We’ve trawled our offices for exclusive, signed and money-can’t-buy items to be auctioned off and raise money for the devastating Queensland Flood Relief and come up with some real treasures.

This is a rare and great opportunity to bid for that valuable signed album from your favourite artists including limited edition vinyl, CDs, posters and other exclusive items which have unearthed in the search for this much needed cause.

The auctions will be held via eBay on EMI Music Australia’s account – with all monies raised going to The Premier’s Flood Relief.

Items include (but are certainly not limited to):

• the original and actual electric chair used on the cover for the classic Hoodoo Guru’s album Electric Chair, through to;
• a vintage triple j Hottest 100 Platinum plaque awarded to the Virgin team for sales of the 2nd triple j Hottest 100 CD;
• an ultra limited edition signed AIR Love 2 vinyl box set;
• signed block mounted posters from the likes of Robbie Williams, JET, The Cat Empire, Eliza Doolittle, Miami Horror and Keith Urban;
• signed CDs from Coldplay, Lily Allen, Ben Harper, Good Charlotte, The Vines, Kisschasy, and Paul Dempsey;
• various merchandise items including a Katy Perry beach towel;
• vinyl bundles from the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Arcade Fire, Explosions in the Sky, JET, Arctic Monkeys, Grinderman, The Chemical Brothers, Jamelia…
• a limited edition Goldfrapp Head First cassette tape (old skool!) and limited edition Depeche Mode Ultra and Exciter CD albums.
• a limited edition Spice Girls Greatest Hits boxset (including friendship bracelet)
• and much much more…

Bidding wars are highly encouraged!!!! And thanks for doing your part in helping raise money for those in need throughout Queensland.

AUCTION ENDS JAN 27 – GET BIDDING!

EVERY WINNER GETS BONUS PRIZES
(Arcade Fire badges, Beastie Boys stickers, Goldfrapp keychains, etc)
IN THEIR DELIVERIES

Arizona… You brought down the thunder.

When Zack de la Rocha, Massive Attack, and Cypress Hill call for a boycott and the President of the United States doesn’t condemn the action, you’re in for trouble.

If you’re not across US politics right now, Arizona’s state legislature and Governor Jan Brewer have recently signed bill SB 1070, which amongst many other provisions, “requires a reasonable attempt to be made to determine the immigration status of a person… if reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S.”.

For the cynics, you’re right: it will take more than an online petition (though you should still sign it). It will take more than a protest song. These are tools that inspire us to stand up for what’s important. And what’s more inspirational than the idea of “Power to The People”!?

So whilst we’re knackering on about influential and inspiring artists who never shy away real-world issues… Massive Attack have a new short film from their Heligoland album series. The film for the track Psyche was directed by John Downer.  Other short films from Heligoland include Paradise Circus (Toby Dye) and Flat of the Blade (Ewan Spencer).

Click past the fold to watch Psyche (it’ll take a few moments to load).

“In my interpretation of Psyche I have taken the idea of metamorphosis as the theme – a literal metamorphosis as insects change into their adult form and a metaphorical metamorphosis as a girl becomes a woman and breaks free of her past.” – John Downer

As the year starts, I debate new music with my peers as I’ve done many years before:

• “HOW ON EARTH IS THERE GOING TO BE A NEW SOUND THIS YEAR?” one voice says.
• “I WONDER WHAT IT’LL LOOK LIKE?” another voice replies.
• “AND PLEASE GOD DON’T LET IT START WITH GA GA ANYTHING.”

I laugh and agree, but never fear… There is something special coming. Not a new band but a new SOUND… and at the end of the day that’s what we are really looking for. Think 3 piece, think England, and think DARK!!!

The latest album Heligoland by the one and only MASSIVE ATTACK take me deep in the tundra that is ‘the dramatic’…. SO dark, so subtle, and what’s that I hear… orchestral? Like fashion, to move forward we must first take one small step back… and I have no doubt it’s landed them right smack dab on the moon!!! This album actually gives me chills – not “ooo, that’s a scary movie” chills or “OMG she’s sitting on my lap” chills. I’m talking about the type of chills that get you standing up, calling your friends and grabbing your guitar all at the same time – with elements of Mezzanine but so much more patient. And the clarity of this album leaves me speechless, I can almost see through these songs, and just when you think you have a track wrapped up in your mind, they drop a little sequence patter that will make you melt. Beats in 4/4 but start the pattern on the third phrase just to make your curious for the next section.

It’s these little subtle movements that make these songs flow in and around you. I now remember why these guys are the god fathers of trip-hop.

With so much music coming out I am easily influenced – by young bands trying to come out with the latest sounds, coolest looks, and most outstanding band logo fonts (I suggest starting your search in France). And I hate to say it but sometimes I just like a track ‘cos its new and different, not necessarily good. The Led Zeppelin double album days are gone and I feed off the new like a leech. I need the new – it show me the way forward, keeps me young, and I love the arrogance you get from young blood – like flying blind without a care in the world. I fall in love with it.

