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October 17, 2006

Win Old And New Pussy Cats

Back in '74, John Lennon and Harry Nilsson went on a bender forever known as "the lost weekend," a stretch of months starring booze, drugs, and the bars of LA. To commemorate their debauchery, Harry and John set a mix of originals and covers to tape, with Harry singing and John on production. Nilsson blew out his voice during the sessions, and his ruptured cords led many to dismiss the effort; years on, it's gained in stature, and The Walkmen deem it a "band favorite."

And so Hamilton & Co. recorded an affectionate, song-for-song cover of the album, calling it the "great 'buddy' record of the seventies." Leithauser's boozy croon is a good fit for blown-out Nilsson, and the record is worth a listen for "Many Rivers To Cross" alone. Hear it for yourself at the Pussy Cats listening party.

"Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen comes with a 20-minute, psychadelic, making-of-the-record documentary and some pretty weird cover art. And dontcha know it, we have a copy to give away.

 

Here are our Pussy-giveaway winner's spoils:

  • The Walkmen - "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen
  • Harry Nilsson / John Lennon - Original, out-of-print Pussy Cats
  • The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
  • The Walkmen limited edition numbered silkscreened poster
  • And second place gets ... nothing! It's winner-take-all. To enter the Pussy Cats Giveaway, post a comment telling us what's attractive about the prize albums (or about Hamilton's caveman-in-furs getup). We'll randomly select a winner on Tuesday 10/31 at 6PM EST.

    "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen is out 10/24.

    Posted at 2:33 PM in
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    221 Comments

    Are there really any other "buddy albums"?

    Furs keep one warm.

    Posted by: Leland at 10/17/06 2:39 PM | Reply
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    Potted plants are purty.

    Posted by: Matt at 10/17/06 2:45 PM | Reply
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    The prize albums are attractive because they show the blend between the modern and it's influence quite literally. I really want to see how The Walkmen, a band featured on The OC, can cover an album produced by a member of one of the most ubiquitous bands of all time. I think The Walkmen and John Lennon are both legit musicians even if their bands attached themselves to some dubious things like a fox show [okay, so it is my favorite show, go mock me] and lunch boxes.

    Also, I have never won any online contests even though many pop up ads promise me free X-Box...I would like to win for the sake of winning and the fact that the prize would come from my favorite music blog and would be a better prize than a X-Box makes it perfect.

    Posted by: Joan at 10/17/06 2:48 PM | Reply
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    Widescreen is inherently attractive, whilst orange is so ugly as to reach otherwise unattainable attrative standards, as many women and George Michael know.
    I tell you, the future will contain a new race of super-ugly/mega-attractive Orange humans who will no doubt roam the wild French planes.
    This comment is sponsered by Piz Buin, Sunless Tan lotion.
    Otherwise, caveman-in-furs is the new beardman-in-burrow (Banhart). 'Cause I know these things.

    By the way, I don't want these prizes, I NEED them. My bones are scrambling together in my body, I need them so bad.

    Posted by: Robert at 10/17/06 2:52 PM | Reply
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    I am curious to hear their closing out of their beloved studio. I hear the new Marcata is badass.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 2:53 PM | Reply
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    If the original Pussy Cats is, in fact listenable, then the prize album would slightly disprove the mightily scurrilous "Lives Of John Lennon", which made the album sound like a drunker Metal Machine Music.

    Posted by: Gari N. Corp at 10/17/06 2:55 PM | Reply
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    What's attractive? No Yoko on either record.

    Posted by: El Payo at 10/17/06 2:59 PM | Reply
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    What's attractive? No Yoko on either record.

    Posted by: El Payo at 10/17/06 3:02 PM | Reply
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    What isn't attractive about that package??

    ns

    Posted by: neal_s at 10/17/06 3:02 PM | Reply
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    what's attractive is that john lennon and harry nilsson are two of my favorite if not my favorite artists of all time. I love pussycats and I love the walkmen. When I found out they were covering the album I was on cloud 9. Gimmie.

    Posted by: charlie at 10/17/06 3:04 PM | Reply
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    It's easy to see what's attractive. Harry Nilsson and John Lennon. The Walkmen. What's there not to like?

    Posted by: Nick at 10/17/06 3:05 PM | Reply
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    I've really been curious about both albums, but haven't quite made the leap to pay for the import of the original "Pussy Cats". They both sound awesomely off-kilter-- I'm thinking like Arm of Roger.

    Posted by: tk. at 10/17/06 3:09 PM | Reply
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    I lived in Alaska for the last few months before coming back home to California. That record would make being back in california seem not as bad.


