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* Meets or exceeds DOT standard.* Injection-molded thermoplastic shell construction.* Two adjustable upper forehead intake vents and two venturi exhaust vents. 3-position adjustable chin-bar vent.* Removable washable Nylex cheek pads and upper liner.* Single button release allows chin-bar/face shield to be opened with one hand. 2-stage pivot shield system for maximum shield seal.

Specifications

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Bean To Cup Coffee Machine Mens Hair Clippers Reviews

Decor8blog.com recently featured HomeInfatuation.com’s Genie Outdoor Wicker Chair!

The article stated:

“I don’t know about you, but I could fill my home with chairs because to me, they’re like my shoe collection — I can never get enough. This is one lovely chair that I spotted today over at Cookie magazine online and all I could think when I laid eyes on it was: SIGN ME UP. I want one though I have no clue where I’d put it or even why I want it so badly… But then again, cravings are usually like that aren’t they?”

To view the amazing outdoor Genie Wicker Chair and other furnishings and accessories for the home, visit us today at www.homeinfatuation.com.

Ett exempel på jobba med modular environment-art. En fönster-bit och en dörr-bit är teglade likt LEGO-bitar.

Vertical scaffolding tubes must be supported on proprietary base plates to ensure the safety of the scaffolding

NEVER drop scaffolding components from heights when dismantling scaffolding as it could present a serious danger to persons below.

If scaffolding has been erected completely around a building, use ‘stand off’ bracing members to ensure that the scaffolding is restrained.

A scaffolding rental company has the knowledge and equipment to swiftly set up and dismantle scaffolding.

A fall protection and scaffolding training course will enable you to understand the requirements and responsibilities required by OSHA.

ALWAYS WARE A HARD HAT whenever you’re erecting, dismantling or moving scaffolding.

Scaffolding bars are used to make the structure of scaffolding which is used for the construction and maintenance of buildings etc.

Take time to research the scaffold company you propose to use to ensure that it will meet all of your needs.

Scaffolding contractors can contract scaffold services and arrange scaffolding equipment hire on your behalf.

It’s always difficult to determine the durability of steal and mild steel scaffolding

Hire Scaffolding

If you are building a single storey extension, or a bungalow, you may not need scaffolding at all. If in doubt, speak to your builder. Scaffolding won’t be the most expensive part of your budget but, depending on how long you need it for, it will make a dent in your pocket, so make sure you only use the scaffolding if you need it. It is possible to erect a two storey building without scaffolding, but most builders would advise that scaffolding is used.

Where do I find a scaffolding contractor?

Your builder should be able to recommend a scaffolding contractor, or speak to your local planning department, who may have a list of approved scaffolders. You can choose to hire the scaffolding, or to buy it. The option that is best for you depends on the complexity and length of your project. Scaffolding is usually priced per metre run of lift. Experts suggest that if your scaffolding is likely to be up for more than six months, it may be more cost effective to buy the scaffolding, hire a contractor to erect it, and then sell it on once your build is completed.

Hire Scaffolding

The kind of scaffolding you see at most domestic building sites is made up of four major components:

* Upright metal tubes (standards)

* Horizontal metal tubes (ledgers)

* Shorter metal tubes (transoms)

* Wooden platform (battens) The standards are joined to the ledgers, and then the transoms are added at right angles to support the wooden battens. In order to give the structure stability and strength, diagonal braces are added and often scaffolding clips are used to tie the structure together. In addition, guard rails or netting may be added for additional safety.

Products called “system scaffolding” are becoming more commonly available and are better suited to the DIY market. These systems slot together and have built-in strength and flexibility. The same safety regulations apply to both systems and whether you are building yourself or using a contractor, you should be aware of all the relevant safety issues.

Can I put up scaffolding myself?

