Pitchfork

People of France: Bonjour! That's French, right? Also, did you guys know that Pitchfork made a book? We did! We totally did. The book is in English, though. Sorry about that. We hope it's not too much of a problem. Anyway, now that we've already thrown book-release parties in New York and Chicago, it's your turn.

This Friday, January 9, Le Motel in Paris is throwing a party for The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present. Le Motel is located at 8, passage Josset, 75011 Paris. If you're taking the Metro, it's Ledru-Rollin. And from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., the DJs Bonne Ambiance and Maxence P will be playing selections from the book. I swear I'm not making those names up, either.

And if you haven't heard anything about the book yet, here's the deal: 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.

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