Play4me

Famous Friends Top 3s Of The Last 12 Months

2008-09-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Since we had such fun putting together our Top 3 Lists of the last 12 months, we invited some of our Famous Friends to partake as well - both by giving us lists, and by contributing to our blog. Check out all of our Famous Friends Top 3 Lists here, and have a look at some of the reasons why they chose their products below:

JONA WEINHOFEN'S (FROM I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN) TOP 3 CDS:

1. IN FLAMES - A SENSE OF PURPOSE:

In flames have always been a favourite of mine and while I love their complete discography it is of the opinion of many that IF's best works are 'colony' and 'clayman' and that after these records the bands material hasn't been at the same high standard. For me 'A Sense of Purpose' is a kick in the arse for anyone who thinks the band can't top their older works. This record is clearly a progression for In Flames and there are not many metal albums I can listen to from start to finish and enjoy every song but this is one I can.

Grab yourself a copy here

2. CITY & COLOUR - BRING ME YOUR LOVE

What can I say, Dallas Green has the voice of an angel and the songwriting and lyrical talent to go with it. This record is flawless! Anyone can enjoy this album, especially when you need to relax, unwind, or just want some accompanyment while doing some house work. Dallas has a way of making the same four or five accoustically strummed chords into an album full of mellowed out killer with no filler.

Grab yourself a copy here

3. MESHUGGAH - OBZEN

A similar scenario to In Flames, many consider the older works of meshuggah such as 'chaosphere' as the peak of their career in brutality. Well meshuggah just got a promotion, CEO of brutality! Obzen is one of the heaviest masterpieces I've ever heard. I'm not sure I've ever heard heavier production before, not to mention awesome, mind altering songs to go with it. Who needs to smoke weed when you can just listen to meshuggah, right?

Grab yourself a copy here

PINKY BEECROFT'S (FROM THE WHITE RUSSIANS) TOP 3 CDS:

1. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - THE BLOCK

Well it's been a long wait, but finally we can stop holding our collective breath. Handily titled, this fresh long-player from the New Kids just re-asserts their total blockness. Hmmmn.

Grab yourself a copy here

2. VARIOUS ARTISTS - MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU DRIVE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

This is a stunner. It's bold, it's eclectic, it's weird, it's cool. It's haughty enough to assume you drive home for Christmas, and if you don't, well, this album doesn't care. It's got Leadbelly, the Glass Hearts and the Butthole Surfers all on one record. But the highlight is Jim White doing "Christmas Day." Buy ten and give 'em out to the rellies. With love.

Grab yourself a copy here

3. WEEN - LA CUCARACHA

Yes OK it's nearly 12 months since this was released but goddamn it's still one of the best records of the last year. In fact it's one of the best records of any year.It's truckloads better than Quebec and probably better than Shinola too. In fact it's one of the best damn records Ween have made, and that's like describing a Tiger Woods golf shot as being one of the best damn shots Tiger Woods has done, it's like saying, boy, that punch Ali threw in the first round was probably up there with his best ever. For what is Ween but the Tiger Woods of rock, the Muhummad Ali of music, the essence of all that is good about our lives.

Grab yourself a copy here

ROBIN'S (FROM THE BOAT PEOPLE) TOP 3 CDS:

1. YEASAYER - ALL HOUR CYMBALS

I saw these guys at the Great Escape in Brighton UK and they're amazing. I never thought I would say this but they've made a song with fretless bass that I'm OK with - that's how good they are. Gabriel-free world music mixed with Brooklyn-backed cultural confidence and, dare I say it, a dash of Queen. A great headphone album that taps the secular spiritual.

Grab yourself a copy here

2. MY MORNING JACKET - EVIL URGES

If mixing the hard-touring Americana you've built your name on with some freaky Prince stylings is evil then evil me up!

Grab yourself a copy here

3. BLACK FRANCIS - SVN FINGERS

"I AM the great, SEUS!!! I am the great (seus) SEUS!!!" - trust me you'll be startling friends and relatives with that for weeks. This is a mini album but really with this amount of energy and good ideas, you won't need anything longer.

Grab yourself a copy here

DAVE HALEY'S (FROM RUINS & PSYCROPTIC ) TOP 3 RELEASES:

1. MOTLEY CRUE - THE DIRT (Book):

An amazing look at one of the world's most infamous bands - musicians around the world aspire to this level of debauchery, while parents around the world want to hide their children from it!!

Grab yourself a copy here

2. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT - SEASONS 1, 2 & 3 (DVD Box-Set):

Arrested development season 1, 2 and 3the best and most original comedy series ever! Every time I watch the show, it just gets funnier.

Grab yourself a copy here

3. BEHEMOTH - APOSTASY (CD):

Such a brutal and demanding album. It comands your attention, and takes you on a dark ride. Killer stuff

Grab yourself a copy here

PETE'S (FROM WELLYN) TOP 3 CDS:

1. BONNIE PRINCE BILLY - LIE DOWN IN THE LIGHT

Will Oldham has the ability to make you feel terribly alone and hopeless one moment and full of hope and joy the next. Sometimes, as is the case on most of this album, it happens all in one song.
Oldham's real strength lies in his amazing and captivating use of melody, and it's stronger than ever in this album, his best in years.

Grab yourself a copy here

2. CLINKERFIELD - A HEAD FULL OF RAIN & HEART FULL OF PUDDLES

Clinkers have been one of my favourite live bands for years now, and I'd been looking forward to this album's release for quite a while. It contains all the cathartic brilliance that make the live shows such a pleasure to watch, but also some unexpectedly tender moments.
Easily my favourite oz release so far this year.

Grab yourself a copy here

3. HOLLY THROSBY - A LOUD CALL

Not a day's gone by where I haven't listened to at least a few tracks from this album since I first picked it up.
Gorgeous, delicate little melodies are draped over fragile acoustic guitar lines, creating a tender home for Throsby's stunning lyrical adventures. I love it.

Grab yourself a copy here

Staff Top 3s!

2008-09-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

We've been racking our brains here at Play4me trying to put together our Top 3 Lists of CDs, DVDs, Games and Books that have come out in the last 12 months. It was a tough challenge, it caused a bit of blood, a lot of sweat and few tears. But we've all finally locked our picks in, check out all of our lists over here.

