Everything's Gone Green

Odds ands ends for this Sunday afternoon - I've been under the weather as of late and haven't felt much like going to shows in any case but that'll change in December.

So I got all excited about the recent New Order Factory-era double-disc reissues and picked up 4 of the 5 albums (with "Technique" the only one I haven't decided on) but it does come as a surprise about the print errors and audio glitches that diehard fans have found throughout them. There's a message board thread that details the 300 errors and counting fans have so far found and while I've only had a chance to listen to the bonus disc of "Movement" (I love the 7" mix of 'Temptation' btw) I haven't perceived the audio pops that the message board thread indicates on some songs (but then I'm listening to the CD through crappy computer speakers). Pitchfork reports that that the grievances have reached back to the New Order camp, both the band and the record labels (Rhino and Warner Bros. UK), and that they're now in the process of correcting the problems, so for the moment hold on to those CD's until that time that a replacement procedure is in effect. Or as the Pitchfork writer writes, perhaps these inferior versions might become ultra-rare and be worth something someday.

Matt Pond PA has been MIA recently but recently have announced they'll be releasing a free EP(digital?) next week cheekily entitled "The Freeep". They've also recorded a song for the Guilt By Association Vol. 2 Compilation - it's a cover of My Chemical Romance's 'I'm Not Okay' - the song is available now on iTunes and the physical CD will be released February 17; you can also stream the song here. Via Alternative Press.

Grab a free digital 7-song sampler of Mint Records artists over at eMusic (registration required). Via Mint Records.

Good-bye to Hannah Simone (as she leaves for greener pastures), probably my favourite of all the MuchMusic on-air personalities right now if only because she hosted The NewMusic.

Tickets just in at Soundscapes for the two-night D'Urbervilles stint at Tiger Bar on December 12 and 13, tickets $8. Rounding off the bill the first night will be Katie Stelmanis and Mantler with Bocce and Slow Hand Motem rounding off the second night.

A little Broken Social Scene-ster action takes over The Dakota Tavern in December with Jason Collett setting up a residency(dubbed a Basement Revue) on December 2, 16, 23, and 30. Kevin Drew takes his turn once(lazy bum) on December 9. Tickets for each show are $15, via Soundscapes.

Opening for many of Lykke Li's upcoming dates (including the Feb 6/09 date at the Phoenix in Toronto) will be fellow Swedes Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Via The Windish Agency.

And just a few words regarding the print format - anyone know why the winter edition of Magnet Magazine isn't out yet? Also the most recent print issue(Dec 2008) of Spin has a good interview and history of Echo and The Bunnymen that does indicate the band's working on a new album. I've been delving into their back catalogue with more interest and am wondering if their later output is any good ("Evergreen" & "Siberia" I've read are decent).