Although the basic principles of erecting scaffolding are very straightforward, you need to be absolutely sure that you can put up a safe structure. Not only will you be using the scaffolding yourself, but the tradesmen you employ will also be using it, and there may be people at your plot who are not involved with the building, such as utility engineers, building inspectors and your family and friends. If the scaffolding is dangerous and any of those people are hurt, either by falling from the scaffolding or being hit by scaffolding, you could face a huge personal insurance claim. More relevant than whether you put the scaffolding up by yourself is whether you need scaffolding at all.

Hire Scaffolding

ADTRAN Smart 16e – modular expansion base ( 4202023L8 ) Review

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ADTRAN Smart 16e – modular expansion base ( 4202023L8 ) Feature

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ADTRAN Smart 16e – modular expansion base ( 4202023L8 ) Overview

The ADTRAN Smart 16/16e Shelf provides a rackmount, high-density solution for central site WAN connectivity requirements. The shelf provides flexibility, allowing installation of a mixture of 16 WAN communication devices. ADTRAN has a complete offering of ISDN, DDS, Switched 56, and FT1/T1 products that operates in the shelf. The Smart 16/16e shelf may be configured for 19″ or 23″ mounting with either AC or DC powering. Load sharing and redundancy are provided with an optional second power supply. The shelf incorporates a mid-plane design that facilitates hot swapping for all devices, including the power supplies.A common controller card is used to configure and control all devices installed in the shelf. Up to 15 additional shelves may be daisy chained and controlled locally or remotely by a VT 100 terminal attached to a single controller card. An optional hand-held 2×16 LCD display and keypad are available for local configuration by connecting directly to the front of the controller card via the RJ-11 jack. The Smart 16e version provides SNMP Management via an embedded SNMP agent. Through the Management Information Base (MIB)-II standard and ADTRAN-supplied enterprise MIBs, the Smart 16e Shelf allows for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of each device using standard SNMP network management programs such as HP OpenView, NetView, and SunNet Manager.

ADTRAN Smart 16e – modular expansion base ( 4202023L8 ) Specifications

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Open Ephyra adalah framework open source yang digunakan untuk membangun Question Answering System (QAS). Open Ephyra mampu me-retrieve jawaban yang akurat dari pertanyaan alami (natural language question). Disusun dengan menggunakan Java, sehingga arsitektur dari Open Ephyra adalah modular. Modularitasnya terlihat dari pemisahan sistem QAS secara keseluruhan dengan bahasa yang digunakan. Jadi kita dapat melakukan customize pada framework ini, misalkan dengan membuat QAS dalam bahasa Indonesia. Secara default, Open Ephyra menggunakan bahasa Inggris.

1. Download: dapatkan Open Ephyra untuk ubuntu di: http://linux.softpedia.com/progDownload/OpenEphyra-Download-35581.html
2. Salin/copy:

   cp /home/windupurnomo/Downloads/openephyra-0.1.1.tar.gz /usr/local/
   

3. Ekstrak:

   tar xzvf openephyra-0.1.1.tar.gz
   

4. Running:
   Pastikan komputer yang anda gunakan sudah terinstall JRE. Masuk ke direktori hasil ekstrak open ephyra, kemudian masuk lagi ke directory script, kemudian eksekusi file OpenEphyra.sh. Command:

   ~# cd /usr/local/openephyra-0.1.1/scripts/
   /usr/local/openephyra-0.1.1/scripts# ./OpenEphyra.sh
   

5. Anda dapat mencobanya dengan mengguanakn pertanyaan berbahasa Inggris, misalkan: Who is american president? atau lainnya.

