Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Digital Edition Drops Today

Granted, if you really wanted it, you probably already pilfered by some other means. Nonetheless, we figured we'd give you a reminder that Phoenix's latest record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix made it's digital release today, and is available for consumption via iTunes. The physical release drops in two weeks, so if that's your preference, then you'll just have to wait.

Either way, we can't recommend it highly enough - it's stupendous. Go get 'em kids - time's a wastin'!

mp3: Phoenix - Lizstomania

Oasis Release Noel Solo Acoustic Gig Via iTunes

Picture from the HAD Archive

We're generally skeptical of the iTunes DRM-encased monolithic ridiculousness, but there are times when we make exceptions. Specifically, when iTunes has something we can't get anywhere else, and we want it really, really, badly. Case in point: The new Oasis live record Dreams We Have As Children.

You may recall that a while back we mentioned the disc was being given away in UK papers. We were a tad jealous, to say the least. Well now the band has done the rest of the world a solid, and made the disc available via iTunes. Granted, you have to pay $11.99 to snag it, but the upside is a 16-track album that looks to kick some massive ass.

Specifically, it's a Noel-fronted solo acoustic show that's got something for everyone. B-sides, the hits, new songs, old songs. In short, it's killer. For even sometimes-fans, we gotta say this is gold. And, for those haters out there (you know who you are), it still might be worth checking out: Oasis songs take on a totally different quality with Noel singing, and in our opinion, a better one. You may find yourself digging it more than you think.

Oasis - Dreams We Have As Children Tracklist
1. (It's Good) To Be Free
2. Talk Tonight
3. Fade Away
4. Cast No Shadow
5. Half The World Away
6. The Importance of Being Idle
7. The Butterfly Collector
8. All You Need Is Love
9. Don't Go Away
10. Listen Up
11. Sad Song
12. Wonderwall
13. Slide Away
14. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
15. Don't Look Back In Anger
16. Married With Children

Even More EELS: Soundtrack To Parallel Worlds

After we hit you with a deluge of EELS news the other day, you may have noticed that a commenter mentioned the PBS Nova episode on Mark Oliver Everett and his father, who was a scientist of some renown. The episode, entitled Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives, is a focus on E's quest to find and better understand his father via his scientific theories.

We haven't seen the episode yet, but apparently the soundtrack is all new EELS material. What's even better, you don't have to sit around and record an audio feed off the television, because you can download the soundtrack from itunes! If you want to watch the actual program, this week only you can watch it on-line. If that's not working for you, you can order the DVD from PBS, or watch the encore presentation this Saturday at 10 PM on KQED's "Life" HD Channel - that's channel 54.3 over-the-air, kids. We don't do cable.

Contest: Wilco's I Am Trying To Break Your Heart On iTunes

The good folks over at New Video just informed us that the 2001 Wilco documentary IAm Trying To Break Your Heart is now available for download on iTunes. For those not familiar, the film is an awesome black and white journey through a tumultuous year for Wilco that included the creation of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The film is truly a masterpiece, and we can say in all honesty that it's our favorite rock documentary of all time.

Now for the fun stuff: New Video has given us two free copies of the iTunes version to offer up in a contest, so here are the rules: First off, you have to be in the US, since this is for the US iTunes store only. Second, you must email us with your iTunes email address, since we need to credit the proper account. Third, you must send us an email (contests@hippiesaredead.com) by the end of next week answering the following question: Wilco is known for a frequently rotating cast of members through the years; Name five previous members of Wilco who are no longer with the band. And finally, fourth: one entry per person - multiple entries will be disqualified!

The contest closes at midnight on September 12th, at which point two winners will be chosen at random. Good luck!