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Constantines :: Kensington Heights

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Constantines Kensington Heights

Or, "The review that WOULD have been of Constantines could I download the damn album from the label"


I've been looking forward to buying the new Constantines album, Kensington Heights, ever since it came out six weeks ago. Reasons why I didn't buy it at the time stack up like beer coasters: I was between contracts, having just moved from New Zealand to Canada; I had a list of other albums to buy first; It was either new music or maintain my subscription to WoW; I couldn't find my wallet. See? Lots of reasons.

Now gainfully contracted, caught up on albums, and happily resting my Night Elf, I decided to part with my money. I was in Zulu Records on 4th to buy tickets to Frog Eyes/Destroyer (watch for a live music review) when I saw Kensington Heights for sale on vinyl. Forever a geek for outdated formats, I grabbed it. And it wasn't until I was paying for the LP that I noticed a silver sticker on the cover, shimmering with potential like a new idea: "free digital download with this album!" it screamed. A tiny yelp of glee escaped my lips.

Sad, then, that the free digital download has yet to manifest itself.

With my record player in a permanent state of nonexistance, the download was to be the source of all my listening enjoyment. When I got home I hopped on the web, found the label's site, created an account so I could download (annoying!), and was promptly told soon after that my code was invalid. I looked down at the black and white card that was tucked inside the record sleeve to check that I'd typed the code right because it was pretty complex: 20 digits of letters and numbers. I re-typed it carefully. No dice. I typed it into Notepad, checked it by holding the card up to the screen, then copy/pasted it into the password field. Fail.

My only other option was to email Arts and Crafts Records. So I did, politely explaining the problem, providing the code, and hoping for a swift resolution.

I sent the email 24 hours ago. No response yet. So I just now sent a follow up email. The must be very busy.

In the meantime, if anyone has heard this record and would like to provide a few words, please leave a comment. Tell us what you think. Is it good? Well, we expected that, but is it really good? Better than earlier attempts? Let us know. In the meantime, I'll have to settle for what I can find on Songza.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Its great. But the question remains....

You dont have a record player? That makes me cry.
We got 3 in our house...how else can you listen to old zz top records and old 70s british punk rock?

the stooges sound best on vinyl. Old neil young records sound trancedental. Cat power has a warmer tone on records. The bit rate for digital music is still lagging behind the best of 70's era hi def vinyl. to be honest, knowing that probably makes snobs like me imagine a difference.

dont scream fustration into the internets abyss my good man......go down to ye ole pawn shoppe and say;
" Hello shopkeep, I have 15 pence and would like to purchase a turning edison-o-phone for listening to grooved wax!"

then go home..hook her up, and rock out. Then go to garage sales and used vinyl shoppes and discover stuff way way better than death cab for wolf ocean kids cuties..stuff...
Your mates will say then
"gasp!.... music not on cd....not even on itunes!"

you will reply in your best attire lounging in the library
" gentlemen, post-colonialism is coming, i suggest we move our assests accordingly to asian markets"

DZ. I forgot me password.
27 May, 2008
Jamie said…
I would graciously accept a record player as a gift.
27 May, 2008
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