HDTV Flat Panel LCD TV w/ Modular DVD Player & USB Card Port Review

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HP StorageWorks Modular Array 1000 – Hard Drive Array – 14 Bays (Ultra160) – Fibre Channel (external) – Rack-mountable – 4U (418664) Category: Hard Drive Arrays Review

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HP StorageWorks Modular Array 1000 – Hard Drive Array – 14 Bays (Ultra160) – Fibre Channel (external) – Rack-mountable – 4U (418664) Category: Hard Drive Arrays Feature

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HP StorageWorks Modular Array 1000 – Hard Drive Array – 14 Bays (Ultra160) – Fibre Channel (external) – Rack-mountable – 4U (418664) Category: Hard Drive Arrays Overview

Item #: 418664. The StorageWorks Modular SAN Array 1000 is a 2 Gb Fiber Channel storage system designed for the entry-level to mid-range Storage Area Network (SAN). Designed to reduce the complexity, expense and risk of SAN deployment, the msa1000 is a scaleable, high performance storage system built with investment protection in mind. The modular design of the msa1000 allows the user to easily add storage capacity on an as needed basis.

Product Description
HP StorageWorks Modular Array 1000 – hard drive array
Device Type: Hard drive array
Enclosure Type: Rack-mountable – 4U
Interface: Fibre Channel
Installed Devices / Modules Qty: 0 (installed) / 14 (max)
Supported Drives: Ultra160 SCSI
Dimensions (WxDxH): 19 in x 20.5 in x 6.9 in
Weight: 55.1 lbs
Built-in Devices: Status LCD
Storage Controller: RAID ( Ultra160 SCSI ) – RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, ADG
Power: AC 100/240 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Redundancy: Optional
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years warranty
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HP StorageWorks Modular Array 1000 – Hard Drive Array – 14 Bays (Ultra160) – Fibre Channel (external) – Rack-mountable – 4U (418664) Category: Hard Drive Arrays Specifications

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 16, 2009 20:40:07

Over the past few years millions of people have either become underemployed or unemployed. There are having been many people who have been doing their own home renovations because of the economic slowdown. If you are planning on doing renovations around your home it is important that you have a good scaffold board for your home.

Anyone who is looking to do renovations around their home need to make sure that they have good scaffolding. Having the right equipment and supplies will ensure that your job goes very smoothly. There are many different kinds of scaffolding that you can get, so you will need to find one that can work for you.

One of the benefits that scaffolding provides is the ability to assemble and dissemble in a very fast time. If you set up the scaffold correctly you won’t have to worry about it falling over. People who know how to use scaffolding properly are able use it very fast and effectively.

Anyone who is going to be working in an elevated level should make sure that they have good scaffolding. One of the reasons why scaffolds are better than ladders is because you don’t have to worry about the balance. If you set up a scaffold properly it will be fully balanced and extremely difficult to be pushed over.

If you own scaffolding it is important that you use quality scaffolding boards. Do comprehensive inspections before you walk on the boards to make sure that there are new cracks or knots visible. Failing to do this can sometimes result in serious accidents that occur when the scaffolding breaks.

Anyone who is not familiar with different scaffolding systems needs to make sure that they look at their manual. Understanding how to properly set up your scaffolding will ensure that you don’t have accidents. Remember that failing to proper the right procedures can result in an accident occurring.

People who are looking to buy aluminium scaffolding need to find the right one for them. There are many different styles and brands of scaffolds that are available, so it is important to find the right one for you. Making sure you do your research will ensure that you find something that can work for you.

Having the right scaffold boards can ensure that you don’t have any problems when you are walking on the scaffold. A comprehensive search online can reveal different scaffold systems that are available for you to use.

Hire Scaffolding

“I want to pretend, I want to pretend
The shape of the past could walk in the present tense
I’m shaking my head, you’ve certainly said
I don’t like you much now”

I don’t know if I’ve stated my love for Australia’s Modular Recordings enough here. They are by far my favourite indie label these days as they consistently put out quality releases and have brought some brilliant tunes from down under giving some great artists a chance to shine. From the Presets to Ladyhawke to Cut Copy to Van She, it doesn’t stop. Of all the bands on the label that have stolen my heart on countless occasions, none do it quite so effectively or with such stealth as New Young Pony Club.

