
38. Xiu Xiu - "Born to Suffer" - Always
The standout track from Always, "Born to Suffer" is a frail masterpiece right up with the likes of "Sad Pony Guerilla Girl" and "Vulture Piano." The percussion is clanky and synths are even more erratic, yet the oddest quality is how damn catchy it is. This is a statement of pain and suffering that only Jamie Stewart could paint.
The standout track from Always, "Born to Suffer" is a frail masterpiece right up with the likes of "Sad Pony Guerilla Girl" and "Vulture Piano." The percussion is clanky and synths are even more erratic, yet the oddest quality is how damn catchy it is. This is a statement of pain and suffering that only Jamie Stewart could paint.
37. Kendrick Lamar feat. Gunplay- "Cartoon and Cereal" - Cartoon and Cereal - Single
Released almost an entire year before good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar had already set expectations incredibly high with his new project on a major label. Dealing with his upbringing of the safety of his upbringing and the "Wile E. Coyotes" who pull people into the life of the hood. Gunplay is featured on an emotive chorus speaking of his letting out his pain in the booth due to the fact that he could be killed at any minute. "Nobody can mute me, but I never said that nobody can't shoot me."
36. XXYYXX - "About You" - XXYYXX
XXYYXX's "About You" is what is would probably sound as if the Weeknd and James Blake did a collaboration. Its spacey drone, backmasked vocals, and post-dubstep explosion at its climax make it one of the most exhilarating somewhat-instrumentals of the year. The song had also been used by rappers Kami De Chukwu and Brian Fresco. I do not really know anything about them, other than I want to hear more. "Red Rover" uses "About You" to its full potential.
35. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Pink Slime" - Mature Themes
One of the most odd songs of Mature Themes (which is saying something), "Pink Slime" is a falsetto-ladden gem that is fun, bouncy, and full of variety keeping it interesting in it's short two minutes.
34. Earl Sweatshirt - "Chum" - Chum - Single
Earl Sweatshirt's triumphant return under a nice fuzzy bass and piano loop display Earl's new found maturity. He is not the same Earl, which shows his growth as an artist. He speaks about his frustration with the lack of his father being around and how he is "too black from the white kids and too white for the blacks." This caused Earl to act out until he found his "big brother" Tyler, the Creator and influenced him to continue to rap. It is songs like this that shows that we all should be happy they met.
33. Titus Andronicus - "Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape with the Floods of Detritus" -Local Business
A story of an accident on a highway,"Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape with the Floods of Detritus"gets into the mind of angry motorists as they wait to get to work. "Hating which becomes them and their coffee," the story of this lends the idea of the resiliency of the Americans, especially with their "Built to last" chorus.
32. Death Grips - "Pop" - NO LOVE DEEP WEB
As aggressive as NO LOVE DEEP WEB was, "Pop" can be noted as that "quiet (for Death Grips) spot of the record). It's trill-heavy almost orchestral sounding chorus may be the most aurally pleasing section of any song they have released.
Bringing back the glory days of Missy Elliott under an ever-evolving house beat, Azealia shows of her verbal gymnastics. "1991" shows that she did not use up all of her ferocious confidence in the brilliant "212." After a successful EP and mixtape, now we are stuck waiting on her highly anticipated on her first proper full-length.
Geronimo! - Exanimate LP!
Uh, oh! Sold out of Bish Bosch LPs!
We have more on order! They should be here by Thursday. To make up for it we'll most likely extend the new release sale for this item through next week!
Upcoming Schubas/LH shows!
We've got guest list spots for all of these upcoming Schubas and Lincoln Hall shows! Just buy any release from these artists and we'll add you to the list!
Schubas
12/8 Cairo Gang
12/10 Super Minotaur
12/15 Prince Rama
12/27 Fake Limbs
12/28 and 12/29 Waco Brothers
12/30 Maps and Atlases (guest list for 12/31 show is NOT available)
1/6 Breathe Owl Breathe
Lincoln Hall
12/20 The 3-Penny Was Here Punch-Up presents: an 80's Christmas featuring... Die Hard vs Gremlins with live commentary by Joe McAdam, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Matt Drufke and Joe Fernandez! **This show is FREE! saki is co-presenting and helping to produce in conjunction with The Steamroller!**
12/30 Charles Bradley (guest list for 12/31 show is NOT available)
1/10 Radar Eyes, Speck Mountain & Circuit Des Yeux!
