Rarely do I hear a new piece of music* and feel compelled to share it right away. Forgive me, but today I want to shout from the rooftops.

Wooden Heart by Listener

*new to me

Just received a note from the Underworld mail list:

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today announced that British electronic music pioneers Underworld have been appointed Music Directors for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The appointment completes the team of senior creatives that will lead the direction of the London 2012 Ceremonies.

Underworld duo Rick Smith and Karl Hyde will work alongside Oscar winning British filmmaker and producer Danny Boyle, Artistic Director of the Opening Ceremony and will be responsible for all the music in the three-hour ceremony taking place on 27 July next summer.

As far as I'm concerned: Congratulations in order.

Who would you have chosen?

Just reading The Word SFTW newsletter and noted that The Miserable Rich recorded their latest album at "Britain's most haunted stately home, Blickling Hall in Norfolk."

With Hallowe'en almost upon us I'm prompted to ask: Do you believe in ghosts? Have you got a ghost story you'd like to share? Or is the spirit world just a load of old tosh?

Me? No, I don't believe in ghosts. Though I've lived in a few allegedly haunted houses and one apparently haunted pub I've never experienced any visitations.

That said, on Monday night I'll be sat in front of the fire listening to Michael Hordern read M R James' creepy, yet slightly plummy, tales of the supernatural.

Yep, exactly what it says:

vintage photos of rock stars in their bathing suits

David Bowie, what were you thinking..

Some people find ambient music a bit boring. For the most part, as long as there are no pan pipes or whalesong samples involved, I don't.

Lately I've been obsessed by Susumu Yokota's album 'Sakura.'

Here's some suitably evocative film of a snowy mountain set to track 8, 'Azukiiro No Kaori.' Nice to know the BBC are spending the license fee wisely.

Enjoy (or ignore, as the case may be). Perhaps you'd like to share some similarly chilled tunes in this thread?

In advance of their all too short European tour Nisennenmondai have released a live album. It's available for download from their bandcamp page now:

http://nisennenmondai.bandcamp.com/album/nisennenmondai-live

I know at least one other member of the massive will be interested in this but for those unfamiliar, enjoy (or if it's not your cup of tea, despair):

Whilst summing up the energy to mow the lawn on a gorgeous day I turned to Spirit's third album, Clear. Minutes later I'm chasing down footage of the original line-up on YouTube and find this clip from Beat Club.

Question: what the hell are those drums either side of Ed Cassidy's kit? They are, well, Massive. Does anybody know whether this is a custom job? Or something usually reserved for an Orchestra (timpani)? Any ideas?

Saw this posted up at Synthtopia and had to share it with you all.

The Brooklyn Organ Synth Orchestra plays Tubular Bells.

Enjoy your weekend.

Fast Company are soon to publish an article on the top ten most innovative music companies. The list is out already and it looks like this:

1. Pandora
2. Coca-Cola
3. BigChampagne
4. Arcade Fire
5. Terra.com
6. Hello Music
7. Converse
8. Sonos
9. Songbird
10. Weezer

Coca-Cola? Hello Music (they say they are an 'opportunity engine')? Converse?

Surely you know better companies (and bands) who are doing something a little bit differently?

Only a few days to go until the release date. Here's a track from the album remixed as a soundtrack for Antony Crook's short film of round-the-world cyclist James Bowthorpe.

This is ace.

Boris - Statement

Soothing, no?

Sick of Christmas music? Got 15,000 mp3s and don't know what to play?

Try World Sound Mix http://labs.43d.jp/wsm/

Ambient sound from around the world

Over at Google's trendsetting Social Network, Orkut, they're offering all members badges for "the different ways they engage with the community."

Aren't they great?

What a patronising load of old twaddle. Anyone care to suggest some less serious options for the Massive?

Hilarious and very creative Amazon review of a $6,800 speaker cable.

http://goo.gl/94scK

I cracked out some Can to accompany a Friday working from home. Crikey, what a great band they were.

Here's Spoon from Ege Bamyasi (watch out for the dapper juggler at 3:10):

Whether you like them or not, have a great weekend.