Their 2007 debut Fantastic Playroom was pure new wave heaven. It speaks to how great and solid a record is when you can easily play it two years later and still feel the impact you did when you first listened from track one to the end. That kind of replay value holds true here. At long last, I’m happy to say the band is back!  There is a new single afoot! It’s called Lost A Girl and it retains the band’s relentless charm while making things a tad but darker.

Less pep, less immediate than The Bomb or Ice Cream but the band is better for it.  Tahita is still the star of the show here with her simple lyrics delivered with such panache, you’re sucked in instantaneously. NYPC , on the debut blended perfect pop moments with killer grooves showcasing some honest to goodness musical chops. That is still evident here in case you were at all concerned. Prepare to fall in love with the Pony Club all over again.

Just remember to pick up the new record The Optimist when it’s released in March unless of course you live in the US where you get to wait…

New Young Pony Club on MySpace
New Young Pony Club on Facebook
New Young Pony Club on Twitter

“Lost A Girl” by New Young Pony Club from the forthcoming Modular release, “The Optimist”

"A precociously inspired 21 year old skate rat from Sydney’s northwest" Modular

Jonathan Boulet’s self-titled debut is a late contender for my top album list. I must admit though, that after my first listen I was a little unsure. Two things came to mind. Either this dude is on the cusp of musical greatness and this album is a small bit DIY genius…or, the guy’s a little try hard for my liking. Music with that DIY sound straddles that line a fair bit I reckon.

Luckily for you, and for me, and for Modular (he was signed just a few months ago), and even Mr Boulet himself, I’m going with the former. This album IS good. The dude does possess some great song writing skills. I don’t really know what he reminds me of. It’s a little all over the place, but I think that’s what’s good about the album. There are obvious standouts like A Community Service Announcement and 321 Ready or Not. But then there’s also the opener, Continue Calling, a track that sounds so laid back and is such a great example of that DIY feel that he seems to have mastered on this album. The vocal harmonies, especially when they’re left on their lonesome half way through the track, just sound so easy.

I could go on about every track…but I won’t bore you too much. They’re all pretty darn good. I don’t know if I can put my finger on it, but there’s almost this feeling of sadness that stays with you throughout the album. Ones Who Fly Twos Who Die (Track 2) and You Never Knew Me (Track 3) really get this going. It’s not a depressing sadness or anything extreme. It’s just this feeling that something wasn’t right or…look…I dunno really. It’s really hard to put my finger on exactly what it is.

However, from this initial sadness, it goes a little bit crazy. 321 Ready or Not is such a great song. It pushes, it’s relentless, it feels as though it’s messed with my head just a bit. And that’s really good. I reckon this one would go off live.

Then that sadness kicks back in. 10 Billion Years is actually kinda sweet though. The glockenspiel in the background, the backing vocals provided by Rebecca Shave. They both add a particular sweetness to the track.

There’s electro stylings and glitchiness in Lay Off The Streets For A While, Adam of Zilla, and North To South East To You. And he fuses that in really really well. Something else that plays a really important role in making the album what it is is the musical ability of this fella. He played nearly all of the instruments you hear, and recorded them all by himself in his garage. Something pretty bloody impressive for a dude who just hit 21.

So yeah, this album will definitely find a place in my albums of the year list in a few weeks. There’s just something about an artist that seems to not really care about what people will think of his music. Or at least gives that impression. And the fact that he did it all himself blows me away.

So bloody glad I bought it.

Jonathan Boulet – A Community Service Annoucement

(ModShop, iTunes)

K. That’ll do the ramble for now.

Modular Market StructureThis is the latest project that I have completed in my architecture studio class.  The project outline was to design a small multiple  functional structure within the dimensions of 12′x12′x12′ that could be placed with other modulus to create a market place.

concept idea_  Frozen Movement

Before you rule out these two words being together I would like to direct your attention to a movie or Motion Picture.  This dichotomy is something that we have accepted as being ok even though a picture intrinsically does not move. But a picture can have motion.  In the case of art critiques you have probably heard “this painting has a real sense of movement” in that the strokes of paint together pull the eye across the canvas.

