In honour of Zoverstock

I'm fully expecting an 8th copy of 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged CD in the post today, despite their assurances after the first 3 that the computer error had been fixed.

But I thought I should let you into the secret of why I like the band. Easy. Jangly guitars. Good catchy tunes. Good female voice. Thoughtful, interesting lyrics. Little pretension or faked 'attitude'. (I give Cynical Ben half an hour to respond with the foulest abuse he can muster).

Here are a couple of the tracks from the MTV Unplugged CD.



Their cover of Patti Smith's wonderful 'Because the Night':

Would you Adam and Eve it?

Thanks to the kindly folk at Zoverstocks, and despite my protests and their assurances, I received my 7th copy of 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged live CD today.

They told me around copy 3 that it was a computer error which had been fixed. Could I suggest a big sign by the packing desk reading 'NO MORE 10,000 MANIACS MTV UNPLUGGED LIVE CDS TO PLASHING VOLE THANK-YOU'.

This is the weirdest way I've ever been stalked. As the 10,000 Maniacs sing on their MTV Unplugged live CD, 'What's the Matter Here?' and 'Trouble Me'.

You'll never guess what Zoverstocks have just sent me!

A week ago, I mentioned that Zoverstocks had sent me 4 copies of 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged live CD, and begged them to stop. They mailed me to promise that a computer error had been fixed, and asked me to post back the extra CDs 'in the original packing' (that'll be the envelopes you can't open without destroying) at my own expense.

Imagine my surprise at receiving another 2 copies today. That makes 6 in total. Surely they're not 'zoverstocked' any more.

The house that Natalie Merchant built (and there's another copy at home).

They're trying to tell me something

I've just noticed that my own institution marks mail from my own institutional account to my junk folder. Which is charming.

The twin tenterhooks of my day are the ongoing News of the World story, and wondering how many 10,000 Maniacs MTV Unplugged CDs will turn up at the office today. I intend to give them out as prizes. Which reminds me that I owe Ed my spare Emyr Humphreys critical anthology.

I'm whiling away my day playing bullshit bingo. 'Going Forward' appeared quite early on, causing massive damage to my attention levels. I have learned something though: academics can get away with some desperate rubbish when talking to lay audiences. It's inspired me to pursue a media career.

Talking of which, here's some good news.

Please, Zoverstocks, whatever I did, I'm sorry. Please make it stop

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged live CD. I know that by the end of that sentence, many of my friends will have lost sympathy for me, and will be rolling around on the floor howling at my lamentable taste in music, but I don't care. There's room for tuneful jangly guitar in my life.

So. I ordered it secondhand from a company called Zoverstocks. The CD arrived. I like it. Another copy of 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged arrived. I was slightly bemused. I let Zoverstocks know and asked if they'd charged me. They asked me to return the CD, but ignored my question. Then another copy of 10,000 Maniacs MTV Unplugged arrived in the post. And (probably not finally), a fourth copy of 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged turned up, unwanted and uninvited.

It feels like some sort of satirical torture. What have I done to this company? Why can't they make it stop, or simply answer my questions? I'm away for the rest of the week: I fully expect to return to find their entire stock on my desk. I'll have one CD for each Maniac. Then I'll be King of 10,000 Maniacs.

If you're reading this, Zoverstocks, PLEASE MAKE IT STOP. I promise to listen only to Berio and Ligeti if that's sufficient atonement.