I went to Tower Records the other day to get some new (and old) stuff. Music stores have always been a big money pit for me. I can easily drop 200 bucks at a time. I tend to walk the bins and grab a bunch of CD's then go back and figure out what I really want to buy. Then maybe cut it down again. It can get really bad.



So I have been hearing about these new surround sound CD's (DVD A) and SACD (Super Audio CD's) I figured I'd get one and check it out. SACD needs to have a special CD player but the DVD A plays in a DVD player. Ok I thought I'd try that. But there wasn't much in the DVD A section I wanted.



I bought 1 DVD A CD. The Phillip Glass soundtrack to Koyaanisqatsi. This is a weird choice because the whole movie is just images and music. I could have bought the DVD of the movie and had the soundtrack. Well I didn't think of that. I have always been a big fan of the movie and I have it on VHS tape, Laserdisc, and DVD. I have the soundtrack on its first release on CD and vinyl. The first release of the soundtrack was only about 40 minutes, as it had to fit on 1 lp, about 20 minutes a side. This claims to be the first time the entire soundtrack has been available.



So what is the verdict? Well if you like the soundtrack it is great. I just have a simple surround system nothing close to high end, and the music just fills the room from all angles. If you are not a fan of Phillip Glass well the music will drive you nuts!



I want to get some more popular music CD's and check out this whole DVD A stuff but there are not a lot of titles I want to buy yet.



I also picked up a few They Might Be Giants CD's because 1) I really like them and 2) I thought KNBR could use the song "They Might Be Giants" for radio promos for the SF Giants. If you hear a promo with that song, that was my idea. I don't think it will happen, the song isn't exactly a "Jock Jam" but hey maybe they'll use it.



I bought the new Rancid CD. It is in my truck and I haven't heard the whole thing yet. Rancid rule. At my funeral if Rancid and Metallica play I'll rise from the dead, swear to God.



I thought I was done, but ack the DVD section! I got out of there with 3 DVD's. House of 1000 Corpses, and 2 Clash movies, Westway To The World and The Essential Clash a collection of performance videos and assorted home movies. The Westway To The World movie is great for any Clash fan. Lots of footage from live concerts and interviews with the band. They all tell their story from the very start to the all too quick ending of what used to be called "The Only Band That Matters." They burned hot and left behind great albums. Still my favorite.