In my module this sense of movement is conveyed by the process of creating the slant.  When applying a force to a corner of a box the box has a tendency shear ////or give-way to the force. Now if we were to freeze that position and stabilize it into a structure we have successfully frozen motion, like a picture.

Taking movement one step further we can look at what happens when we view a series of “frozen movement” pictures one after another in and animated fashion.  Your perception of the altering scenes of the pictures gives the impression of movement.  This sense of movement can also be experienced by passing a corn field in your car and seeing the rhythmic pattern being formed by the spacing of the repeating stalks and the sky.

This sense of movement is presented to the observer by use of the timber cladding encasing the perimeter walls.  Depending on the direction and speed at which one is seeing the cladding, movement is formed through repetition.

So there is the frozen movement perceived from walking pedestrians and the movement of the cladding through the perspective of cars passing by.

There are a few things to remember when you hire Scaffolding. Remember that there will be quite a few companies that are hiring scaffolding, so you can be sure to find a job as long as you follow through and make the right decisions.

First of all, depending on where you live, scaffolding hire is going to be different during different seasons. If you live in a place where the weather is cold or snowy during the winter, or if you live in a place where winters are wet or rainy, you might find that there are not a lot of companies that are hiring scaffolding for the winter. Therefore, you might find yourself very busy during one season and not as busy for other seasons to come. However, if you live in a place where the temperature and climate remain the same all year round, you will find that there is more work for you during all of the months of the year.

If you own scaffolding, and you are not using it, you might be able to hire it out for rent if you do not want to sell it. This is another way that you can take advantage of scaffolding hire. People will pay you in order to use your scaffolding. So, even if there is no work for you, there might be work for your actual scaffolding, and you can still make money off of the scaffolding hire.

When you are looking for scaffolding hire, there are a few things to consider. First of all, a good resume is always important, no matter what business you are working in. Your resume should contain your experience, especially if you have experience in hiring scaffolding or in working in the construction field in general. These are all things that you should be sure to outline on your resume. Next, you want to be sure that you apply for several different jobs that are jobs with scaffolding hire. It is important that you are able to have a few to choose from, in the case that you don’t get the first job you apply for.

The last thing to consider when you are looking to hire scaffolding is that you are going to want to be sure you are working for companies that follow through with all of the rules and regulations when it comes to scaffolding. This will be the best thing for you.

Scaffolding

Splicing New Order’s patent Mancunian brand of indie disco intellectualism with the unbound, arms aloft euphoria of Orbital or the Chemical Brothers, Delphic are the next top drop in a long line of UK acts to make timeless pop music from sonic fragments of the future.

Delphic deliver the epic anthem Doubt in all it’s glory; straight to the point and full of kick.

Little cubes, bubbles, and spikes cover the beautiful bodies in this special effects-laden clip from the UK dance rockers. Check it out below!

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4/5

This just arrived in my inbox.  I’ve got to admit that I’m always a little hesitant to get on the cover bandwagon – especially when the track is originally from an epically cool 70s band such as Blue Öyster Cult. Nothing, in my opinion, can come close to matching the brooding psychedelic & progressive craziness of that era … but enter Sydney based Van She (admittedly a notcooyet favourite) on another BACARDI B-LIVE project.  I love the fact that they have seemingly popped their heads out of nowhere again to put their stamp on this rock classic – this time with their undeniable 80’s + post punk + synth pop style.  Hopefully this means some new material in the new future?

Cover or original?

