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"You can't be the Rolling Stones. You've gotta quit while you're relatively handsome."

Guided by Voices announce that they're going to spilt at the end of 2004. I've quoted the Billboard article because I saw it first, but the official site also has the announcement. Somehow I don't think it's the end of Robert Pollard releasing music though, I just get a feeling.... As a means of consoling those distraught fans, check out this page of GBV mp3s.
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North Street Arcade, Belfast, destroyed in fire
I was shocked and saddened to see this report on Sunday morning. Yet another setback for independent retailers in the city centre, sad because it housed Terri Hooley's new shop opened after the demise of Good Vibrations, a practice facility for local bands, and a promising acoustic music venue (Arcadia), and worrying because it was also home to the offices of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, easily Belfast's most impressive arts festival, which is just about to get underway for a fifth year. Thankfully everyone got out alive, although the same can't be said for the poor animals in the arcade's pet shop. I hope that something good can come out of it, although with another huge increase in commercial rents on the way courtesy of our fat-cat property developers, I don't think it'll rise from the physical ashes of the arcade.
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Tortoise mp3
I wasn't hugely excited about the prospect of a new Tortoise record. Although I had been a fan of the first few albums I though 'Standards' was a bit hit-and-miss. The new record "It's All Around You" sounds impressive on first listen though. Here is the title track.
Tortoise - It's All Around You
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A challenge!
Sorry there haven't been any updates this week - I have undertaken a challenge which requires me to compile a CDR (700mb!!) of the best of 1974. Struggling at the mo, and I have already added the complete Autobahn by Kraftwerk. I'll list it when it's finished.