1/15 Christopher Owens (formerly of Girls!)
**Guest list for Tomorrow Never Knows shows are NOT available!**
Schubas
12/8 Cairo Gang
12/10 Super Minotaur
12/15 Prince Rama
12/27 Fake Limbs
12/28 and 12/29 Waco Brothers
12/30 Maps and Atlases (guest list for 12/31 show is NOT available)
1/6 Breathe Owl Breathe
Lincoln Hall
12/20 The 3-Penny Was Here Punch-Up presents: an 80's Christmas featuring... Die Hard vs Gremlins with live commentary by Joe McAdam, The Puterbaugh Sisters, Matt Drufke and Joe Fernandez! **This show is FREE! saki is co-presenting and helping to produce in conjunction with The Steamroller!**
12/30 Charles Bradley (guest list for 12/31 show is NOT available)
1/10 Radar Eyes, Speck Mountain & Circuit Des Yeux!
1/15 Christopher Owens (formerly of Girls!)
**Guest list for Tomorrow Never Knows shows are NOT available!**
Braid & Of Montreal @ Metro!!!
The fine folks at Metro have given us two pairs of tickets for the Of Montreal show (Sun 12/9) & for the Braid show on Sunday, December 16th. Just purchase anything at saki, and the pair is yours!!! (1 pair per customer, please.) We'll take the blog post down when they've been claimed. Thanks!!!
***the Of Montreal tickets have been claimed!***
saki weekly newsletter 12/4!
Hey, friends! We'd like to thank Joe McAdam, Powell Brew House, and all the comics and friends who came out for Creative Control this past Friday. The last Friday of the month is ALWAYS a good time at saki! This weekend we've got two Epitonic saki Sessions - Saturday with locals Gnarwaals and Good Wives and Sunday with cross-country "It" kids, Foxygen and Chicago chanteuse, Angel Olsen! We are beyond excited for this string of shows. We hope you are too!
Before all that goes down, we're presenting a few shows at your favorite local venues this week. Tomorrow night (Wednesday) at the Empty Bottle we're sponsoring A Night Out With Moniker Records. You can check out the killer lineup below and make sure you grab a saki coupon at the door! Thursday night we're co-presenting an Orindal Records showcase at The Burlington with Advance Base, Julie Byrne and J. Fernandez! If you purchase any of their releases from saki we will put you on the guest list for the show with one free drink ticket courtesy of The Burlington!
Next weekend we've got the opening reception for this month's artist, Ethan D'Ercole (gig poster designer and member of Mannequin Men and Watchers) and our saki Christmas party, A Very Girl Group Christmas feat. Kitchen Hips and Summer Girlfriends with special guest, Phil Spector! More details on all that stuff and all of this week's new releases (including our weekly new release sale) below!
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, December 5th @ 9pm
A Night Out With Moniker Records at The Empty Bottle feat. Jealousy, Stacian, The Hecks, Lazy & a special collaborative set by ONO & John Bellows!!
Sponsored by saki & Permanent Records! Grab saki discount coupons at the door!
Before all that goes down, we're presenting a few shows at your favorite local venues this week. Tomorrow night (Wednesday) at the Empty Bottle we're sponsoring A Night Out With Moniker Records. You can check out the killer lineup below and make sure you grab a saki coupon at the door! Thursday night we're co-presenting an Orindal Records showcase at The Burlington with Advance Base, Julie Byrne and J. Fernandez! If you purchase any of their releases from saki we will put you on the guest list for the show with one free drink ticket courtesy of The Burlington!
Next weekend we've got the opening reception for this month's artist, Ethan D'Ercole (gig poster designer and member of Mannequin Men and Watchers) and our saki Christmas party, A Very Girl Group Christmas feat. Kitchen Hips and Summer Girlfriends with special guest, Phil Spector! More details on all that stuff and all of this week's new releases (including our weekly new release sale) below!
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, December 5th @ 9pm
A Night Out With Moniker Records at The Empty Bottle feat. Jealousy, Stacian, The Hecks, Lazy & a special collaborative set by ONO & John Bellows!!
Sponsored by saki & Permanent Records! Grab saki discount coupons at the door!
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