BLUE OYSTER CULT – (DON’T FEAR) THE REAPER (VAN SHE REMIX)

Download from here

BLUE OYSTER CULT – (DON’T FEAR) THE REAPER

Follow not cool yet on facebook | myspace | twitter | last.fm | lomo

Ever wished you had a resource to keep your very brightest students occupied?  Something to inspire them towards A-Level?  Targeted resources get produced for borderline C and for G-E students (and rightly so), but until now there has been nothing focussed solely on A-A* students… 

We’re putting together a Practice Book for A-A* – as far as we know, the only one on the market.   It’s designed around the new AQA spec but will work for any Board.  Click here to see sample pages from a geometry chapter.  Our aim is to give top students as much practice as possible at the top grades, and also a bit beyond that.  Each section finishes with a brain-teaser (“Challenge Yourself”) – the maths doesn’t go beyond the GCSE curriculum, but the questions are far harder than the exam.  Here’s an example of the Challenge Yourself feature from the proportionality chapter: 

All i seem to go on about is how good Modular Records are. Well…they are ok? And they’re throwing a Christmas party too. And you guys are invited…(well, only if you’re in Melbourne or Sydney that is).

Anywho, the line up for these gigs is looking pretty alright. Kinda wish I was heading to the Sydney party instead of Melbourne…but you know…can’t win ‘em all. You Sydney people and Melbournites should definitely head down. Ticket’s are selling out pretty quick smart though…so geta to ita!

Anyway, the line up for both gigs are just down below. I’m just excited to finally see Muscles play after the whole shemozle that was him and Nevereverland last year.

Sydney: Sat Dec 12 @ The Beach Road Hotel Bondi

Tame Impala (Live)
Jonathan Boulet (Live)
The Swiss (Live)
Ladyhawke (DJ Set)
Bang Gang
Canyons
Tim Cutters
KIM
Graz
Anna Lunoe
Modular Djs

Melbourne: Sat Dec 19 @ The Espy St Kilda

Tame Impala (Live)

Jonathon Boulet (Live)
Muscles (Live)
Bang Gang
Canyons
Andee Frost
Tony Pepperoni
Knightlife
Bongmist
Nick Foley
Modular DJs

Head over to the Mod Shop for any last minute tix. GET IN QUICK!!!

To leave you with, the dude I’m getting pretty pumped to see. Muscles.

Muscles – Sweaty

K. That’ll do the ramble for now.

Die Puppet on a string Konzertreihe geht in die zweite Runde

Nach dem überragenden Erfolg von Puppet on a string, stand schon früh bei den Planungen für das nächste Jahr fest: Puppet on a string ist wieder mit dabei!
Momentan befinden wir uns in der eifrigen Planungsphase für die neue Ausgabe und können euch hier nun also u.a. die Bands für das nächste Jahr nennen.

King the Fu, Palmcourtbeats, Kölbenkoopf, Smack, Roman Fischer, Cosh G, Nichts, Instrument, Dub a la Pub sowie Unicova werden euch im nächsten Jahr bestens unterhalten! Und wie es sich gehört wird es im nächsten einfach größer! Im speziellen bedeutet das, dass wir das Orchester ordentlich aufgestockt haben: um die 20 Musiker sind es diesmal.

Des weiteren werden die 10 Songs heuer von 5 Arrangeuren umgebaut. Zum einen musste dieser Weg aufgrund der doch sehr aufwändigen Arbeit gegangen werden, zum anderen werden die einzelnen Lieder dadurch noch spezieller interpretiert werden.
Unsere Arrangeure sind dieses Jahr:

• Michael Kamm (Musikalische Leitung 2009)
• Tim Allhoff (Musikalische Leitung 2009)
• Peter Gampel (Professor an der Uni Augsburg)
• Kay Fischer (Orchestermitglied 2009)
• Jörg Weber (Dozent am downtown music institute)

ok. So this isn’t exactly a post about new music. It does however have a track that I am loving at the moment. Jonathan Boulet is a young dude from Sydney who has just signed to MAAMF’s favourite, Modular Records. The track, Community Service Announcement has an awesome video, even being raved on about by…Ima let you finish, but I’m a little bit of a wanker man. What’s best about the original, and this remix done by the awesome Album Leaf, is that it makes me happy. It makes me glad to write a music blog and makes me think how using technology can make people happy, or in some cases can help make people happy again.

