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News: Franz Ferdinand to re-release Blood

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Some exciting news from Domino records - Franz Ferdinand are to re-release the dub version of Tonight, entitled Blood, on 1 June.

Originally packaged with the limited edition CD release of Franz Ferdinand's latest album, BlackPlastic's review of Tonight praised the dub version of the album for its experimental approach.  Given the disc was only available in limited quantities the re-release represents a great opportunity to pick up what is easily Franz Ferdinand's best material in years.  They have also added a couple of extra tracks to the original release and it will be available on LP and as a download for the first time.  It's well worth checking out so look out for it.

Franz Ferdinand also release their next single, 'Can't Stop Feeling', on July 6.  Again this represents a great opportunity to pick up something you may have missed before as it comes packaged with their cover version of LCD Soundsystem's 'All My Friends', which was originally included with LCD Soundsystem's release of their single for that track.

The band are also touring in October - check the website for more details.

BP x

News: Phoenix are back!

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Phoenix have always been one of those bands that have skirted around the boundary of greatness slow closely so often yet never quite transcended it. Well, it looks like that might be set to change as the band have announced a new album is coming in May entitled 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' and the have a site up offering the new song 1901 for download in MP3 or AAC (props for choices!) and it is awesome. Definitely one of their best ever tracks it has a lush synth bass noise that runs throughout it and the vocals totally encapsulate young male yearning.

Check it out here and watch for some of the most beautiful, understated work in flash BlackPlastic has seen in ages.

Phoenix are on Twitter (if somewhat quiet) here and whilst we are on the subject, BlackPlastic is also on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/blackplastic.

Yours, always,

BP x

News: Sony World Photography Awards

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BlackPlastic is a obviously a big music fan but when not rocking out to some heavily distorted electro you just might find a camera in our hands and a finger on the shutter release because photography is one of our favourite things.

Why this divergence from our usual coverage? Just to tell you that Sony have launched their second annual World Photography Awards and where is gets interesting is the face that there is a music category so any of you that are fans of capturing music visually might want to consider entering. The competition culminates in a week long exhibition event in Cannes between 14-19 April - the Festival @ The Sony World Photography Awards.

There is both a professional and amateur category and you can enter here. One rule to be aware of - the photo must have been taken in 2008.

To give you some inspiration this is the photo BlackPlastic is considering submitting, taken at Simian Mobile Disco's live set at Field Day it encapsulates the volume / pleasure ratio that the duo managed to establish in their fairly ruthless set over the summer:

For further inspiration, last year's winners in the music category (Professional first, then Amateur):

© Eduard Meltzer, courtesy of Sony World Photography Awards 2008

 

© Kerry Grainger, courtesy of Sony World Photography Awards 2008

 

The closing date is 31 December 2008 so get uploading if you fancy a shot at winning!

BP x

New site design coming at ya live...

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BlackPlastic will finally be getting a bit of an overhaul, hopefully within the next few days...

...One downside is that existing RSS subscribers may find their feed dries up - there will be a new one but BlackPlastic isn't sure if it'll just start feeding through the old address.

Please check back in a day or two to resubscribe.

Thanks,

BP x