And below are some of the reasons why we love our Top 3s so much:

Annmarie's (Marketing & Running The World) Top 3 CDs:

1. HORSELL COMMON – THE RESCUE

One of THE hardest working bands in the country! Their debut album, The Rescue, celebrates the band’s gritty glory and brings the raw energy of their live performance to the studio. Horsell’s clever song structures and melodic groove make this album a repeat player. Standout tracks include “Automation”, “Annie, If You’re Listening”, “I’m Dead” and “Surgery”. Bonus points for a HOT singer!

Preview the album & buy it here

2. TRIAL KENNEDY – NEW MANIC ART

Another debut album from a bunch of Melbourne lads who travelled to the US to record. Brilliant guitar work, slammin bass and drums and a vocal that can only be described as stratospheric. Standout tracks include “Neighbours”, “Sunday Warning”, “War King” & “Mississippi Burn”. Bonus points for awesome artwork and the fact that they love hommus!

Preview the album & buy it here

3. GYROSCOPE – BREED OBSESSION

Perth lads do it again with another rocking album. Must say not quite up to the standard of “Are You Involved”, however Breed Obsession shows that you don’t need to play at 11 to have impact. Dan’s vocals on this album are top notch and as Aussie as that sounds, it doesn’t beat how Aussie proud Gyroscope are, which is evident on their single “Australia”. Other standouts include “All In One”, “Weapon. Enemy. Friend” & “These Days”.

Preview the album & buy it here

Anthea's (Newsletter & Blog Writer, Hand-dancer) Top 3 CDs:

1. PINKY BEECROFT & THE WHITE RUSSIANS - SOMETHIN' SOMEWHERE BETTER

Goodness me, Mr Beecroft has lots of different singing voices on this album.... He does gruff on the Blondie cover, "Call Me", he does poor-vodka-on-your-head style rawwwwwk on "This Hangover", he does sweet choir boy on "Floor" (which is my favourite, although I can't help but wonder about how his dance card is doing since he started singing "I might not be so good in bed, but I'm alright on the floor...."), he does sexy on "Scarlett", he does sugary pop on "This Song Has Only Got Happy Words"... Is he really just one person? I don't think he is. But I like 'em all. And I think its really interesting to listen to given how drastically different it sounds to his old band, Machine Gun Fellatio...

Preview the album & buy it here

2. THE MILLIONAIRES - SENTIMENTAL HORSES

A super grop of Australian indie heroes - David McCormack (Custard, The Polaroids, solo), Jim Elliot (The Cruel Sea) and Brendan Gallagher & Michael Galeazzi (both of Karma County). If this album had nothing on it except for the cover of "Faith", it'd still be amongst my favourites. But its got oodles more going for it as well - other standouts for me, "Girls On The Avenue", "Chicken Dance", "Since She Started To Ride". So much goodness. Its hard to do covers of songs like these without the album coming across as a novelty album. But they did it. Props to The Millionaires.

Preview the album & buy it here

3. THE BOAT PEOPLE - CHANDELIERS

I do love pianos. But, piano songs that you can also dance to - Well, that's just the best thing ever! And thus is the new album from The Boat People. They're about to head off to the US, I hope they become international superstars. Listening to the album, its not as obvious just how technically musically talented they are - you have to see them live to appreciate that I think. Favourites on this album are, "Born In The 80s" and "(You've Got A) Light Of Love" (yup, I like the dance-floor hits).

Preview the album & buy it here

Lauren's (Marketing & Whip Cracking) Top DVD:

1. The Mighty Boosh - Season 3

Pure genius, just like a Top Shop voucher, and not just becuase I have a massive crush on Howard Moon! The whimsical world that is the Mighty Boosh never fails to make me laugh, and this series setting of the Nabootique is wonderous. Look out for appearnaces by Gary Numan, the stationary village and a pesky crack fox!

Buy it here

See Lauren's full Top 3 DVD List here

Goodies

2008-09-04T17:21:00.001-07:00

As per usual, we have lots of goodies floating around Play4me HQ at the moment...:

We've been ranting and raving about the debut album from Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians for a while now. The album, Somethin' Somewhere Better is finally out (hip hip hooooray), its getting played constantly in our office and many of our beloved Play4me members have already ordered and received it. Wooohoooo.

What we might have left out in all of our raves in the lead up to the album being released, is that they're possibly even better live than they are on CD. For a short time only, we're giving away free tickets to see the White Russians live, with every purchase of their album made before the 14th of September.

The album features a couple of re-worked Machine Gun Fellatio songs as well as a whole bundle of new ones about topics like shagging, drinking, Scarlett Johannson, driving, more drinking... There's even a cover of Blondie's Call Me (complete with cowbell goodness). That description probably makes it sound like a party-bus mix kind of an album. Its not really, its a lot darker than that. In a good way. In a very good way.

For all the details of our White Russians offer and to preview the album, head on over here.

From another realm of Australian singer-songwriters is Josh Pyke. Since his 2005 EP, Feeding The Wolves - Josh has been a staple in the music-diet of many. His new album, Chimney's Afire (which he says is the cry whalers of yesteryear made when they harpooned a whale and a plume of blood and water spurted out of its blowhole into the air... ohh sexy) comes out on the 6th of October.

Have a squiz at the video clip of The Lighthouse Song, the first single off Chimney's Afire.

We've got copies of the album, signed by Josh Pyke himself. Order yours & preview the album here.

Gigs of 2008

2008-08-12T22:50:00.000-07:00

A few of us Play4me-sters went to see Band Of Horses last week. We all had a ball, and I have to admit to being a little chuffed that two different people told me separately that Ben Bridwell, the lead singer is like a male version of me (that comment was made because he says "WOO!" in exactly the same was as I do).

Band Of Horses played oodles of favourites off their albums Cease To Begin and Everything All The Time, plus we were treated to a few newies. Mr Bridewell was absolutely LOVELY to watch, he was so happy to be there! And even during the more melancholy numbers, he kept the little twinkle in his eye.

I kept watching the crowd as well, it was amazing watching a sea of people nodding their head in exactly the same way at exactly the same times.

Lauren (who works in marketing here at Play4me) said that Band Of Horses may well be her Gig Of 2008. Which has made me think about who the main contenders are for me...

Band of Horses are definitely up amongst the best gigs of the year so far. They're sitting pretty close to Ween and PJ Harvey on my list.

