Stephen Mejias

Boston Acoustics A Series loudspeakers&#151on the beach, which is where I'd like to be right now.

Is it just me or are we really experiencing the beginnings of a new stereo renaissance, a return to dedicated, high-quality, two-channel sound? Could it be that the home theater sector has become almost entirely commoditized so that little besides cost and availability are important to the consumer? In an age when craftsmanship and dedication have become clouded by convenience and fashion, hi-fi&#151good, old-fashioned, two-channel hi-fi&#151symbolizes the importance of quality experiences and a more meaningful life. But that’s just my opinion.

Today is Ornette Coleman's 81st birthday, and we can celebrate with smiles, thanks, and The Shape of Jazz to Come.

Tune in to Columbia University's WKCR for a full day of Coleman's work as the station celebrates "innovation, relentless individualism, and commitment to artistic freedom." Right on. You might also enjoy Matthew Ditullo's excellent "This Shape of Jazz" blog, where Ditullo thinks about jazz, blues, and beer.

Erick Lichte knows what I like. He e-mailed me earlier today:

Check this out. This is what happens when you play ambient music over the LAPD scanner feed.

It is surprisingly beautiful. I would totally buy it on vinyl.

I ignored my own advice and did not attend Sunday’s Collect-i-Bowl record show at Brooklyn Bowl. (Robert Baird was there, though, and says it was a great and delicious time.) I did, however, attend Saturday’s Record Riot in Jersey City, sponsored in part by Steve Gritzan of Jersey City’s own vinyl speakeasy, Iris Records. Because I’ve been spending so much money on records lately, I told myself that I would not spend more than $20. Well, you know how it goes: $20 soon became $40, and so on.

I know it's stupid of me, but I can't avoid feeling that, through a simple shared experience, I know these girls. So, when I see this video, I can only smile and feel proud.

Because, like a good fan, I pre-ordered the Vivian Girls' new album, Share the Joy, I can download the entire thing in MP3 form (320kbps, DRM-free) right now. And that is what I'm going to do.

I was immediately impressed by the provocative photography, at once gorgeous and painful. I could not resist it. The cover image first appeared in the New York Times and was taken by Damon Winter, on assignment in Haiti. Three of Winter’s photos are included in Bonnie “Prince” Billy and the Cairo Gang’s latest release&#151a 10-inch single, “Island Brothers” b/w “New Wonder”&#151and they complement the music perfectly.

The Isle of Wight-based company, Artisan Silver Cables, has launched a new brand, Giant-Killer Cables, “a range of painstakingly handcrafted audiophile-quality OFC and silver-plated OFC cables at exceptionally reasonable prices.” There are currently two options available&#151the Ultra-Pure interconnect starts at £49/0.5m pair, while the Quad-Core Silver interconnect starts at £99/0.5m pair&#151but the company plans to also offer HDMI and USB cables.