Oblivion With Bells

For those of you who know me, you might enjoy this: Underworld's newest album, Oblivion with Bells, is now available for preorder in the US. The album comes out on October 13th, and should reach customers by the 16th. You have the option of getting a special T-shirt with OWB, and either way, you can also download two versions of the first OWB single, "Crocodile."

If you don't know Underworld, let me explain a little about them. Although they started as a rather bad synthpop/new wave band back in the 80s, they cleaned up their act in the 90s and became the best electronic group in existence. While other electronic music (which I'll call "techno," inaccurately, as shorthand) can be fun to listen to, it quickly gets old. Underworld not only has evolved significantly in the last 15 or so years, but their music has always been so much richer than anything else I've heard. They became famous because of "Born Slippy NUXX," which is definitely a "club" song, and really does no justice to the true Underworld style. Once you get to know them, Underworld will keep you engrossed day after day. Hell, within two years, I went from occasional listener to fanatic; I recently bought a rare single on vinyl for $120. If you like electronic music, but miss the depth of other forms, I recommend Underworld.

What does Underworld have to do with my writing? A whole lot. You see, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, the two lasting members of Underworld, create true art. I say "true" because they make music, sure, but they do it for themselves. I can really feel their enjoyment of art and life when I listen to their music. It inspires me. Underworld is the only example of this phenomenon that I've found so far. They show me that it is possible to make a living creating something as useless as art. So, in return, I support them by buying--not pirating--their music. And in a few days, I will go to their show in Boston!

See also:
Underworld on Discogs, Underworld on BSS, Underworld forums.

On an unrelated note, you *NIX users might enjoy this session I just had with the ed editor:

jonirons@merck ~ $ ed mailframe.txt
mailframe.txt: No such file or directory
i don't care
?
I SAID I DON'T CARE 
?
I HATE YOU
?
q