Dusty Chalk

Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus is/are still my favourites, by a long shot. First of theirs that I absolutely loved from start to finish; before that, I was only a haphazard fan. I do still appreciate their other work, but these two just do it for me like nothing else they've done. EDIT: And of course they're not on Tidal, so I'm listening to Time Out and Anniemal.

Right, all three. And thanks! I'll be in touch, figure out the best way for me to meet you for it. I'll bring beer.

I was looking at these, and I realized I finally figured out exactly what I want -- I want a vertical messenger bag that can also work as a backpack (I.E. with backpack handles)...or a backpack that also has a handle on top (for the short, briefcase carries), and a strap (as a proper messenger bag or satchel). Something like this. Is there anything that just stands out as the obvious choice, here? Is Saddleback a good company, should I go ahead and just get that one? (I've been having shoulder problems -- probably a barb or whatever they're called -- so carrying it satchel-wise for any distance at all is starting to become problematic, with a laptop, and two heavy books. I didn't even bring the books in today.)

The Demon's Rook -- started, couldn't finish.

Stumbled upon this discussion. "Is there a word which means "possessing a large gravity well/exerting much gravity"?" "There is nothing wrong with compact massive object. Physicists use it. – Peter Shor 13 hours ago " "Yes, there is. They're unsafe is what's wrong with them. Don't go near them. – John Lawler 13 hours ago" Cue: Yo mama so gravid jokes...

Eels fans!

Breeder cooties! Hrm...

That's better than the best price I've seen by almost US$100.

If so...oh well, it was good while it lasted. Agree.

Finished Marvel's Daredevil over the weekend -- my opinion of it does not waver, it's fantastic...even Wilson Fisk staring at a wall -- what other show could make that mean so much; caught up on Broadchurch season 2 -- bastids! I think they even changed the mix on the closing song (in s02e07), it's less minimal/more...wall-of-sound than previous versions. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Love the way they're contrasting the Millers with the Latimers, and the way the relationship between Ellie and Beth has evolved.

From Fasciabook, a quote from Ben Templesmith: Oh United. You're the Shia Lebeouf of airlines.

If you listen very carefully, he says, "ping" every once in a while while he was running.

I think I'd have an aneurysm if my guys at the rw&b (post office) did that to something of mine. Or go postal. Or go postal then have an aneurysm. Jesus, there's someone I haven't seen in a long time. How ya been?

What about the ATH-MSR7? That's on InnerFidelity's Wall of Fame. Also comes in a nice flamboyant pink -- no-one would dare steal those, neh? Although i'd probably get the gun-metal gray, just to avoid becoming too stereotypical.

I actually like the way they've been interspersing the drama with action...or the action with drama. But yeah, the henchmen are typical henchmen -- they can shoot 12 rounds and miss every time, but he clocks them with a gun clip once and they're unconscious.

I'm tempted to give the Sony MDR-Z7s a shot -- they keep showing up on the front page of Kuboten. How imposing do they look? I mean, I'd stick with the VTGs for the sound, but they just look expensive, with the wood and the grain and the shiny and the gloss. And how well do they isolate (the Sony, that is)? Anyone want to pick their most isolating? For me it's the Leatherhead and the DT770...nothing else -- short of an IEM -- comes close. Okay, maybe the Smeggy-ized Thunderpantses. But again, looks expensive. (wanders off to look stuff up on InnerFidelity page) I mean, look how quickly the DT770 drops of -- -10db by 300 Hz, am I reading that right?

Cheers! You know what else sounds surprisingly good on real, full-range speakers, considering it comes from YouTube? This:

That's one I need to get around to -- I remember the trailer from before it started which immediately intrigued me, and lately (within the last year or so), Alicia Witt's been posting about it because she plays a small character in it (and I kind of <3 her). Me: been watching Marvel's Daredevil, which is fucking spectacular. If you need to be convinced, just watch the last 5 minutes of episode 2 (not literally the last 5 minutes, but the last 5 minutes from the beginning of the end credits). It's almost laughable how low-rent it is -- actors falling out of frame, only sound effects to indicate what is going on, obviously swapping the actors and whatnot. And the obvious homage to the infamous Old Boy fight scene down a corridor. But also an homage to Scooby-Doo/Marx Brothers/Three Stooges -- you know the one I mean, where people are coming in one door, and out another, usually a montage with a musical number -- but riding right up against that line of not being funny funny. I giggled, but not with mirth, but with glee. Oh, and it's one long shot -- for realsies. But ... I don't care how low rent it is. Total buy-in. It's exactly what I want to see.

I've been binging on Archive live concerts on YouTube, I think they've surpassed Anathema as my favourite of "that" kind of music, whatever "that" is. Example: Right now taking a detour for a London Grammar concert:

Pineapple Teriyaki chicken meatballs with Sambal Oelek as a dipping sauce

Phrasing!

Damn, there are too many choices in this thread. Nate says the ATH-M50x or the MH40. Jacob says the P5 or the P5 S2. Oppo has the PM-3. Audeze has an EL-8. Sony has the MDR-7520 or the MDR-Z7. Beyerdynamic have the T5p, the T70p, and the T70 (as well as the usual suspect: DT770). I'm tempted to replace the ATH-A900x (as I think I got its predecessor way back when, whose sound I remember liking -- that's the one I really want), or its little sibling, the ATH-A500x. Do any of these isolate poorly for a closed headphone? My VTGs don't quite fit, so don't isolate perfectly, and I think the stuffing may have fallen down, because I can even hear through the wood (seems like) -- perhaps I should just open them up and restuff? I really don't feel comfortable bringing anything to the office worth much more than US$200 or so (maybe US$300, tops), so the VTG is just a temporary measure. And the DT880s just don't isolate enough, neither. And it gets pretty warm here -- are any of these pleather? I should probably avoid those. The DT880s are good, comfy phones. Maybe I should go back to the DT770s?

You maniac, you took measurements and everything!

I kind of dig Jean-Pierre Rampal (collaborator with Claude Bolling), but that's because memories/nostalgia/personal reasons. But I love that tune, one of my all-time favourite standards; one of these days I'm going to arrange a medley of Sunny/Windy/Spooky (the predicate adjectives trilogy?). Or maybe it'll go Spooky/Windy/Sunny. I don't know.

I'm just glad that my Blur box set wasn't called "The Compleat albums collection" or somesuch.