What are your favourite gigs of 2008 so far? The first 3 people to leave comments telling us will score a $5 Play4me Voucher! (Don't forget to leave your email address too).

Have a lil squiz at Band Of Horses' new clip, No One's Gonna Love You (More Than I Do):

Stock up on Band Of Horses albums (both in CD and Vinyl formats) here.

4 The Kids

2008-07-14T23:39:00.000-07:00

Because we love to teach our children well here at Play4me, we've put together some videos of our favourite artists doing songs 4 kids!

Feist has recently appeared on Sesame Street singing a new version of 1-2-3-4 (thankfully, for all of the younger viewers, she's amended the "5, 6, 9 and 10" part of this ditty so as not to confuse any children taking notes on how to count to 4).

Have a squiz at the appearance below, it's pretty cute! There are certainly a few of us who work at Play4me who'd love the chance to dance with the Sesame Street crew. (Honest, please email info@play4me.com.au if you'd have us :-)

The original of this song appears on her Reminder album. Grab your copy, or listen to a preview of the album here.

Another favourite band here is New York funsters, They Might Be Giants. Over the years they've produced a few CDs and DVDs for the younger members of society. Since we've shown Feist teaching kids how to count above, here's They Might Be Giants teaching kids the alphabet (and a bit about geography too):

To stock up on your They Might Be Giants goodies, head on over here.

And then... From the less-informative world of Children's entertainment by our favourite rock and pop stars... There's the timeless movie, Labyrinth. It may not have taught us much that you'd find in a text book, but I can think of many a person who attributes their love of rock music, tight-pants and big hair to watching The Labyrinth as a child.

Here's our highlight:

Grab Labyrinth on DVD here, or get the soundtrack here, or check out all of our David Bowie goodies here (note: there's a lot on special!)

Have you got a favourite kids song by a performer who usually has an older audience? Let us know, leave us a comment with your email address and you might win a Play4me voucher for your efforts!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...

2008-07-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy when all your favourite albums of the moment, and all the albums you're most excited about hearing are Australian?

We're feeling so Aussie right now that... who knows, maybe we'll go crack open some tinnies and set up a BBQ.

Here are some of the most exciting CDs out at the moment, and some of the most exciting upcoming titles, all Australian, all bloody beeeaaaaauuuties!

Youth Group - Night Is Ours

The Youth Group lads have returned with their fourth album. And to celebrate that, we've got signed copies available! WOO!

Have a preview listen of the album and grab your copy here

The Boat People - Chandeliers

It's no secret that we love a bit of indie piano pop here at Play4me. And the Boat People are amongst the best at that. This is the highly anticipated follow up to their Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes album. It contains the song with the much-talked-about video clip, Awkward Orchid Orchard...:

Orders yours now from Play4me and you'll get a free Boat People badge (and they're really pretty, honest - they're everything you want from a badge ).

Have a preview listen to the album and grab your copy here.

The Grates - Teeth Lost, Hearts Won

Speaking of Brisbane bands with spectacular video clips, The Grates are about to release their second full length album which contains the single with the brightest film clip of the year so far, Burn Bridges. Have a lil squiz:

Order your from Play4me and you'll get a copy signed by the crazy Brisbane kids.

Pre Order yours now

The Vines - Melodia

The stage-trashing, guitar-breaking boys have returned! Melodia comes out on Monday and goodness we're excited!

If you're as excited as we are, order yours now - you'll get free shipping AND a signed a copy!

Order yours now

The Living End - White Noise

Ahhh the Aussie band that has come out with many-an-anthem for young rockers around the country. Everyone has a memory to associate with Prisoner Of Society (I remember going on a school excursion many moons ago when it came out, and spontaneously the whole bus-full of school kids started singing it... Those poor teachers...), then there was Second Solution, Save The Day, Roll On, Pictures In The Mirror... So many!

Grab their latest album now and you'll get a bonus guitar pick! Ohh so rock n roll!

Pre Order Yours Now

FREE SHIPPING FOR 24 HOURS!

2008-07-01T21:08:00.000-07:00

Pssssst, here's a secret little deal just for you blog readers. Get FREE SHIPPING for 1 day only!

To claim this offer, just type the code BLOGSHIP into the promotional code box on the shopping cart page.

Head over here to start shopping!

*Free shipping applies to orders shipped within Australia only
*Free shipping does not apply to Gaming Hardware or to DVD Large Box Sets
*The deal was active at the time of publishing, the promo code will be disabled at 9am AEST Friday the 4th of July

And, here are some current offers that we're all excited about over here in Play4me land:

RED Hot Newbies

2008-06-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

You know you've made it as a band when you're a hit in the Play4me office.

Here are 2 of our most loved albums of the moment. We like the music, we're not just big fans of the colour red, honest..:

Weezer - The Red Album:

What a happy day it was when this was released! Weezer have released some doozies in their time which makes it harder to judge their new album fairly, because you inevitably compare it with Pinkerton and The Blue Album. Shockingly, The Red Album holds its own in such company.

There are a few questionable lyrics in this album (see the track, "I Am The Greatest Man That Ever Lived") but it's almost as if they're doing it intentionally. Listening to the album - everytime that I think "who thought that line was a good idea?", some spectacular Weezer-esque harmonies kick in and I think "who cares? Awww listen to Weezer go!"

Favourite tracks on The Red Album are: Troublemaker, Pork & Beans (the lead single with the video clip that the whole internet is talking about, check it out here), Dreamin' and Heart Songs. Oh Weezer, us Play4mesters love you. And Rivers Cuomo you're right when you sing, "everyone likes to dance to a happy song, with a catchy chorus and beats so they can singalong" in Pork & Beans. That's why we love Weezer.

Preview the album and/or buy it here

Skybombers - Take Me To Town

These Melbourne boys have come a long way. They're young and they're hot and they play rock n roll. They can pull off saying things like "here we go, rock n roll!"And I want them to take over the world.

It wasn't that long ago that I saw the Skybombers play in front of 15 people at various Melbourne venues, now they're international superstars (thanks mainly to LA radio station Indie 103.1)!

Take Me To Town is a classic rock album; it has songs to air guitar to, it has a ballad for a crowd to wave lighters from side to side to, lots of guitar shredding and just listening to it - you can feel the mid-guitar-solo-rock-jumps.

Preview the album and/or buy it here

PLAY4ME'S MID YEAR SALE!