    Man I really liked Alaska.

    Posted by: nickbahulaisdead at 10/17/06 3:10 PM | Reply
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    The poster and out of print original are the most attractive parts of this giveaway.

    Posted by: Trevor at 10/17/06 3:12 PM | Reply
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    One full word, three words joined by dashes: "Original, out-of-print"

    Posted by: Ryan at 10/17/06 3:12 PM | Reply
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    Here are my reasons:


    The Walkmen - "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen
    Harry Nilsson / John Lennon - ORIGINAL, OUT OF PRINT Pussy Cats
    The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
    The Walkmen LIMITED EDITION numbered silkscreened poster

    Posted by: Chris Holmes at 10/17/06 3:18 PM | Reply
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    Here are my reasons:


    The Walkmen - "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen
    Harry Nilsson / John Lennon - ORIGINAL, OUT OF PRINT Pussy Cats
    The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
    The Walkmen LIMITED EDITION numbered silkscreened poster

    Posted by: Chris Holmes at 10/17/06 3:18 PM | Reply
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    Here are my reasons:


    The Walkmen - "Pussy Cats" Starring The Walkmen
    Harry Nilsson / John Lennon - ORIGINAL, OUT OF PRINT Pussy Cats
    The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off
    The Walkmen LIMITED EDITION numbered silkscreened poster

    Posted by: Chris Holmes at 10/17/06 3:18 PM | Reply
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    What's attractive? No Yoko on either record.

    Posted by: El Payo at 10/17/06 3:19 PM | Reply
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    "Don't Forget Me" is a great sad song.

    Posted by: Maltodextrin at 10/17/06 3:22 PM | Reply
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    Making old things new again is attractive, especially when it's done by a good band.

    Posted by: Brian at 10/17/06 3:25 PM | Reply
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    Making old things new again is attractive, especially when it's done by a good band.

    Posted by: Brian at 10/17/06 3:25 PM | Reply
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    Kittens and sunsets.

    Posted by: Carlos D at 10/17/06 3:29 PM | Reply
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    The most attractive thing is that if you put "Nilsson Walkmen Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:29 PM | Reply
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    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:33 PM | Reply
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    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:37 PM | Reply
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    What's attractive is that if I win, I get to keep an actual physical copy of each album for FREE...it has been soooooo long since I last touched a new, scratch/crack-free CD case. Moreover, winning these albums would free up additional bandwith to be used when downloading 3 other albums - more music for me!

    Posted by: contest whore at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
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    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
    Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
    Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
    Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
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    What I find attractive about the new version is that I enjoy Fruit of the Loom underpants, as apparently one of the Walkmen does as well.

    What I find attractive about the old version is that it reminds me of the Titannica sketch from Mr. Show. "It's not a bracelet, it's uh, it's uh, a belt!"

    Posted by: dan b at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
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    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:39 PM | Reply
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    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:42 PM | Reply
    Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

    The best thing is that if you plug "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats" into an anagram machine, "A Clansmen Knit Slows Pussy" is one of the results. So true.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 3:42 PM | Reply
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    What I find attractive about the new version is that I enjoy Fruit of the Loom underpants, as apparently one of the Walkmen does as well.

    What I find attractive about the old version is that it reminds me of the Titannica sketch from Mr. Show. "It's not a bracelet, it's uh, it's uh, a belt!"

    Posted by: dan b at 10/17/06 3:44 PM | Reply
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    Nilsson and Lennon's goofy hats. Most Attractive. Hands Down. No robe, loincloth or fruit of the loom costume could top those.

    Posted by: KC at 10/17/06 3:44 PM | Reply
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    the most attractive thing about this is the cute scenester girl i will have at my beck and call once she hears these albums on my stereo.

    Posted by: Peter at 10/17/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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    The most attractive things are clearly Nilsson and Lennon's goofy hats. No robe or cloincloth can touch those things.

    Posted by: kc at 10/17/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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    Bathrobe + Piano = Attractive.

    Posted by: Adam at 10/17/06 3:46 PM | Reply
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    Bathrobe + Piano = Attractive.

    Posted by: Adam at 10/17/06 3:47 PM | Reply
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    the most attractive thing about this is the cute scenester girl i will have at my beck and call once she hears these albums on my stereo.

    Posted by: Peter at 10/17/06 3:48 PM | Reply
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    "Don't Forget Me" is a great sad song.

    Posted by: Maltodextrin at 10/17/06 3:48 PM | Reply
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    the most attractive thing about this is the cute scenester girl i will have at my beck and call once she hears these albums on my stereo.

