Pitchfork

With that whole election business out of the way, it's time to get back to concentrating on the things that really matter. Things like the best songs of the past 30 years! That's right, Pitchfork's first music guide is coming out in only four days.

As you know, on November 11, Simon & Schuster imprint Fireside Books will publish The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present. This handy paperback chronologically explores Pitchfork's 500 favorite songs from 1977-2006, constructing an alternate history of the past three decades of popular music-- one that extends beyond the typical Baby Boomer-approved canon of the Clash, Prince, Public Enemy, Nirvana, Radiohead, and Outkast.

From art-rock and proto-punk godfathers such as Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, and David Bowie to today's leading lights such as the Arcade Fire, the White Stripes, and Kanye West; from superstars to cult heroes; and from punk, indie, and pop to hip-hop, electronic music, and metal, we've created the ultimate playlist. Interspersed throughout are sidebars on the most vital subgenres from electro to grime to riot grrrl, along with pieces like "Career Killers: The Songs That Ended It All" and "Runaway Trainwrecks: The Post-Grunge Nadir."

Edited by Pitchfork founder/president Ryan Schreiber and editor-in-chief Scott Plagenhoef, and written by an all-star team of contributors, The Pitchfork 500 is the perfect book for the train ride to work, a cozy winter's night by the fireside, or extended stays on the toilet. And it sure would make for a nice holiday gift, hint hint.

Though the book won't hit shelves until Tuesday, you can pre-order it now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Indie Bound, Insound, Powells, or Simon & Schuster.

To celebrate the release of The Pitchfork 500, we've lined up a few events and media appearances. If you're in the Chicago area, head on over to the Borders Books & Music in Lincoln Park (2817 N. Clark St.) on Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m., where Pitchfork editor-in-chief (and Pitchfork 500 co-editor) Scott Plagenhoef and Pitchfork managing editor (and Pitchfork 500 contributing editor) Mark Richardson will read from The Pitchfork 500, followed by a Q&A session and a book signing.

For those of you in Ohio, Mark Richardson will speak on a panel hosted by the Wexner Center For the Arts at Ohio State University in Columbus on Thursday, November 20 at 5 p.m. Peel Slowly and See: Warhol, Music, and Image will feature a discussion of the Velvet Underground and Warhol's role in music by Mark, Dean & Britta's Dean Wareham, and Professor Barry Shank of OSU. A performance by Dean & Britta will follow the panel.

Tune your radios to New York's WNYC-FM at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 13 to hear The Pitchfork 500 co-editors Ryan Schreiber and Scott Plagenhoef on "Soundcheck" with host John Schaefer. The next day, Friday, November 14, New Yorkers can tune into WRXP-FM's "Matt Pinfield in the Mornings" between 6 and 10 a.m. for an interview with Ryan Schreiber, while Chicagoans can catch Scott Plagenhoef on WGN Radio's "The Noon Show" chatting with host Bob Sirott UPDATE: Scott will be on at 2 p.m. with host John Williams. Then on December 2, Scott will appear live on Chicago's WGN "Midday News" television show to discuss The Pitchfork 500.

For a complete rundown of these and future events, head over to www.thepitchfork500.com.