2008-06-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Its June. Which means everyone has started saying things like, "Ohhhh! Can you believe it is June already?" and "Where did the year go?" and "This year has gone by so fast". Not us, we're just saying, "Its Mid Year time, let's have a SAAAAAALE!"

We've got oodles of DVDs, TV on DVD Box Sets, CDs, Games and Books on sale. Prices start at only $4.95. Good golly, that is cheap. Check 'em all out here.

Some of our favourites from the sale are:

Baywatch - Season 1 and Season 2 are only $8.95 each (which is a whopping saving of $30.90!)

Take yourself back to The Hoff's glory days with Baywatch.

The boys in the office have also asked me to remind you of Pamela Anderson's extrodinary ability to run in slow motion. Yep, there was many a talent on Baywatch.

Grab your copy now and you can watch all 21 episodes of season 1, and all 22 episodes of season 2 again and again and again.

Grab your copy now
Browse more DVDs Under $10 or more TV on DVD on Sale

Jindabyne - now only $14.95

Australian murder mystery with a soundtrack by Paul Kelly. What more could you want from a film?

Grab your copy now
Browse more DVDs under $20

Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five - now only $8.95

Oh Ben Folds. I love you. And, this is one of his best. Its got the hit that indie geeks around the world fell in love with, that completely sums up Folds as a performer, Underground. This album has 3 songs that would probably make my Top 50 Favourite Songs Of All Time: Philosophy (I go nuts for a piano solo), Sports & Wine and The Last Polka.

Grab your copy now
Browse more CDs under $10

Grinderman - Grinderman - now only $12.95

This is my favourite album of 2007! It is spectacular! It has been a while since Nick Cave let his rock-side out to play and it was well worth the wait. As well as being my favourite album of the year, this album also lead to my favourite gig of 2007 (the Nick Cave & Grinderman tour). Honest, this album is hotttttt.

Grab your copy now
Browse more CDs under $20

Check out the whole Play4me Mid Year Sale Here.

BOOKS 4 YOU (AND 4 US)

2008-05-27T22:35:00.000-07:00

Us play4mesters have been rugging up and hiding from the cold lately with BOOKS to keep us company. For your browsing pleasure we've recently set up a BOOK FUN 4 YOU page which shows selections of Must-Reads, Oprah's Book Club Titles, Fiction Books By Muso Authors, Prize Winning Books and much, much more. Check 'em all out here.

All of us over here are eagerly anticipating the new Sex & The City book which coincides with the release of the new Sex & The City movie. And, because we LOVE to be self indulgent, here are some of our favourite reads of recent times:

Anthea (Marketing / Newsletter & Blog writer / Hand Dancer) loved Things The Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett:

Mark Oliver Everett (better known as E from the band, Eels) has written an autobiography. Autobiographies are dangerous territory as they're the ultimate form of self indulgence, however E pulls it off perfectly. Admittedly, he has had a more interesting and dramatic life than you're average "rockstar". There's a lot of death, a lot of sadness and a lot of depression in his story, but its all told in such a humorous and humble way. And, it must be hard to convey such humbleness when telling your life story.
This autobiography reads much like an Eels album is heard: its depressing as hell but at the same time its oddly uplifting and kind of beautiful in an ugly sort of a way. I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

Buy your copy now

Lauren (Marketing / Whip Cracker) loved Strangeland by Tracey Emin:

Tracey Emin, best know for her dirty bedsheets, recounts her childhood living in the sleepy British seaside town of Margate, amongst other fantasmagorical tales. This is more like a series of short stories, pieced together to give a sometimes autobiographical account of her life and times. In parts seeming more fiction than fact, it wasn't quite as gritty as I'd hoped for, but worth a page turn.

Buy your copy now

Joanne (Books Product Manager / Knitting Extraordinaire) loved Monsters Of Templeton by Lauren Groff:

This book is centred around a small town with a vast and interesting history which surrounds mainly one family and their secrets. Willie is the latest generation of this family who comes home from University in disgrace. As she deals with with her own sorrow of a lost love affair, and potentially a new child, she discovers her family's sordid secrets from the past, fuelled by the search for her real father. Through her research she discovers much more than the family secrets in the many chapters of the town's history.

I really enjoyed the way the author tied the historical aspects of the story to the present through Willie's endeavour to find her parentage. She brings to life characters from the past that are believable and engaging. She also includes the myths and superstitions of past eras by introducing a monster in the lake, not unlike the Loch Ness Monster. This monster, though fanciful, brings the entire story together and so much of the family's lives are tied to the life of the monster. The small town setting of this story both endears me to it and makes me recoil at the same time. Like Willie I found myself cringing at the small town behaviours and attitudes and yet looking forward to the character's support and care for her when she needed it. A great read.

Buy your copy now

Daniel C (Customer Service / Resident Movie Buff) loved Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis:

A good friend recommended this one to me, saying it was first time she'd been too afraid to read a book at home alone. If a character based loosely based on Easton Elis' sordid past isn't frightening enough, this genre hopping, tension building page turner, also mixes in a large dose of supernatural horror.

Buy your copy now

Play4me's DVD Sale!

2008-05-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggers!

Some of my favourite DVDs EVER are on sale over at Play4me at the moment. Most of them can be found over here. But there are a few other favourites that are extra cheap at the moment that I want to tell you all about.

Little Miss Sunshine

As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the few movies that actually deserves all of the hype that surrounds it. It's just so... So luffly! And funny. And clever. But unfortunately, with a movie that's been discussed so much - its hard to say anything new about it. So, all that's left to say is - it's cheap at the moment. You can buy a copy from Play4me for only $14.95!

Buy now for only $14.95

Superbad

First, I should confess that I have a weird crush on little George Michael (Michael Cera... Who's character in Superbad is actually named Evan, but he'll always be George Michael from Arrested Development to me). I can't explain why I have said crush or where it came from, but by golly he can make me giggle. He's the quintessential awkward teenage boy, no one plays that character better than him. Sure, you can ramble about how he's been type-cast and he can only play one character, BUT - again, no one does it better!

So, Superbad... the movie uses some teenage movie, gross-out comedy style techniques whilst still staying surprisingly true to life. Yes, ridiculous things happen - but it seems more realistic than in movies that Superbad could be compared to like Road Trip and American Pie. For example, the boys all have a big night out that will no doubt change them forever. In this night out, they go to 2 different parties... And I swear to you - I went to BOTH of those parties when I was in high school!

