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Pages from Flip the Script: A Guidebook for Aspiring Vandals & Typographers

Here at the Alibi, we suspect that the death of print has been blown a bit out of proportion. Whether you’re getting or giving this Christmas—or just going out for Chinese food—you can’t go wrong with the written word. Here are seven books in seven categories united only by their general awesomeness.

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Reverend Horton Heat was one of those musicians that various friends played, but never really stuck. Maybe I was sleeping … maybe my mind just wasn't too much into the psychobilly fanaticism that permeated an outsider group of friends around 2008. Regardless Reverend Horton Heat (real name Jim Heath) is prepping a new album, titled Rev, that's scheduled to be released on Jan. 21. You can hear a track from it, titled “Spooky Boots,” (which also gives a shout-out to the Land of Enchantment) over at Billboard. Because why not.

What would it be like if Megadeth released an album of Christmas standards? And what would it be like if Jenny Lewis did a duet with them?

Soul singer Charles Bradley is proof that it doesn't matter how old you are or what your background is. If you have natural, raw talent, people will notice. Having two albums under his belt, Bradley has taken a somewhat unthinkable turn: He's provided a soulful cover of Black Sabbath's “Changes.” And it's fantastic. You can listen to that below.

It's that time again, y'all. Time for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to announce the newest pool of inductees. Among the musicians to be inducted and honored at this year's festivities is Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Kiss, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt. The ceremony takes place at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on April 10.

My first introduction to Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez was his cover of The Knife's “Heartbeats.” While that track was excellent, it couldn't have compared to the magnetic prowess that made the original so noticeable. But that's neither here nor there. Now Gonzalez has a few tracks on the soundtrack to the Ben Stiller flick The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. And Gonzalez has released a video for the track “Stay Alive,” which was written by Ryan Adams. You can watch that below.

I'm a fan of bare acoustic ditties. Maybe that's why it took me hearing A Sleep & A Forgetting to finally notice Islands, even though a friend had tried to get me to listen to them for years. Nick Thorburn (the front man, songwriter, extraordinaire) released Islands' latest opus, Ski Mask, earlier this year, and now he's shared an acoustic track that he recorded last Friday. You can hear it below.

Girls who were 16 circa 1998 are about to be very, very excited … and cry. For what, I don't know. But, Dave Matthews, Jakob Dylan and a host of other musicians have formed a new band (The Nauts). Apparently they got together at Brady Blade's Studios in Shreveport, La., to record some material, and now they've booked some live shows. Let the crying commence!

Country music legend Ray Price died at the age of 87 this past week. Though a lot of people (myself included) weren't too familiar with Price's repertoire, his indelible imprint in the music country sphere has been felt and ruminated over since his death to pancreatic cancer was announced. It's always hard to see a legend called home. So here's “Crazy Arms.”

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: If it's free, it's me. Texas group Okkervil River have released a third EP of '80s covers, titled Golden Opportunities 3. The mix features covers of artists ranging from Roseanne Cash to Don Henley. You can download or stream the EP (and get the two previous Golden Opportunities releases) here.

Every bit as dark and seductive as they were when they first started, the Dead Weather's latest song, “Open Up (That's Enough),” shows the group in a stylized light that further exemplifies their hard blues rock tendencies. Maybe the cigarettes are helping Mosshart's voice because it's working on this track. But enough of my gushing. You can hear the track below, and you can download it digitally on Jan. 14.

Sufjan Stevens has gotten together with Son Lux and Serengeti to form a trio of ideas (and music, obviously) called Sisyphus. And they're coming out with their eponymous debut on March 18, and they've shared a track, titled “Calm It Down.” Judging from the single alone, it could be interesting, or it could get old really fast. Let's see what happens.

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Courtesy of cabq.gov

One of the perks of being an uncle is seeing a child's face as they tear open a present on Christmas, seeing their eyes light up, their smile ignite at the sight of that pair of shoes (my nephew's into Jordan's). But what if you don't have kids, or nephews, or friends with kids or nephews? And what if you're curious to see how animals (if you consider humans to be quite boring) react to receiving Christmas presents. Well, the ABQ Biopark Zoo (903 10th Street SW) has got you covered. Head to their Holiday Enrichment event tomorrow at 9:30am to see some animals opening their Christmas presents. The keepers at the zoo will provide primates, cats and elephants with yuletide trinkets ranging from paper chains to decorated tubes to edible goodies and boxes wrapped in fine fashion. But the best part of this whole shebang is seeing how the animals react. Will the primates jump up and down? Will the cats stare at the presents with suspicion before they try to claim the box as their new home? Head to the enriching festivities and find out. And it's included with regular admission to the zoo, so there's more bang for your buck. ABQ BioPark Zoo • Sat Dec 21 • 9:30-11:30am • Included with admission • View on Alibi calendar

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It's time for President Obama's year-end news conference!

Who will save Blackberry?

Could our recent economic growth and rise in stocks lead toward a prosperous 2014?

It looks like Bertha found “the object.”

In case you're unemployed, Eclipse Aerospace might have a job for you.

Animals shelters around Albuquerque have asked people to stop bringing in animals because there's no room left.

A parent went into a classroom and threatened a student at Colinas Del Norte Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

A portland pup ate too many weed brownies and had to be taken to the vet. Poor guy couldn't handle the high.

• poor dog (sloppy) [ Fri Dec 20 2013 3:51 PM ]
  

 

Hey hop heads: This Saturday is the Winter Solstice, the darkest, longest night of the year. In preparation, Bird of Paradise (5409 Gibson SE) will be holding its first annual Dark Beer Festival tonight at 6pm, featuring a line up of black-barleyed libations for you to huddle up with while evil spirits stalk the pre-Solstice night outside. Flights of four different beers are $8 and include several special edition ales from brewers like Sierra Nevada and O'Dell.

Once you've slept off your courage stoking beer fix, you'll be ready for the Dark Matter Film Festival's Horror Bites! marathon at the Guild Cinema (3405 Central NE) on Saturday at 2pm. Horror Bites! will feature a collection of short horror and sci-fi films handpicked by such local luminaries as the Alibi's own Devin O'Leary.

View in Alibi calendar

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