Some of you guys who actually know me will know that for a while I did quite a bit of work for an organisation called The Inspire Foundation. These guys started off as a suicide prevention based thing about 15 years ago, but now it’s extended it’s reach to simply helping young people get happy. Not in some happy clappy religious way. They’re actually committed to benefiting the lives of young people, and the majority of the dudes and dudettes that work there are young people too. They’re also an internet based organisation, and their main aim is to use technology to better the lives of young people. Pretty simple premise right?!

Getting serious for a tiny bit though. One of the biggest problems ,in Australia at least, is the suicide rate. Especially of young guys (Australia has one of the highest suicide rates for young guys in the world). One of the things that, in my opinion, has been missing from the discussion of young people and mental health is why you get more women reporting that they’re feeling shitty but more guys taking their own lives. It’s only until recently with the worldwide push of things like Movember, that people have thought more about men and their health.

Inspire are in the process of adding to this discussion. In partnership with the Brain & Mind Research Institute at Sydney Uni, The Matespeak survey was launched a little while ago. It only takes you about 15 mins to do and asks question about you using technology and how it helps you out in the not so great times. It’s only open to peeps in Australia though, so sorry international people! If you are outside Australia though but know an Aussie young person (generally aged between 16 and 24), feel free to send them the link. Likewise, if you’re in Australia and know other young peeps, feel free to send them the link. Also, it’s not gender specific. If you’re female, do it too. But remember to tell your boyfriend, brother, cousin, other fella friends.

You can access the survey at www.matespeak.com.au. Please do it guys. This is something really important.

And that track! Check it out and tell me you don’t feel a little bit happier after listening to it. See! Told you technology could help make you happy :p

Jonathan Boulet – A Community Service Announcement (The Album Leaf Remix)

K. That’ll do the ramble for now.

I really wish I was ‘Stripped’ era Christina Aguilera right now. Just Linda (Perry) and me casually dropping beats and laying vocals for the opener ‘Stripped Intro’ and with it one of the slickest album intros of all time. Alas, there are no songwriters for hire to help this brand spanking new blog writer open proceedings. With just one man and a whole lotta music on my mind, suddenly all hope of this going the viral version of 5 times platinum seems out of reach. Sigh. But ‘Dream Big’, that’s what Jazmine Sullivan says so let’s press on and see what we’ve got.

If I haven’t lost you with the C Aguilera reference, then you’re definitely in the right place. If I have – we’ll forget that you’re no longer supposed to be reading – don’t be disenchanted just yet, I promise there’ll be plenty for the haters too.

The topic of introductions is a very tidy little segue into what this thing is all about for me.  Most spare minutes in my day are generally consumed with music. Talking, listening, reading, watching and even singing. How do I sound? I reckon the one and only Sista Marcia would give me a bit o’- “you’ve got some real volume darlin’. You did your best boyfriend and I thank you for that”. Basically, I want to share the sounds that I love, and about why I love them. Hopefully we’ll introduce each other to new stuff, old stuff, random stuff, obscure stuff and yes, even the deliciously sugar coated commercial stuff. My advice – listen now, judge later. C’mon, join the joyride!

I’ve had some majorly consuming musical introductions this year. Not the least of which is a 2 disc compilation released by Modular (a record label) ‘Leave Them All Behind 3′. The introduction came via a 4 out of 5 stars review in a local newspaper. I’m usually a bit dubious about compilations ( I think I was scarred by a Pepsi Chart Hits related experience sometime around 1995 – beware!). Modular are a reputable bunch (Robyn, Presets, Ladyhawke) and these particular discs included Tiga, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Bloc Party and Calvin Harris. Ching ching  the purchase was made.