Plus, the girls in the movie are genuinely likable and attractive. Usually teen movies have blonde, stupid girls as the ones that all the boys are after. In Superbad, the girls are still stunning but they're also intelligent and while watching the movie, I thought "yeah, if I was a 17 year old boy - I'd have a crush on them too".

Other highlights were the sex scene ("Yeah, they said that would happen in health class" - teehee) and the scene where little George Michael sings. Again, teehee!

Buy Superbad now for only $21.95

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Since I've already started making confessions in this blog, I'll continue. I should just put it out there that I went to drama school. Because of that, its no surprise that Rocky Horror is one of my favourite movies of all time. If, like me - you've got the soundtrack, you've been to a midnight session of the film somewhere and you've been known on occasion to bust out "Sweet Transvestite" at a karaoke night - then, clearly the 25th Anniversary DVD is a must have for you.

Buy now for only $14.95

Other highlights from our current DVD sale include:

Walk The Line - buy now for only $14.95

Entourage - Season 1 - buy now for only $28.95

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - buy now for only $14.95

Now for the boring bit,

Please remember that all of the products mentioned here were on sale at the time this was written... But this is a blog - and we don't delete posts... So, by the time you're reading this - they may no longer be on sale... But they might be - so you should check 'em out. :-)

PS: Go on, have a lil look at him!

Upcoming CDs That Play4me Hearts

2008-05-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

If you're an avid play4me visitor, then you will have noticed that we now have Top 10 Upcoming CDs and DVDs charts up on the site.

So, I thought I'd talk you through why we're so excited about some of the upcoming CDs:

Ladytron - Velocifero (out 2nd June):

Indie dance favourites Ladytron are baaaaaaack! Gosh, just writing "Ladytron" has put their 2003 song Seventeen in my head... And now it'll be there all day.

Not only do Ladytron have a new album out in June, but they're also paying us Australians a visit in October. Ohh ahhh!

Pre order your copy now

Dresden Dolls - No, Virginia (out 19th May):

As the name suggest, this is the companion album for their last release Yes, Virginia. Its got 5 new tracks on it plus a cover of the Psychedelic Furs classic, "Pretty In Pink".

I remember when I first heard Coin Opperated Boy (off their self titled album). I remember instantly being inspired to pantomime. Later, when my friends and I all knew every word to it - I came up with a theory that a girl's favourite line from that song said a lot about her and what she wants from a relationship.
Such as:
My friend Rhiannon liked "I can even take him in the bath" the best (clearly that makes her a little minx)
My friend Christine liked, "saying that he loves me and he's thinking of me, straight and to the point..." (she just wants to be loved)
And then there was my favourite line, "will you persist even after I bet you a million dollars that I'll never love you?" (I guess that suggests that I'm... not a very good person to be interested in).

What new insights on life will the Dresden Dolls have on this new album? We'll have to wait and see.

Pre order your copy now

So Fresh - The #1s (Out 19th May):

POP fans in Australia LOVE the So Fresh range. And this is an interesting one, featuring number 1 hits from the 1990's and the naughties. It has songs to make you dance and bodyroll like Britney's Toxic and JT's Rock Your Body.

Then there are a few surprise entries in this one - songs that most of us had forgotten about like TATU's All The Things She Said, Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag and Alien Ant Farm's Michael Jackson cover, Smooth Criminal.

Lotsa hits, lotsa fun.

Pre order your copy now

Trial Kennedy - New Manic Art (out 2nd June):

If you get the Play4me newsletter or a regular blog reader, then you've already read my rants about Melbourne rockers Trial Kennedy. We all love them here at Play4me, they're finally releasing their debut full length album and we hope that they take over the world.

Head over here for your chance to win a massive Trial Kennedy and Macbeth Footwear prize pack.

Pre order your copy now

PLAY4ME PICKS: Top 5 Upcoming CDs!

2008-04-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

There's been recent discussion over at out new Facebook page about the quality of new CD releases at the moment... Well, this has inspired me to put together a list of our Top 5 Upcoming CDs that we're most excited about at the moment:

1. Portishead: Third

Almost everyone has a Portishead story. Can you remember the first time you heard Glory box? I can. The album Dummy is a staple in any CD collection, its one of those timeless albums - it didn't sound like anything else when it came out in '94 and in 2008 it still doesn't.

Every year since it came out I revisit it. I feel like my feelings towards Dummy have changed over the last 10 years to the point where I can look back at each year and think something like, "In 2004, I lived in that house, with those people, I was working at that job and at that point hearing Dummy made me sad and reminded me of that person", or "in 1998, Dummy relaxed me, I went to sleep listening to it almost every night" etc...

Their third album, aptly titled "Third" comes out on the 28th of April. And none of us Play4mesters can wait!

Order yours now

2. Madonna: Hard Candy

Everyone DOES have a Madonna story (more so than Portishead even). Did you dance with your high school sweetheart to Crazy For You at your school formal? Did you get a bit silly once and sing Like A Virgin at a karaoke bar? When you're home alone, do you secretly sing Don't Cry For Me Argentina at the top of your voice into your hairbrush? Do you get a little teary when This Used To Be My Playground plays in A League Of Their Own (the later is just me, isn't it)?

Whether you'd call yourself a Madonna fan or not, almost everyone is interested to hear what she'll do next. Hard Candy comes out on the 28th of April too.

Order yours here

3. Flight Of The Conchords: Flight Of The Conchords

Grammy award winning Kiwis, Flight of the Conchords have a new album of folky, poppy hilarity out tomorrow! We've had a sneak preview listen and its fantastic! Have a little listen yourself over here. And, if you order your copy now - you'll get a free badge and sticker.

Order yours here

4. The Audreys: When The Flood Comes

Fresh faced ARIA award winners The Audreys are back! We've had a little sneak preview listen to this one too and confirm that Audreys fans will not be disappointed. Have a listen here. The album comes out on the 21st of April.

Order yours here

5. Shihad: Beautiful Machine

Imagine rock music in Australia without Shihad! I can't remember a time when Shihad weren't playing gigs all over town. Their seventh album, Beautiful Machine is out on the 19th of May. We've heard it and can testify that its everything you want from a Shihad album. For a preview listen, head on over here. Beautiful Island is available as a standard single disc edition and as a limited edition double CD.