    Posted by: Peter at 10/17/06 3:56 PM | Reply
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    Hey, does anyone know any clever anagrams for "Walkmen Nilsson Pussycats"?

    Posted by: tk. at 10/17/06 4:02 PM | Reply
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    I'm so damn attracted because I've only heard bits of each album and I want to hear more. Plus I like owning things. And also winning.

    Posted by: john o at 10/17/06 4:04 PM | Reply
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    Not wearing a shirt, but what appears to be a ski cap.
    Also covering dylan is almost always attractive.

    Posted by: ian at 10/17/06 4:07 PM | Reply
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    a recording featuring the tales of Lennon and Nilsson's drunken debautchery? what else could you ask for??!!

    P.s. Lennon looks good in drag!

    Posted by: il duce at 10/17/06 4:13 PM | Reply
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    a recording featuring the tales of Lennon and Nilsson's drunken debautchery? what else could you ask for??!!

    P.s. Lennon looks good in drag!

    Posted by: il duce at 10/17/06 4:13 PM | Reply
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    Free stuff is better than not-free stuff. Always.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 4:18 PM | Reply
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    a recording featuring the tales of Lennon and Nilsson's drunken debautchery? what else could you ask for??!!

    P.s. Lennon looks good in drag!

    Posted by: il duce at 10/17/06 4:19 PM | Reply
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    My bad. Something got screwed up on my server and I thought it wasn't going through. A goofy anagram might be funny the first time. Maybe even two. Seventy, no. Apologies.

    Posted by: Fred at 10/17/06 4:20 PM | Reply
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    Trust me--The Walkmen are meant to be bona fide Harry Nilsson coverers. The album is solid and doesn't betray the old though the Walkmen definitely leave their mark throughout. So much better than A Hundred Miles Off.

    Posted by: Justin at 10/17/06 4:21 PM | Reply
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    a recording featuring the tales of Lennon and Nilsson's drunken debautchery? what else could you ask for??!!

    P.s. Lennon looks good in drag!

    Posted by: il duce at 10/17/06 4:22 PM | Reply
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    i think paul maroon is incredibly attractive.

    Posted by: jules at 10/17/06 4:24 PM | Reply
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    a recording featuring the tales of Lennon and Nilsson's drunken debautchery? what else could you ask for??!!

    P.s. Lennon looks good in drag!

    Posted by: il duce at 10/17/06 4:26 PM | Reply
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    People dressed at fruit is always attractive. Plus, I guess the whole 'freaking-awesome material covered by a freaking-awesome band' thing is kinda sweet too.

    Posted by: Adam at 10/17/06 4:27 PM | Reply
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    I just really like kitty cats.

    Posted by: Larry at 10/17/06 4:28 PM | Reply
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    I just really like kitty cats.

    Posted by: Larry at 10/17/06 4:29 PM | Reply
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    Free stuff is better than not-free stuff. Always.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 4:32 PM | Reply
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    i think paul maroon is incredibly attractive.

    Posted by: jules at 10/17/06 4:35 PM | Reply
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    the walkmen are attractive enough in my book without the album cover. gimme gimme

    Posted by: Matt at 10/17/06 4:39 PM | Reply
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    New Walkmen recordings are always attractive. And, um, I'll check out those other guys too.

    Posted by: t at 10/17/06 4:39 PM | Reply
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    Because both album covers harry lead singers.

    Posted by: Nate at 10/17/06 4:40 PM | Reply
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    People dressed at fruit is always attractive. Plus, I guess the whole 'freaking-awesome material covered by a freaking-awesome band' thing is kinda sweet too.

    Posted by: Adam at 10/17/06 4:46 PM | Reply
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    Free stuff is better than not-free stuff. Always.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 4:47 PM | Reply
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    the walkmen are attractive enough in my book without the album cover. gimme gimme

    Posted by: Matt at 10/17/06 4:49 PM | Reply
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    I've never heard either of them, so thats the attraction!

    Posted by: Joe at 10/17/06 4:50 PM | Reply
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    New Walkmen recordings are always attractive. And, um, I'll check out those other guys too.

    Posted by: t at 10/17/06 4:52 PM | Reply
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    Because both album covers HAVE harry lead singers.

    Posted by: Nate at 10/17/06 4:54 PM | Reply
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    I've never heard either of them, so thats the attraction!

    Posted by: Joe at 10/17/06 4:55 PM | Reply
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    what's attractive is that it makes up for the last disappointing walkmen record.

