And it’s a Merry Christmas from those fine folks over at 4AD… they’ve given up for grabs a FREE label sampler featuring some of the finest acts of the year. Those include TV on the Radio, Bon Iver, The Mountain Goats and It Hugs Back:

Go to this link to enjoy said treats: http://www.4ad.com/features/2008/

TV On The Radio “Golden Age” (taken from Dear Science)
Deerhunter “Nothing Ever Happened” (taken from Microcastle)
Department Of Eagles “No One Does It Like You” (taken from In Ear Park)
Anni Rossi “Ecology” (taken from Afton EP)
Stereolab “Neon Beanbag” (taken from Chemical Chords)
Atlas Sound “River Card” (taken from Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel)
It Hugs Back “Work Day” (taken from forthcoming album Inside Your Guitar)
Minotaur Shock “My Burr” (taken from Amateur Dramatics)
Johann Johannsson “Melodia (i)” (taken from Fordlandia)
Bon Iver “Skinny Love” (taken from For Emma, Forever Ago)
The Breeders “Bang On” (taken from Mountain Battles)
The Mountain Goats “Sax Rohmer #1″ (taken from Heretic Pride)

Ho ho ho!

Minotaur Shock is the nome de plume, or at the very least, nom-de-keyboard, whirry thing and beat pusher of self proclaimed ‘sad electronica hero’ Dave Edwards. For a variety of reasons this record will be released only online, with no physical format. In a somewhat bold move, Edwards has laid bare the reasons for this on his website, which are well worth reading. The gist being, he has a family to support, his music doesn’t make that much money, and by downloading for nothing it risks a small artists like him slipping off the books of a ‘supporting’ label (although one does wonder for an electronic artist such as Minotaur Shock, who tours irregularly, how much support they are giving.) and eventually not being able to afford to put out records anymore. Continue Reading