Some excellent things:
The blank slate by Stephen Pinker. Everyone should read this book. Not only is it a clear guide to the current thinking on genetic influence on our lives but explains clearly why human rights and policies should transcend these issues.
English psychedelia - early Pink Floyd, Roy Harper (particularly "When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease"), Syd Barrett, Van Der Graaf Generator,Giles, Giles and Fripp, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, XTC's take on the whole thing (most noticeably on the Dukes of Stratosphere releases) and others. (adopts Homer Simpson voice) Ahh Nostalgia [...dribble].
Some new things - Alva Noto, Atom Heart, Bola,Sleepy Town Manufacture, Stephan Mathieu,
The Phoenix Browser. I no longer use Internet Explorer - Phoenix is so much nicer. Tabbed browsing is the future. The keyword searches and popblocking are also invaluable.
The Fith Element This is just so cool. I watched it again the other night. Wonderful.
Invisible Cities Take some time to explore these sound works. Each one is an artists personal "take" on a city that they live in. My favourite is the Berlin one - Stephan Mathieu clipped his microphone to his umbrella and went walking in the rain - simple,beautiful and full of space. The london one is quite cool too - Janek Schaefer sent a voice activated dicataphone through the post....
The track Growing Up from the new Peter Gabriel album Up.
15 Storeys High this started off on radio 4 but it works even better on TV - full of just slightly odd characters and events its a celebration of the weirdness of normality. Its also hillarious. My favourtite of all recent comedy - League of Gentlemen and Alan Partridge included.
Posted by Mark at December 12, 2002 05:11 PM