    Posted by: kyle at 10/17/06 4:58 PM | Reply
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    Carmella the Cat likes the title and can't wait to have a Sierra Nevada with me while listening to another new one by that band that sang The Rat! That's attractive enough for me!

    Posted by: Alex Whitaker at 10/17/06 5:01 PM | Reply
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    what's attractive is that it makes up for the last disappointing walkmen record.

    Posted by: kyle at 10/17/06 5:02 PM | Reply
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    Carmella the Cat likes the title and can't wait to have a Sierra Nevada with me while listening to another new one by that band that sang The Rat! That's attractive enough for me!

    Posted by: Alex Whitaker at 10/17/06 5:04 PM | Reply
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    Free stuff is better than not-free stuff. Always.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 5:04 PM | Reply
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    Free stuff is better than not-free stuff. Always.

    Posted by: jb at 10/17/06 5:15 PM | Reply
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    The Nilsson-Lennon album cover suggests that their (and the decade's) Lost Weekend was "South Park" with pussy and a lot of booze. In the Walkmen's vision, Kenny's dead, he's not coming back, and even eccentric musical brotherhood couldn't have saved him--but it might save you.

    Posted by: Scott W. at 10/17/06 5:26 PM | Reply
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    I've heard so many dissenting opinions on the original, I can't wait to hear both versions.

    Posted by: david74 at 10/17/06 5:55 PM | Reply
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    the original is my reason as well...

    Posted by: niTe at 10/17/06 5:58 PM | Reply
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    Receiving two (2!) Walkmen albums that I currently do not have in my possession, that my friend is a very attractive proposition.

    Posted by: Matt Denton at 10/17/06 6:01 PM | Reply
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    The Flintstones are so in.

    Posted by: Joey G at 10/17/06 6:15 PM | Reply
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    What's attractive? The idea of the Walkmen performing "Loop de Loop" in those zany outfits.

    Posted by: Brendawg at 10/17/06 6:20 PM | Reply
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    Yeah I gotta say, whats not to like about Harry Nilsson and John Lennon, add in the Walkmen and you've got one hell of a prize package.

    Posted by: Peter at 10/17/06 6:22 PM | Reply
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    The most attractive thing about Hamilton's bearskin: the sunglasses.

    Posted by: Hightower at 10/17/06 6:25 PM | Reply
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    I most excited to see what the limited poster looks like.

    Posted by: Ramsey Ess at 10/17/06 6:53 PM | Reply
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    Coffee table cover art, a historically overlooked genre. I appreciate the tasteful yin yang of the original, yet a part of me says that a well-placed globe can also add a certain spherical balance to any photo shoot.

    Posted by: Boz at 10/17/06 7:10 PM | Reply
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    Because none of this involves Panic! at the Disco, Axl Rose, or Oasis!

    Posted by: Louie at 10/17/06 7:15 PM | Reply
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    it would have to be the guy in the robe, but the rolling pin is pretty sweet too.

    Posted by: asia at 10/17/06 7:22 PM | Reply
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    Sideburns...facial hair in general. It's all hot.

    Posted by: Jess at 10/17/06 7:23 PM | Reply
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    I just got in to Harry Nilsson and am interested in hearing this album along with The Walkmen's take. I also have not yet bough Hundred Miles Off, so it'd be a bunch of new noise for my ears. I would be very happy to win this.

    Posted by: Eric at 10/17/06 7:34 PM | Reply
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    what's attractive about the prize albums: the original Pussy Cats album!

    Posted by: lh at 10/17/06 7:44 PM | Reply
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    what's attractive about the prize: the fact that the walkmen are one of my favorite bands! also that limited edition poster sounds pretty awesome.

    Posted by: calvin at 10/17/06 8:01 PM | Reply
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    What is most attractive about this package is that I can listen to both CD's at once and be immersed in the early 70s with John and Harry and the mid 2000's Walkmen all at once, while boozing and drugging myself into a stupor, all while staring at my glorious silkscreen Walkmen poster.

    If thats not nirvana, I don't know what is.

    Posted by: Anthony De Rosa at 10/17/06 8:02 PM | Reply
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    The best thing about the package is how good it will all look together - just check out how the two albums look side by side. The added bonus of the poster makes it extra attractive - not only will winning the contest score me the copies of Pussy Cats, but an added aesthetic advantage in my room for scoring with pussy cats. Aw yea.

    Posted by: Bryan at 10/17/06 8:10 PM | Reply
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    its all attractive. damned attractive

    Posted by: nik at 10/17/06 8:27 PM | Reply
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