The holidays are less than two weeks away, and chances are your 401K is down, your job seems less secure, and you are looking for things to cut. Still, there are at least a few gifts that you just HAVE to buy. Soundcheck comes to your rescue with a musical gift-guide to the recession. Here with some ideas are Amanda Petrusich, staff writer at Pitchfork Media and a pop music critic at the New York Times and Joe Levy, editor in chief at Blender magazine.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer wants your music gift ideas: "Don't be a grinch!"
Tell us: What music-themed gift are you giving this year? What's on your wish list?
Gift guide for music fans: Suggestions under $50
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer wants your music gift ideas: "Don't be a grinch!"
Tell us: What music-themed gift are you giving this year? What's on your wish list?
Gift guide for music fans: Suggestions under $50
Comments [8]
I love getting music as a present. I will be very sad when my wife runs out of lavish Miles Davis box sets to pick out for me! And I also agree with Jeffrey Slott above - gift certificates are great for music junkies. Unless you are married to someone, it can be hard to be sure they don't already have something...
This year was a great year for music. My brother-in-law is always fascinated by what I'm listening to so I'm giving him:
Fleet Foxes
Death Magnetic by Metallica
You & Me by The Walkmen
Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Not a box set but a good sampling of some of 2008's winners. And buying all four on Amazon added up to about $50.
P.S. If I were a musician and heard the value that "Sal" from L.I. placed on music I would fervently hope he was not a fan of my work! Just because something is easy to steal and the music industry has not figured out how to deal with Peer-to-Peer sharing, doesn't make it right to illegally download music!
The Encyclopedia of Punk by Brian Cogan. It is a beautifully designed, witty and comprehensive reference guide to punk past and present. Plus, the author is a Brooklynite so you're supporting a local writer. I believe it retails for $25.99 at local bookstores. I bought four during the booksigning for two generations of punk music afficianados.
Stevie Wonder "At the Close of a Century" box set. The major advantage of this one is that no one dislikes his music, and as an incredibly prolific artist there's such a variety that you can listen through the entire collection over and over. It's great music combined with great nostalgia as it takes you from his earliest work right through the turn of the century.
Definitely would be my "one record on a desert island" pick!
I'm getting my parents the +2 CDs (Moreno + 2, Kassin + 2). I bought the tracks on the internet, I'm going to burn them to CDs and make my own CD labels for them in Photoshop. It's pretty inexpensive, I don't have to venture to the mall or wait for shipping, and I can personalize it for them.
For the obscure, vinyl loving person on your list, the Flaming Lips have for sale the single from Christmas on Mars on vinyl picture disc for under $10!!
Alternately you can also get the $40.00 Christmas on Mars box set with following groovy items:
- Christmas on Mars DVD
- Christmas on Mars CD featuring the film's score
- Exclusive Christmas on Mars t-Shirt
- Collectible Christmas on Mars movie ticket
- Trading Card Set featuring Christmas on Mars character still shots
- Eat Your Own Spaceship sticker
- Eat Your Own Spaceship popcorn box
I have a friend who's a musician and playing live next week. I thought a good way to support them is to both attend the show and give one of their cd's as a gift. It supports their music and shares a part of my life with a loved one.
A harmonica. It isn't all that expensive and is something that a person can always take with them. It also can be an enjoyable experience to learn.
As an avid music fan for almost 50 years, I would prefer a gift certificate to J&R or to Amazon. Yes, I know some may consider it a thoughtless gift but believe me, musicians on your list know better what they want than anyone else does.
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