Order yours here

If you want to see our full Top 10 list of Upcoming CDs, head on over here.

V-Festival

2008-04-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

A few of us Play4me-sters headed over to Melbourne's V-Festival on Saturday. The V-Fest line-up included acts like: Robyn, Hot Hot Heat, Duran Duran, The Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus & Mary Chain, Roisin Murphy, Modest Mouse, The Presets, CSS, Queens Of The Stone Age and Air.

The first person to comment and tell us who their V-Festival highlight was and why, will score a $5 play4me voucher. Don't forget to leave your email address. Alternatively, if you didn't go - tell us who you would have liked to have seen the most.

Because we LOVE to tell you about ourselves, here are our favourites from Saturday:

Anthea hearted HOT HOT HEAT the most:

I was honestly a bit scared about seeing Hot Hot Heat play in 2008. I last saw them play in 2005 and it was probably my favourite gig of that year. It was one of those nights where every part of my night was brilliant. So, when looking back - I wondered whether the band were actually as good as I thought they were, or if I just had a great night which made them seem spectacular.

So, I was worried that seeing them again could potentially tarnish that memory. But, that was not the case at all! They made me remember how much I loved them. Its a cliche to talk about how much "on-stage energy" a band has, but it has to be said about Hot Hot Heat. Their singer, Steve Bays is a little firecracker on stage! He (and his hair) bounced all around the stage, inspiring the crowd to indulge in some indie-kid stlye dancing with their hands above their heads (this was most notable during "Bandages")... And then to air-cowbell during their cowbell fuelled number, "Talk To Me, Dance With Me"... And then to panto'-dance during "Goodnight, Goodnight".....

Five starts to Hot Hot Heat from me! They made me remember how fun it is to be an indie-kid.

(NB: When I've referred to "the crowd" dancing, I might've just meant me)

Steve hearted ROBYN the most:

Having seen Robyn perform twice before in the past six months, I wasn't expecting anything new from the Swedish queen of cool, but in her usual fashion, she was full of surprises! Smack bang in the middle of playing the hits from her 2005 (released in Oz in late 2007) self titled album, the pop dynamo got her sass on and performed a medley of tracks - Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance", Salt n' Pepa's "Push It" and her latest collaboration with US rapper Snoop Dogg "Sexual Eruption". While the medley was definitely a highlight for me, the show stopper was her worldwide hit "With Every Heartbeat" complete with no chorus and big swirling string section which erupted blissfulness. She certainly knows what it takes.

Daniel hearted QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE the most:

The last time I saw Queens of the Stone Age, I copped a stray boot to the head from a lovely chap crowd surfing. Whilst I can't remember much of it, my friends tell me it was, apparently, one of the best festival sets I have ever seen. So it was with high expectation that I headed toward that (or was it this?) stage - joining Josh Homme and co. already a couple of songs into a ripping set. QOTSA sure didn't disappoint. Little Sister and Feel Good Hit Of The Summer definite highlights - with plenty of tracks from Era Vulgaris, Rated R and Songs For the Deaf peppering the set list.

Lauren hearted ROISIN MURPHY the most:

You know what makes us happy here at Play4me, aside from chocolate and salt 'n' vinegar chips? Aha, yup - costume changes. Costume changes of the highest order. And thank god for Roisin Murphy, who was a clear stand out at V Festival 2008 and probably the only performer to don more than one outfit during her barely there performance on Saturday. She accessorised like a champion moving between visors, wooly coats, bondage-esque tassles and spherical head pieces that would make Philip Treacy stand up and take note. But more impressive was her fancy footwork and amazing live vocals. Touring on the back of her 2nd album, Overpowered, the set was a good mix of old vs. new. Opening with the Moloko track, Cannot Contain This, she also belted out a few tunes from her first album, Ruby Blue, much to the delight of the Matthew Herbert fans in the audience. In a word - show stopper.

Newbies That Are Hits 'Round Here

2008-04-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the new releases that are getting flogged in the Play4me HQ this month...:

The Anthems (Various Artists)

This is a true selection of modern "indie" classics. I've done a fair bit of DJ-ing at Melbourne's Indie clubs and I think from now on, I will have this on hand everytime I DJ. This CD is a perfect representation of the songs most commonly requested at said indie club nights.

It features the obvious ones:

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot

The Killers - Mr Brightside
The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
LCD Soundsystem - Datf Punk Is Playing At My House

And the less obvious choices:

Modest Mouse - Dashboard (I think this should've been number 1 on Triple J's lattest Hottest 100 - it is everything that an indie anthem should be)
The Doves - Pounding
The Prodigy - Voodoo People

The Zutons - Valerie

And then, the second disc concludes perfectly with David Bowie's Heroes. What a perfect song to have your final dance/pantomime to at 3am when the club is closing and you know it's now time to go home...

Grab your copy here

Soundwave 2008 (Various Artists)

Play4me was well represented at this year's Soundwave Festival, oodles of us who work here headed over to this year's festival with our horns raised. Relive the highs of the festival by whacking the CD on and listening to bands like:

The Offspring
Alexisonfire
Carpathian
Killswitch Engage

Don't forget to put your horns up even if you're just listening at home - you've gotta stay true to Soundwave.

Grab your copy here

Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

Indie pop rock greats, Supergrass who brought us all such dance-floor joy with hits like "Pumping On Your Stereo", "Alright" and "Caught By The Fuzz" have returned! They get a little more raw and dirrrrrty on this one than usual. You can almost head the squelching of pub carpet sticking to shoes in the background on Diamond Hoo Ha.
I do get excited when bands can continue their career for as long as Supergrass, good on 'em I say. I'm glad to be on a planet that has embraced Supergrass so much.

Grab your copy & listen to the album here

Eels - Meet The Eels: Essential Eels

The Eels are one of my favourite bands in the world and I can't wait to see them when they return down under at the end of April. This collection of Eels hits is perfect for those ready to discover them, and the accompanying DVD is perfect for those (like me) who want to know more about them and about Mr E.

The CD has a good mix of songs released over the many years that they've been making music including the live (with strings) version of Dirty Girl, which is so amazing that it makes me contemplate giving up everything because I'll never be as good at anything as the Eels are at making music.

