Dark Night of the Soul
<i>Pain: I guess it's a matter of sensation</i>
Stephen Mejias
Continue Reading »
Now on Newsstands: Stereophile, Vol.32 No.6
The June 2009 issue of <i>Stereophile</i> is now on newsstands. At first, I was against the green border and font for the front cover, favoring <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/in_shades_of_orange/">a red and orange motif</a> instead, but I now think the green treatment looks excellent. It is appropriate for spring, and the Klipsch Palladium P-39F loudspeaker seems to leap right from the page. Like a (really freaking) gigantic squirrel leaping from the branch of a blossoming tree.
In Shades of Orange
This was my initial choice of cover motif for our June 2009 issue. We were concerned that these colors, however, would appear too similar to those used for <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/now_on_newsstands_stereophile… May issue</a>. One goal in designing a cover is to make it look as different as possible from the cover preceding it. So that buyers don't get confused, or something, I guess. While I understand the point, I must say that the Klipsch Palladium P-39F loudspeaker looks nothing like <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/turntables/sme_model_2012_turntable_312s_ton… SME 20/12 turntable</a>.
Audio Round-Up in Colorado Springs
Koetsu USA, the US distributor for the $15,000 Koetsu Coralstone Platinum Mono reviewed by Michael Fremer in our May 2009 issue, has announced that several of its products will be demonstrated during a special "Audio Round-Up," hosted by Audio Limits in Colorado Springs. This free, two-day event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, and is open to the public.
Silver Rocket
I'm telling you: Matador's <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/buy_early_get_now_sonic_youth… Early Get Now</a> plan is the gift that keeps on giving. First of all, I've been streaming <i>The Eternal</i> every day for the last couple of weeks. It's great. Then, with the pre-sale ticket offer, I scooped up four seats (Orchestra, Row C) for Sonic Youth's July 3 performance at the United Palace Theater in Manhattan. Now, I'm freaking out to this shredding, blazing train wreck of "Silver Rocket" from last year's Fourth of July River to River Festival held at Battery Park. I wasn't there.
Where the Bad Word Would Be
While putting together yesterday's entry, I stumbled upon this video of Mike Bones performing a version of Grinderman's excellent "No Pussy Blues." This was back in the summer of 2007, during a music festival in New York City's East River Park. I wasn't there.
A Fool for Everyone
Though he, like many others, moved to New York City as soon as he could, Mike Bones is <i>from</i> New Jersey. Bloomfield, or Belleville, or maybe Bayonne. Somewhere around there—somewhere not far from a good view of the Manhattan skyline. You can hear it in his lyrics. Only a boy from New Jersey could write and sing a song called "Today the World Is Worthy of My Loathing."
Distance, Time, and Communication
At around eleven o'clock this morning, I was ready for a beer.
Michael Fremer Boings Back
Michael Fremer, <i>Stereophile</i>'s senior contributing editor, has been everywhere lately. First he was <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/gizmodo_hearts_audiophiles/">…;, then he got <a href="http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/04/15/gizmodo-audiophile.html">Boing…;, and now <a href="http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/05/06/on-being-gizmodoed-b.html">he's boinging back</a>.
Spring Fever at Stereo Exchange
Wednesday's Spring Fever event at Stereo Exchange was outstanding, and exactly the kind of thing our little high end hi-fi hobby needs. To celebrate the Exchange's 25th anniversary, store owner Dave Wasserman opened his doors, somewhat timidly, to a large crowd of enthusiastic music lovers.