Got my laptop back early so I'm in for the next one

Good to have you on board sir :thumb:

So, from what I can remember, here's the list of traders for the next round;


+81
Abdullah424
Bulldog
Crash_Override
Duga
James44754
NumberNineDream
OctaneHugo
RVCA
Storymilo
UnchainedBallad

^ If any of you change your mind, let me know. Also, it's never too late to get your name down for one of these (well, obviously it is after you've all been paired up), and it'd be cool to have another larger-scale trade, so just tell me if you fancy the idea. Don't forget, this one's gonna be officially-released compilation-themed.

I guess I'll kick it off anytime between tomorrow and the weekend. Let's say Thursday at the earliest.

New trade starts tomorrow, so if you're into it and haven't let me know yet, do so very soon!

May I partake in this most enigmatic of threads, Duke of Pants?

storymilo sent me:

http://iheardyouthethirdtime.files.w...ble-beast1.jpg

Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

I was fairly interested to listen to this album once story sent me this thing since acoustic singer/songwriters are something I really love. A Chicago native, Andrew Bird is was trained from a young age on the violin. Early in his career, he did some collaborative work with the Squirrel Nut Zippers. This made me very excited since I happen to love the Squirrel Nut Zippers. His first band Bowl of Fire released a few albums to little commercial success and disbanded in 2003. After this, it was all solo time. Eventually, his style would shift from a full backing band to his more acoustic work of Noble Beast (released early 2009).

That is where I come in. The first song, "Oh No", was right up my alley. Nothing too groundbreaking, just a really solid acoustic based pop song. Sadly, this was easily my favorite song on the album. That really bugs me. If you have one intensely strong track, save it for the middle or something. The next song "Masterswarm" is also a fairly good song, and left me with high hopes for some strong tracks like that first one. Alas, it was not to be. The rest of the album can best be described as "typical". It isn't bad, it just didn't strike me as anything other than "Oh hey, acoustic music". When I go for acoustic singer/songwriter music, I go for it because of the raw emotion involved in writing it. You either have to do something incredibly intriguing and original, or you better be prepared to make me cry. This is why Elliott Smith will always be the supreme commander of all things singer/songwriter in my eyes.

The album wasn't without its decently catchy moments, however. "Tenuousness" and "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" were pretty good and as I said, none of the songs were really bad. Actually, I'm listenign to "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" again right now and I'm enjoying it far more than I remember. For that, I give the album a 6/10. Maybe in a different time I would have rated it higher, but after you hear Elliott Smith...there is just no going back.

Thanks, story!

Of course you can sir :thumb:

Turns out I can't be bothered to start the trade now, so anyone who hasn't signed up has a few hours to decide if they want to or not starting from...now!

Ok, so here's the draw. Owing to the odd number of participants, I'll be taking part in a three-way swap myself to keep this on the rails. Anyway, without further ado;


Remember folks, the theme for this one is officially-released compilations. These can count as...

*Best of albums/single collections
*B-side collections
*Soundtracks (as long as more than one artist is represented on it)
*Tribute albums (see soundtracks)
*Various Artist compilations (eg the Trojan reggae/ska comps, No New York etc)

If you really can't manage any of the above, then I guess I'll let you off ;)

Anyway, PM away. Let's say we've got at least two weeks to see this out for now.

You know, I could join in at the last second if you need an even number. :)

Deal :D I'll pair you up with Story then.

Haven't got round to listening to the album that Mr. Unchained Ballad sent me, but I promise I'll do my best this weekend!

Anyway, the reason I'm bumping this is because I'm wondering what anyone would think of another themed trade for the next one, except this time you send your partner an album of the kinda music they wouldn't normally listen to? Something well outside their comfort zone as a listener. Could make for some fairly interesting reviews anyway.

Feel free to let me know if you'd have any objections to that kinda thing.