On the DVD, Mr E provides audio commentary (while regularly pausing to ask his dog to share his thoughts too). Its dangerous territory when artists critique their own work - quite often, you just want them to create it and leave it as is (are you reading this Eskimo Joe? Sweater was your greatest song - stop denying it!) but other times, its reassuring and hilaaarious. Hearing Mr E talk about how he regrets ever calling himself "Mr E" and how much he hates the "Susan's House" video - is brilliant. He just gets to.

Grab your copy & listen to the album here

Foals - Antidotes

To believe, or not to believe...that truly is the question regarding The Foals, the latest must-hear band outta the UK. That which we call the UK hype-machine (aka The British Music Press) has been in overdrive since mid-last year, reporting, retorting and rallying behind the Oxford quintet, and finally the debut album has arrived. Antidotes has been described as math-rock, puzzle-pop, and new-wave dance rock pop - who'd have guessed that there could be any more 'super-genres' in the world. But us Play4Me folk reckon it's just good ol' pop music, the kind that makes you want to get up and wiggle your hips and twinkle your toes. Make special note of Balloons, the first single off the album which may just be a contender for single of the year.

Grab your copy here

Guilty Pleasures...

2008-03-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered that 2 of my all-time favourite "comfort movies" are on sale at the moment: A League Of Their Own and Suddenly 30.

A League Of Their Own is the movie that I've seen more than any other in the world. It's the one that if I'm sick and can't sleep at night - I put it on. It's the movie where the end makes me cry every time I see it. I'm not the crying type at all (honest!) It's not even a sad movie, nothing sad happens in the end - but I just get so caught up in the baseball game that they're playing and... and... when it finishes and one sister beats the other one - every time, even though I know exactly what's going to happen - I shed a little tear*.

I know that I have to watch A League Of Their Own on my own, I can't have any company when I indulge in it for 3 reasons:

1. Because I don't want to hear anyone else's judgements on the film (I know it's not going to change the world and I know it's not Shakespeare, OK?)
2. Because I can't stop myself from saying all of the lines along with them (yes, I do mean ALL of the lines)
3. Because I do NOT want to be sprung crying in a Madonna movie. Especially not one that is in no way sad.

A League Of Their Own is currently on sale on DVD for only $10.95. I've finally upgraded to the DVD from my over-watched VHS copy. If you want a copy too, head over to Play4me. And remember, if you don't like it - I don't want to know about it.

My other somewhat guilty pleasure is Suddenly 30. The collector's edition is currently on sale for only $14.95.

Suddenly 30 isn't quite as close to my heart as A League Of Their Own, but any movie that includes a Thriller dance-off gets bonus stars from me.

My favourite scene in the film, is where Jennifer Garner's character (who is really 13 year old girl in a 30 year old's body - who made a wish on her 13th birthday that she could skip her awkward years and be "30, flirty and thriving") is talking to a group of real 13 year olds girls. One of them is really down on herself because she has braces and Garner's character says something like,

"What is that attitude?! We are young, heartache to heartache, we stand..."
and then all the 13 year olds look at her and they say "WOW, that's deep!"

As if that wasn't enough, in a few scenes - they all have a dance-off to Love Is A Battlefield... And everytime I see it, I applaud.

Any film that references Pat Benatar like that gets 5 stars from me even though it would seem that I'm significantly older than their target demographic. Although, the premise suggests that it should be a movie for 13 year old girls, but the amount of 1980's references makes it a hit with all.... people a bit older than 13 who can't quite let go of their childhood.

For these movies and oodles more that or on sale, head over to our SALE page.

*In actual fact, I may shed more than a single tear.
*These prices won't stay this low forever

Full Of Eggs & Singles

2008-03-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh I keep rubbing my tummy because it is still so full of Easter Eggs. One day I'll learn when to say, "No thank you, even though that chocolate Easter Bunny looks like it will be delicious in a completely different way to all of the other eggs/bunnies that I've had today and even though the rabbit has a cute little bell around its neck - I'm actually quite full so I should decline." Next year. That's when I'll learn.

Over the long weekend, I noticed a new facebook group called "If They Stop Making CD Singles, You Might As Well Kill Me". So, I've been inspired to write a little about some new and old singles and EPs.

First up is Play4me favourites, Trial Kennedy! Their new single, Neighbours is out on the 31st of March and we're a wee bit excited about this in the Play4me office. The song itself was the number 1 most played song on Triple J a few weeks ago, and the single contains an extra B-Side and video. Ohhh ahh! That's everything that you want from a single!

The Smashing Pumpkins who are visiting us down under very soon, have just released a new acoustic EP too, American Gothic. Get in quick if you want this, sadly EPs don't usually last too long.

Other upcoming singles/EPs that we're looking forward to around here:

Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me
Nick Skitz Featuring Melissa Tkautz - I Want Your Love
Fragma - Toca's Miracle 08
Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
Pete Murray - You Pick Me Up

Because we like to encourage a bit of self indulgence at Play4me, I've put together a list of some of my favourite EPs from the last while (you can listen to some of these over at Play4me and you can buy them all). So, in no particular order:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is EP
Go You Huskies EP
Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians EP
Skybombers - Sirens EP
Splendid - States Of Awake EP
Darren Hanlon - Early Days EP
The Panda Band - Sleepy Little Death Toll Town EP
The Suits - International School Of Dance EP
The Go Team - Wrath Of Marcie EP

What EPs do you own that are essential to your collection? The first 3 people to let us know their favourites (and give us their email addresses) will get a $5 voucher! Ohhh you can buy any single in the current ARIA chart for that!

WANT A BITE OF OUR EASTER EGG?

2008-03-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Easter is almost here! Which means a 4 day weekend in Australia and for most of us, it means some family time is approaching. For us Play4me-sters, it means its an excuse to discount lots of little treats 4 you!

We've got CDs for Under $10, CDs for Under $15, DVDs for Under $10, DVDs for Under $20, TV on DVD for CHEAP, Games on Sale and Easter Themed Books 4 YOU!

Stock up so that after a weekend of family-fun, you can kick back and unwind on your own. Have a squiz at all of our EASTER SALE things HERE.

Also, here's a little bit of advice for our blogging friends - make sure you're signed up to the Play4me Newsletter because there might be an extra Easter Treat for you this week... Shhhhh!

