HIGH END Munich 2019
High End Munich 2019, Here We Come!
My Axpona laundry is nearly done, most of the Schaumburg has worn off the souls of my shoes, and my bag is unpacked and ready to be re-packed for the big trip over an ocean and a sea.
Month: April 2019
Music News
“Hello Sunshine” Bruce is Back
I have a confession to make.
Art&Culture
Marred for Life!: Defaced Record Covers from the Collection of Greg Wooten
What’s not to love. A picture book reproducing over 250 defaced, or is that re-faced?, record covers from the collection of Greg Wooten.
Music News
Music News: Trout Mask Replica 2xLP Reissue! (!!!)
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band created a double LP of pure Magic with their 1969 release Trout Mask Replica. By my estimation, it is one of my favorite records. But don’t just take my word for it.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: April 26, 2019
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream.com columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Sly & The Family Drone
I hear a big dollop of Machine Gun. A Brötzmann attack served up by James Allsop’s baritone saxophone with pounding percussion as its main foil and electronic crush to fill in the blanks. There is nothing gentle about the band’s new record Gentle Persuaders just […]
HIGH END Munich 2019
High End Munich 2019: The Official Trailer
Sticking with our multi-media theme, here’s the official trailer for High End Munich 2019. The show opens May 9 and runs through the 12th and is chock full O sights and sounds and people. Shiny, happy, people.
Art&Culture
Artists’ Books: Spew, Room-2
spewedition is a publishing collective comprised of Japanese photographers/artists Daisuke Yokota, Naohiro Utagawa, and Koji Kitagawa. They publish the kind of thing I most enjoy—multimedia extravaganzas to have and hold and hear.
Music News
Music News: Flying Lotus’ “Fire Is Coming” Video w/David Lynch
While we’re talking cinematic songs, ahead of his new album Flamagra, Flying Lotus has released a few singles/videos, the first, “Fire Is Coming”, features David Lynch as the William Burroughs surrogate for the odd man with a distinctive voice.
In Barn for Review
In Barn: Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speakers
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speakers ($599/pair).
Music News
Music News: FKA twigs Returns
We haven’t heard much from FKA twigs since 2005’s stunning M3LL155X. She’s back.
Classic Albums
Classic Albums: Giacinto Scelsi, Natura Renovatur
Of all the personal discoveries made during my multi-year quest through the Tower Records Contemporary Classical department, two composers stand out from the rest: Morton Feldman and Giacinto Scelsi. If I saw something new from either, it was mine and I’d rush back to my […]
HiFi News
TM Reviewer: Steve Plaskin
Editor: Please join me in welcoming Steve Plaskin (back) to our review team. As you may know, Steve and I worked together at AudioStream for 6 years, making this a welcome reunion.
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: Photo Gallery
Smoke ’em if you got ’em. I snapped 455 photos during 3 days at Axpona 2019 (plus some Polaroids). You’ve already seen a bunch. Here are some more. I’m visually oriented so I care about how things look. YMMV.
Music News
4AD Gave Us Some FLAC!
Thank you, 4AD.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: April 19, 2019
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream.com columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Aldous Harding (live!)
After Axpona ended at 4:00PM on Sunday, I went to the hotel bar to say my farewells. I arrived at 4:45 because I spent some extra time listening to music with Michael Vamos and talking to friends along the way including my former boss, Keith […]
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: The Wrap
More so than any other show, I need to apologize. We all know hifi shows can be big, really big, but there’s really no excuse for missing important things. And I missed a bunch. My excuse? I don’t have one. Besides, I don’t like excuses, […]
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: My Favorite Things
“You’re the best!” When you hear that being said, you know it’s typically meant to come with a pinch of sarcasm. If not, it implies the bestower of said gift is in a position to know what’s best. For everyone.
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: Sweet Speakers
Speakers live with us in a more obvious manner than other hardware. Speakers, especially loud speakers, live in-room and stand out as objet d’art (ideally). Which is all to say with speakers, looks matter.
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: Hot Hardware
Following are a few thousand words on hardware from Axpona 2019 (if the old saying holds any water).
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: Analog Analog Everywhere!
The simple act of removing a record from its sleeve, placing it on a turntable, queuing it up, and giving it quick brush off takes time. I like to call that time a ritual—a few moments of reflection and concentration before the event. A prequel. […]
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: Day 1 In Pictures (Love Affairs)
These are a few of my favorite things.
Axpona 2019
Axpona 2019: And So It Begins
The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois is a big place. Axpona 2019 fills up a lot of that space. It’s a big show.
HiFi Reviews
Review: KEF LS50 Wireless Nocturne Edition Active Speakers
I know a guy who lives under a rock and he knows all about the KEF LS50.
#NewMusicFriday
#NewMusicFriday: April 12, 2019
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream.com columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen.
Music News
Icing On The Axpona Cake
I always wanted to do this but I never got around to actually doing it. Well, all that’s changed because I just did it.
Axpona 2019
Luxman’s New NeoClassico Kit
Confession time—I have a thing for Luxman. Call it Lustman.
Art&Culture
Big Movie News: The Criterion Collection Is Back!
I wept when FilmStruck failed. I cried a thousand tears for lost access to Bergman, Tarkovsky, Fassbinder, Fellini, Agnès Varda, Kurosawa, Andrzej Wajda, Chris Marker, Alain Resnais, Fritz Lang and so, so many more. Well, I weep mo more.
Axpona 2019
What’s New At Axpona 2019 Part 2
The hits keep comin’. Here are some more product debuts at Axpona 2019.