Weird. It seems as if I listened to more serious music in the late seventies than now if you look at my ten favourite albums of 1976. I have practically stopped to listen to jazz for example.

IMPORTANT P.S. I forgot an excellent album released in 1976. The Modern Lovers self-titled first album which was recorded in 1972 (I already forgot it in that poll). As it is too much of a hassle to change the poll now, I suggest you tell me in the comments in case The Modern Lovers is your favourite.

Is there anything emptier than the drawer where you used to store your opium?

The Drawers Condition from Flowers for Hitler which Leonard Cohen wrote on Hydra in the early 1960s

If someone asked me to go on with my temporarily suspended 40 years, 40 albums project (including the best of the year polls) I would do it. After six albums I ran out of steam last winter. But it would have to be me who chose the next years (though I am open and keen on suggestions) to be covered. And I would probably never do all forty years.

Leonard Cohen on his spring 1993 tour according to Various Positions. A Biography of Leonard Cohen by Ira B. Nadel, German edition, Berlin Verlag, page 335:

Attempt of an English retranslation by me:

I promised Sean to write 50 words on this album which hasn't left my walkman, stereo, cd-rom drive etc. for the last couple of months. Concerning the depth and variety of the album 50 words are by far too few to do justice to this extraordinary piece of popular music. I feel that each song deserves at least 1,000 words. On the other hand 50 words are too much as there is only one word in my vocabulary, I mentioned it before: phantabulistic.

50 words: Like good tea HTTT is a perfect blend of many different varieties: Ambient, progrock, goth, dronerock and electronics. Add to this Yorke's pure sad asexual though sexy voice. His vague lyrics picked up from everyday conversations reflect the currently prevailing gloomy and grim atmosphere. A glacier-volcano spitting out frozen lava.

P.S. The full feature Hail to the Thief in 50 words with contributions by 15 music lovers (critics, musicians and webloggers) is online at Tangmonkey. There is also a thread at ILM including some more 50 word shots.

Morgens von dem Finale einer Zikadensymphonie geweckt werden, 46 Stufen hinunter durch ein Wäldchen zur Ägäis gehen, die da in der gleißenden Sonne völlig unbewegt daliegt, vom Licht geblendet sein, in das geschmeidig-samtige von der Viskosität her an Olivenöl erinnernde silbrig das Sonnenlicht wie Ölbaumblätter reflektierende Meer mit dem Körper peu à peu eintauchen, sich in die kühlen Fluten stürzen und langsam hinausschwimmen bis zum nächsten am Horizont aufragenden Eiland, das Meer ganz für sich alleine haben, für einen Augenblick der Herr der Schöpfung sein.

I was stupid and polite enough to do so. Or was I just scared? The guy could have carried a gun. You never know nowadays.

From

to

isn't such a huge step.

P.S. Not quite sure what Yorke sings there actually before "the raindrops". On Ateaseweb it says "oh", in the lyrics sheet there is only "the raindrops". It doesn't really matter but I prefer my interpretation.

A good example of why I love chess. It is full of surprises. There is humour in chess. And beauty. The beauty of simplicity. As in maths actually.

I got the diagram from Chessmaster 6000 but I am not too happy with it. The green is annoying and the size is too big. Does any of my readers know of an online resource to create nice black and white diagrams out of chess positions?

P.S. Another hint. This problem is about elegance: The white King asks the black king for a dance. It will be their last dance. White's King will have a small snack during the dance and will step out of the line of fire at the right moment for the lethal end. There are two dances, you were right in your comment, Phil. One is to the left (including an opulent last meal) and the other one to the right (the abstinent option). That is politeness and style in a macabre way. Black's King has got the choice how to dance into his own grave: with a full belly or without.

I just read over at The Age (via the null device) that the fourteen songs on the new Radiohead album Hail to the Thief all have subtitles.

In the article the subtitles of two songs are mentioned: Brush the Cobwebs Out of the Sky (Sail to the Moon) and Judge, Jury & Executioner (Myxomatosis).

Does any of my readers have the complete list of subtitles (especially the one for Sit Down, Stand Up)? And could she/he post them in the comments if possible? A Google search yielded zero results. I ordered the album but it won't arrive here before Tuesday I'd guess.

The end of said article is about the album title and adds an ex-post (self-fulfilling prophesy?) explanation of it: