Listening to Medulla on headphones in the dark is a really intensely rewarding experience, despite the many sort of creepy moments. I ended up listening to Vespertine and that was just as wonderful in it's own way, but it didn't have that sense of accomplishment that Medulla gave me.

Clearly, I am becoming a huge, huuuuuuuge nerd.

I'd also like to mention a little nugget of gold featured on Pitchfork this week:

"4. DJ Drama & Lil Wayne: Dedication 2
Lil Eazy E's Cali Untouchable Radio 14 is sorta my favorite mixtape overall this year, because that West Coast sound will always reach me. But lyrically Lil Wayne is perched on a throne made out of skulls, overlooking a desolate plain across which his innumerable inferiors crawl, unable to tolerate the incandescent light of his raw skill. Even his lesser couplets dazzle."

-John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats on his number 4 pick for favorite album of 2006, Lil' Wayne's "Dedication 2"

Pitchfork, I hate on you a lot, but I keep coming back for things like this.