It wasn’t long before I was asking for a ‘few private moments alone with the CD’. Obsession kicked in and I had individual tracks on repeat, over and over …. and over and over (‘like a monkey with a miniature cymbal’, thanks Hot Chip). To take you on a minor digression, I’m not so good with moderation - some tracks have been known to make my iTunes 25 Most Played after one week. Crazy times people, I know!  The tracks that I loved most were from the musos that I didn’t actually know. That started a little mission and after some digging on a few of them I’ve generated some serious new love for some seriously kool kats. The most notable of them are below including the track they contributed that fanned the fanatic flames in yours truly: 

• Friendly Fires – ‘Skeleton Boy’ (Could be the best song this year – warning: there’s this and about 100 other contenders from this year. Anyone for a grain of salt?).
• Fever Ray – ‘Triangle Walks (Tiga’s 1-2-3-4 mix)
• Passion Pit – ‘Sleepyhead’
• Phoenix – ‘Lisztomania’
• Bag Raiders – ‘Shooting Stars’

Friendly Fires are just plain awesome. I bought their CD (it’s self titled) from JB Hi Fi for $12.99. Bargain! I read a review that said the lead singer has ‘heartthrob vocals’. It is tempting to dismiss this I know, if only on the basis that in Germany these words may end up engraved on souvenir replicas of David Hassellhoff’s headstone. Shockingly, this turns out to be a more than fitting synopsis. They (Friendly Fires, we’ll leave the Hoff alone now) have this euphoric ‘80’s style electronic thing going on with some engaging lyrics which prove to be difficult to escape. Check out ‘In the Hospital’, ‘Paris’ and ‘Photobooth’ for a taste – quailitee! They’re playing Good Vibrations next year and I am major PUMPed to see them live!

NOW, let me talk about Fever Ray. She could almost justify a whole entry to herself. The remix on the Modular CD is a bit misleading about her actual sound. I did some research (via wikipedia.com) and was stoked to discover it was the solo project for Karin from the Knife (a Swedish brother and sister duo). One of the most remarkable and unusual voices you’ll hear. If you’re familiar with Royksopp’s ’What Else Is There’ (probably the Trentemoller remix for those playing at home) you’ll know what I’m talking ‘bout.

Another friend bought the Modular CD and gave it kudos for including a bit of Fever Ray. Said friend also had the Fever Ray album and gave it some fairly large kudos. Because I suffer from chronic FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) syndrome, I went and got my pretty self a copy and learned quickly it was totally different to my expectations, as set by the two remixes. At first it sounds really bare and has a bit of a Gregorian chant meets Enya kind of vibe. How that has ALL changed now.

You have to crank the sound up LOUD. The beats are simple yet so subtly rich. The lyrics are basic and yet resonate long after you switch it off. It’s not for everyone, granted, but for those of you that like to be rewarded for your musical investment I’d strongly encourage you to give this one a go. ’Seven’ is probably your best first stop. A tune that is just too good for words! And a mad clip to match.

The Outro

Some of my most loved and obsessed about artists have come via random and even hesitant introductions. Imagine not experiencing the likes of MIA, Fiona Apple, Damien Rice, Dixie Chicks, Lupe` Fiasco, Emiliana Torrini or Darren Hayes. If you are already not just imagining this but actually living it (gasp) we’ve got some work to do yet people!

Your mission (should you choose to accept it) … is to check out any of the tracks I’ve mentioned that you’re not familiar with. They all come wholly endorsed by me and you should at least see if that has any credibility! You can submit your disgusted comments in that patch of white that appears when you click the link above. Oh, and it’s free entry and $4 house champas until 10pm for all comments for this week only.

Looking forward …. to collating my top singles and albums of 2009. Let’s face it, that’s the real reason that I’m doing this thing!

Thank yous …. You – for reading. I know that this was a long one and will work on being a harsh editor for next time.

Will be in touch again soon … hang around if you can, it’s early days. The good news is that I’m always last to leave. Damn FOMO!