It’s cold. Global warming isn’t working. Everybody’s rushing around and looking severe. They’re bunched up in doorways and they’re tearing through the trinket stands on Canal Street, trying to finish off their Christmas shopping early. I’ll be one of those frantic guys you see late on Monday afternoon, racing down the aisles while simultaneously dialing other stores to make sure they’re still open. A woman pushes me out of the way to look at framed drawings of The Sopranos characters. A radio somewhere says, “Kids! Now you can email Santa! Just send him your list and you’ll receive a personalized email response. It’s fun!”

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Mouse on Mars – Owai
(from Instrumentals. Sonig, 1997)
Mouse on Mars lost me a while back with Ideology, but their Instrumentals and Glam LPs remain unparalleled ambient-techno soundtracks and perfect winter music. “Owai” growls and gets emotional, taking you through dark and wobbly places – all without breaking stride from a terrific outer-space disco beat.