Here are some links to some recommended free music.

I found them through Salon’s Audiofile column which concentrates on free samples of mostly indie stuff. I almost never agree with the Thomas Bartlett, the writer’s, opinions and I hate much of his writing (particularly odious was his review of the Interpol Radio City show). But it’s a useful source of free new stuff.

First recommendation: “Reflections after Jane“, Clientele. I tend to dislike things that are just period pieces, and this is so very soaked in 60’s Britain (or worse, 80’s Britain imitating 60’s Britain) that it’s almost a little too cute. But it’s really good at capturing a certain mood that I think is a little more timeless than just a set of musical influences. And I can’t get it out of my head. My brain consistently confounds “Clinic” and “Clientele“, and I’ve never cared enough to try too hard; maybe I’ll be able to keep them straight now.

Second recommendation: “Train from Kansas City“, Neko Case. I’m not a full-time Neko Case fan, though Terri will verify that I have been known to belt out The New Pornographers’ “Letter From An Occupant” at frightening volume in the car. I like this, though. I like the Wall of Sound production, I like how the song itself is like one of those 70’s country story songs.

From the Globe:

Its creators saw it as a bright, well-intentioned idea. An antilittering campaign designed for East Boston’s heavily immigrant population: Amusing street mimes, transcending language barriers, would perform in public spaces, grab residents’ attention, and help persuade them to stop dropping trash on neighborhood streets.

I just don’t know where to begin. I guess the thing that makes me laugh the hardest is that the reporter is really being way too generous here. Who could possibly have thought this was a bright, well-intentioned idea? Who could possibly have thought “It’s kind of messy here. Should we pay some people to clean it up? Buy some new spiffy trash cans? Enforce some littering fines? Nah, let’s call in the mimes!”

The press lives!

Well, sort of. I had to fake it. I’ve still not been able to either buy new rollers or re-cover my existing (but moldy (ick) and deteriorated) rollers. So I bought a hand brayer and used that to ink the type. I just made a dumb little test thing, but I’m happy with the result. It looks like a Chance card from Monopoly.

This May Day marked the second anniversary of our home ownership. Amy made us a fabulous dinner. (Happy Birthday, A). I almost, almost got something actually printed on the press. The Sox won.

I think that is all.

Here’s The Crimson’s story.

Looks like some other bloggers saw the limo fire I mentioned yesterday, but nobody seems to have found out what actually happened.

I’m not ready to form a conspiracy theory yet, because generally fires and car accidents aren’t news. It was a weird fire, though.