But do you buy a ticket to see this precious new born baby, only to watch the lead or whoever walk over to his computer or sequencer, put one tattooed hand up in the air and with the other had press play!? Up starts Ableton, programmed drums, guitars, synth, back up vocals. This instantly leaves me with the question: besides pressing play, what are all these guys and girls on stage actually doing? DAMN IT, do you see what’s happened? I’ve been entertained, entertained not inspired! They slipped another one past me! This is not education, this is entertainment, very similar to that thing in my parents living room playing propaganda all day. Oh no, I’ve been entertained and now feel a bit cheap, dirty and slightly used. How could this new born baby be so sneaky – how could you!?

Example:
I saw a band called Yatch a few months back, an indie band from Oregon. Think 2011 Eurythmics meets NIN. Wicked wild stuff that only someone growing up in Portland Oregon could come up with. I arrive at Oxford Arts Factory:

• OK they go on in 5… Very excited to see this explosion on stage!!!
• Umm, they are 15 min late. It’s cool, This is going to be wild.
• The curtain opens!!!
• WTF?? Empty stage? These guys must be from the future!!!!
• OK, be cool. I am sure they will do something here…
• Out they come, looking good, but holding nothing….
• Just then, the lead singer walks over to a synth on the side of the stage….

OH NO (I think to myself). He’s going for that Play Button. NOOOOO, noo noo I’m being entertained again. How did I not see this coming!? I’m smarter then this! Perhaps not…

Does anyone remember Milli Vanilli? I thought we had an agreement on this issue in the 90’s: you’re not allowed to fake it anymore… well, unless you’re Britney Spears but that’s a little different then an underground band on a small stage in Australia. I’m sure they have their reasons and its so hard to be different these days. They were fun to watch for a bit but I sill leave sad… disappointed… and slightly horny (but that a story for another time).

Massive Attack’’s Australian Tour:
Now yes, Massive Attack use samples and synths and all kinds of fun toys but the difference is THEY ACTUALLY PLAY THEM LIVE!!! Not only that, they have one of the most seductive and emotive live performances going around these days. Their light show is up there with Trent Reznor’s and guess what? They are coming to Australia!!!! To enjoy our good food of course and the beaches… but also to promote their new album Heligoland. And when these guys come to town, similar to Radiohead or Bjork… YOU GET YOUR FUCKING TICKETS EARLY or you miss out!!! So join me if you will and witness professionalism with a capital P.

Added bonus:

Check it:

Not giving too much away here except there are some KILLER electro and dance albums heading our way in 2010!

inthemix.com has detailed their 30 most anticipated albums, and here’s a sneak peak at what’s in the running…

Safe to say we agree with their verdict.

Get in quick…

This short film directed by Toby Dye is soundtracked by Massive Attack’s brand new track Paradise Circus, featuring Hope Sandival of Mazzy Star. You can view the film in full tomorrow at massiveattack.com, but why bother when it’s ready for you right here today!?

Don’t be fooled by the sweet little nanna however – these clips are not for the faint of heart or the workplace (unless you work in the adult industry)… Here’s what you’re in for:

In unblinking close-up a frail little old lady looks straight down the lens of the camera as she describes the fuck of her life from nearly forty years ago. Inter-cut with her frank confession is actual footage of the intimate moments she describes; for this senior citizen is none other than the star of one of the most infamous pornographic films ever made, 1973’s The Devil In Miss Jones.

Paradise Circus is the lead track from the Massively (hardi-har) anticipated new Massive Attack album Heliogoland, out on Feb 5, 2010. It’s been a long wait, but by the sounds of this ethereal minimalist track – it’ll have been worth it!

The ‘09 Ivor Novello Outstanding Contributor to British Music (and the band that provides the best soundtrack to a hangover) Massive Attack, are finally providing new tunes – their first in three years. The EP of four tracks, Splitting The Atom, has already been deemed Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record of the Week. It’s out digitally on Oct 2, but you can stream the EP in full from theinsoundfromwayout.com. No need to say thankyou.

After the Splitting The Atom EP, Massive Attack will release their fifth studio album in Feb 2010. The album will cram in collaborations with Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Guy Garvey and Tunde Adebimpe. Long time cohort Horace Andy is coming back to the fold with the band’s founding members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall.

Click on the links below to listen (stream via Windows Media Player) or download from iTunes. Happy listening!

• Splitting The Atom
  The lead track, featuring Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall and Horace Andy.
• Pray For Rain
  Features TV On The Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe.
• Bulletproof Love (Van Rivers and The Subliminal Kid Remix)
  Fronted by Guy Garvey. The stripped back, minimalist Christoff Berg reworking of Bulletproof Love. Bergoff (alongside Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid) produced the Fever Ray eponymous album.
• Psyche (Flash Treatment)
  Psyche features Martina Topley-Bird and was given the re-rub by Van Rivers & The Subliminal Kid, who recently remixed Bat For Lashes and The Big Pink.