Pitchfork

So you may be aware by now that we put this book out. It's called The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs From Punk to the Present, it bears the lovely logo of Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint, and it's a pretty cool thing, in my totally bipartisan, unbiased opinion.

Well, as a way of saying "Thank you!" to everybody who has supported the book thus far-- and a way of saying "Hey, check this out!" to everybody who hasn't-- we're giving away an iPod! Call it a sweepstakes if you will. In fact, call it The Pitchfork 500 iPod Giveaway Sweepstakes.

And let me tell you folks, it couldn't be any easier to enter. Simply head on over to the sweepstakes website sometime before 9 p.m. EST on December 15, type in your information, hit "Submit", and fondle your rabbit's foot while you hope for the best. No purchase necessary! Void where prohibited! (Hey, that's kind of tautological, isn't it? Like saying "not valid where not valid," right? But I digress...)

Not only will one grand prize winner receive an iPod Classic, that lucky person will also get a $100 iTunes gift card, which should get said lucky person well on the way to loading that iPod with an "ultimate playlist" of his/her own. Or with the whole Rush catalog. The choice is yours. What's more, 10 lucky first prize winners will score a copy of the book.

Ah yes, and speaking of the book, here's that rundown again:

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.

The book is available in your friendly neighborhood bookstore right now. Or you can order it via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Insound, Powell's, or Simon & Schuster.