In completely unrelated news, Prince is reportedly getting a hip replacement... This is devastating news for us at Play4me. Apparently he won't be able to move in the same way ever again... Imagine Prince without his bumping and grinding ability... Ohhh no, actually don't imagine that at all. It's too sad. Prince, we love you. And, if I thought that giving you my hip would fix everything... Well, I just might do it.
If you want to see Prince before his dysfunctional hip kicked in, check out the 20th Anniversary Edition of Purple Rain (honest, no DVD collection is complete without it - the way he moves around on top of the speaker while singing Darling Nikki makes it hard to believe that he's a mere mortal), or have a look at his New Years Eve concert DVD - Rave Un2 The Year 2000.... By golly, that short, short man certainly could move!

Until next time,
Play4me

Getting To Know You....

2008-02-28T20:03:00.000-08:00

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

Because we all love a good question and answer, we thought we'd take this opportunity to tell you a little about ourselves.

Join the fun and play with us too, let us know what you're listening to, what you're reading and what you're watching at the moment and if we think your answer is tops - we'll send you over a $5 Play4me voucher! Ohhh ahhh! Imagine being rewarded for self indulgence..! That sounds TOPS!

So, gather round and let's get to know each other.

Anthea (Marketing/Newsletter & Blog writer):

what are you listening to now?
Sons & Daughters - This Gift (they make me very, very happy. And they're one of the greatest live bands ever.)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus!!! Dig!!! (Nick Cave can do no wrong - honest, NO WRONG)
And, since seeing PJ last week, I've been revisiting all of PJ Harvey's albums.
Oh! OH! AND WEEEEEEEEN! Lots of WEEN!

what are you reading at the moment?
JT Leroy - The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

what are you watching at the moment?
All seasons of Arrested Development (I have a big fat soft spot for Michael Cera)

Steve (Marketing/Organising lots of Play4me's competitions):

what are you listening to now?
Seal "System"
what are you reading at the moment?
Tess Gerritsen "The Mephisto Club"
what are you watching?
"The Henderson Kids: Season 1"

Lauren (Marketing/Cracking the whip):

what are you listening to now?
My Disco - Paradise
The Foals - Antidotes
The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath
Ween - Bit of back cat action
Ike & Tina Turner - Proud Mary
Roisin Murphy - Overpowered

what are you reading at the moment?
Big Sur by Jack Kerouac
Fargo Rock City - Chuck Klosterman(again!!!!)
The Gum Thief - Douglas Coupland

what are you watching?
Inland Empire
The Mighty Boosh S3 (Watch this space!)
Back to the Future Trilogy (Essentail fortnightly viewing!)
Princess Mononoke

Daniel C (Customer Service/Big smiles):

what are you listening to now?
Vampire Weekend - self titled - I like any band that draws a comparison to Paul Simon.

what are you reading at the moment?
Cinema Now - by Andrew Bailey: Examines the work of 60 of the top film makers of today. Featuring Pedro Almodovar, Wong Kar-Wai and Sofia Coppola

what are you watching?
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Volume 2 - Perhaps the only television show to bring an American city to a stand still over bomb scare

Tracy (Customer Service/Blowing Rasberries):

what are you listening to now?
CAN - Tago Mago , Future Days, Delay 1968 , Saw Delight
Neu - 2
Monks - Demo Tapes 1965
Kraftwerk - Computer World, Trans Europe Express, Minimum maximum
(and when I feel like punishing myself).....Julian Cope - Floored Genius and Jehovakill

what are you reading at the moment?
Dostoevsky - Crime and Punishment (on the way to work) and Steinbecks "Grapes of Wrath" (after hours)

what are you watching?
Sopranos - the final episodes

Hannah (Customer Service/Raising Her Horns):

what are you listening to now?
Blasting out of my work computer at the moment: IRON MAIDEN - NUMBER OF THE BEAST \m/\m/
Other CDs that have tickled my fancy - MUDHONEY - SUPERFUZZ BIGMUFF PLUS EARLY SINGLES and EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING

what are you reading at the moment?
TOLKIEN, J. R. R. - HOBBIT An oldie but a goodie!!!

what are you watching?
ALMOST FAMOUS / DOORS

Now go on, play with us too! Tell us yours!

IT'S ALL HAPPENING!

2008-02-25T15:46:00.000-08:00

2 months into 2008 and this year is already sooo frickin' exciting! We're so excited by everything that's going on in the entertainment world at the moment that we thought it was worth starting a blog so that we can rave about it all. And so that we could offer you some extra deals and giveaways (oh my, it's just like a secret society!)

Band wise, so many of the greatest performers in the world have already paid us Aussies a visit. Just recently those of us in the Play4me office were bickering over which show was going to be better out of PJ Harvey and Sonic Youth (just quietly, I still don't know how anyone could have put on a better show than PJ did). Conveniently, we have selected PJ titles and Sonic Youth Titles on sale for a very limited time at the moment.

Speaking of PJ v Sonic Youth, congratulations to Maralice who won our Newsletter comp recently, we sent her a $5 voucher for picking that I was clearly a bigger PJ fan than a Sonic Youth one. If you haven't already, you should subscribe to our newsletter so that you'll have access to similar exclusive comps and giveaways and so that you can get a whole bundle of new release info emailed straight to you. Aww go on, its worth it! Honest.

Other majorly exciting performers to pop down under this year have been Kanye West, Iron Maiden, The Rapture (no one makes us Play4me folk chair-dance quite like The Rapture do), Feist, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Killswitch Engage, Rage Against The Machine, The Offspring and Incubus. So, so many big names!

Quite a few of our favourite artists are about to bring out new albums. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' Dig!!! Lazarus!!! Dig!!! comes out on Monday the 3rd of March (!!!) and we can't wait. Other Aussie faves of ours, Even have a new self titled album out on the 22nd of March. Don't forget, if you pre order your copy, you'll get free postage!

So far this year we've seen sensational newies from Morrissey (his Greatest Hits had 2 new tracks and they're greeeeeat!), My Disco (put your tight black jeans on and play this as loud as you can), The Mountain Goats, Goldfrapp, The Mars Volta.... And the year is just beginning!

That's all for now, but stay tuned for PLAY4ME'S EASTER FUN which will be coming your way soon...

Until then, let us know which upcoming 2008 CD, DVD, Games or Book release you're most looking forward to. The first 5 people to respond with their email addresses will get $5 play4me vouchers!

Ohhh so exciting!