A Brief Word From Our Sponsor...

I get offers for free swag all the dang time. My policy is pretty clear, I'm more than happy to receive review copies of Films, Books, or Music so long as the fact that a good review is not guaranteed by said receipt is understood (as the good folks from Quirk and MTV Books found out). Novelty stuff I usually don't review, most of the time when I get an offer for something like this I usually say "You don't get it man. It's about the music!" and then I throw a bottle of Wild Turkey at the wall, which is kind of a dumb thing for me to do because I spend a lot of money on Wild Turkey and a lot of time cleaning it up. Anyway, the final thing that people love trying to send me are press releases. Send me a press release or a trailer I burn down your house.

That being said though these rules are engraved in my skin ala Max Cady, I do occasionally bend rule 2 when I'm offered something so remarkably cool that I have absolutely no compunction sharing it with you guys.

Such was the case when T Shirt Bordello alerted me to these.

I love HP Lovecraft. I love alcohol. Well played sirs, well played.  But I still don't know if that's enough to make me-

OhmyGod.

Yes. That is a pint glass from The Winchester Tavern. I am only human.

Anyway, having received and sampled said items I am happy to say that the shirts are quality, sturdy and soft, the logos look like they'll bear up under repeat washings. The Pint Glass similarly is made to last and I happily sampled my first beer in it. Appropriately enough it was a Dead Guy.

The funny part I bought the beer on my way home from work, unaware that the package had arrived. Kismet. So yes thank you T-Shirt Bordello for alerting us all to the wyrm that eats us.

...

In speaking of things that I've been sent to review I was sent a review copy of Spindrift's Classic Soundtracks Vol. 1. I don't often write about music on TTDS being a firm believer in Steve Martin's dancing about architecture rule. (Example "The New Steve Earle album, solid but kind of samey." There aren't you glad you took the time to read that?) But I have to say I did enjoy Classic Soundtrack's quite a bit.

It's a concept album, with each track coming from a nonexistent movie. The music is atmospheric, slightly psychedelic and evocative. Good writing music.

Admittedly indie rock, concept albums, and psychedelia are all three acquired tastes. Still if they are tastes you have acquired I recommend giving Classic Soundtracks a spin.