Gifts for Music Lovers

It's less than a week until Christmas, and you still can't figure out what to get for the fussy music lover in your life? Here are a few hopefully helpful tips....

For the synth-lover: Stylophone


Called the "retro pocket synth", not only can it emulate synth-like sounds and fit in your messenger bag, but it's also affordable. Buy it at Think Geek for $19.99. I also saw stacks of them at Fopp Record Shops in the UK for £15.

For the Psychedelic Pop fan: Singapore Sling's latest album



Friends with BJM headmaster, Anton Newcombe (Fjordson), Iceland natives Singpore Sling's previously hard-to-find latest album, Perversity, Deception and Death is finally available on amazon.com for the not too scary price of $22. If you still can't decide if the album is the perfect gift or not, check out one of the tracks (and my personal favourite on the album), the icy "Godman":



For the Indie Rock lover: Indie Rock Colouring Book



Be a grown-up kid with colouring the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rilo Kiley and Bloc Party. I asked for this for Christmas, but have heard since then that while it's a nice idea, it's only consists of a few pages. Still, if you fancy this, Buy it for $9.95 at Fredflare.com

With a little more dosh, and if they live in America, get them a 2-year subscription to The Big Takeover magazine for $20. You can ask them to rush the subscription in time for Christmas.


For the Manic Street Preachers fan: Jenny Saville Art Book



One item I would recommend for a Manics fan is a book of paintings by Jenny Saville, who is responsible for the artwork of 1994's The Holy Bible and 2009's Journal for Plague Lovers. I own this book and think it's brilliant, so even though the $31.50 price tag might be a bit high, it is definitely worth the money. Buy it from amazon.com

Cheaper items include Patrick Jones's new CD (Nicky Wire's brother) which features Nicky Wire, James Dean Bradfield, Billy Bragg, et al. for £5 or Gustav Klimt Stickers for $1.50 at amazon. One of my friends gave some to Nicky Wire and he used one for a a recent Manics letter. Bless.

and for those Super Furry Animals fans: The Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island



This new CD compilation by Pete Fowler (who is responsible for the majority of SFA's album artwork) features Gruff Rhys and is full of "musical treats that make perfect sense". Buy this for a tenner and find much more of Pete's works at his shop.

For the Goth (and/or Mighty Boosh fan): Goth Juice



Vince Noir made "Goth Juice" a popular name in hair-care products, and Lush delivers the product itself. Apparently it makes your hair sleek and gives a nice hold. Buy here or at Lush stores for $15.65 or £6.85 at the UK shops.


Hope that helps .....good luck!

& Happy Holidays. x