Cratedigger

Dark Night of the SoulOk vinyl lovers. I have something very special for you this week. If you’re reading this column, chances are you own, and use, a turntable. If not, read on anyway. The prize I’m offering in this contest would make a great gift for the vinyl lover in your life. In fact, it’s so good that you may want to actually buy yourself a turntable so that you can hear it.

This week I am giving away a vinyl copy of the album Dark Night of the Soul by Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse. But I’m not talking about just the one vinyl album, although that would be great all by itself. No, I’m offering you a chance to win the Deluxe Box Set, which includes the following:

2 Gatefold LPs (Complete Album and Complete Instrumental)
2 CDs – (Complete Album and Complete Instrumental)
3 Lobby Cards
1 Poster
1 Photo Print
1 Photo Print
1 x 12″ booklet with David Lynch photography

This package in only available in a limited edition. Pretty great, huh? Read on to find out how you can win it.

First, a little background on the album which was finally released by Capitol Records on July 12 of this year. The Dark Night of the Soul project was put together by three of popular culture’s most intriguing artists: Danger Mouse, aka Brian Burton, who gained fame as a producer, remixer, and founder of Gnarls Barkley with vocalist Cee-Lo Green, Sparklehorse which was the band name used by singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous, and David Lynch, the renowned filmmaker responsible for classic films like Blue Velvet, and the television series Twin Peaks. The album includes vocal performances by a who’s who of alternative rock, including James Mercer of the Shins, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, Frank Black of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, Nina Person of the Cardigans, Suzanne Vega, the late Vic Chesnutt, Scott Spillane of Neutral Milk Hotel, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, and David Lynch himself. The Flaming Lips also collaborate on one of the album’s tracks.

Following the recording of the album, a dispute with EMI erupted, and for a time it looked like the album would never be released. The project’s book was made available however, and it contained a blank CD-R, which bore the following label:

“For Legal Reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.”

Lots of people knew what to do with the CD-R, and the album became widely available in May of last year, but it wasn’t until the dispute was settled earlier this year that an official release was scheduled. Tragically, Mark Linkous did not live long enough to see the release. According to a statement from Danger Mouse, Linkous knew that the dispute had been settled, and was very happy about it. It wasn’t enough, however, to keep him from committing suicide on March 6, 2010, extinguishing one of music’s brightest lights. The album is dedicated to Vic Chestnutt, who died of an overdose on Christmas Day last year.

The album itself is full of hauntingly beautiful music which only makes the loss of Linkous and Chesnutt more profound. It is easily one of the best albums of 2010.

Now, let’s get back to that contest. To win your copy of the Deluxe Box Set, all you have to do is send an e-mail to ken@popdose.com, with the word “Contest” in the subject line, and the correct answer to the following question:

In 2004, Danger Mouse released the most famous mashup album of all time. It was a combination of the Beatles White Album, and Jay-Z’s Black Album. What was the name of that Danger Mouse album? All entries must be in by Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. At that time I will pick a winner at random from all of the correct entries. Sorry, but this contest is open to readers with a valid U.S. mailing address only.

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About the Author

Ken Shane

Ken Shane lives in Narragansett, R.I. He is a freelance writer and far and away the oldest Popdose writer. In fact, he may be the oldest writer, period. He wants you to know that he generally does not share his colleagues' love for the music of the '80s, and he does not forgive them for loving it. (Ken passed away in November 2022. R.I.P. —Ed.)

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