2010 Gift Guide
• Audio/Video
• Photo
• Laptops/Tablets
• Musical Instruments
• CDs/Vinyl
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Neuhaus Labs T-1 Amplifier
Just a year ago, Neuhaus Laboratories came out with the T-2, a stunningly gorgeous tube amp with a USB port and digital-to-analog converter that bypassed a computer's low-fidelity sound card to deliver audiophile-quality sound. The new, smaller T-1 uses the same vacuum-tube technology but adds Bluetooth capability, so you can connect your iPhone or iPad wirelessly. ($495; neuhauslabs.com)
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Joey Roth Ceramic Speakers
Made of porcelain, cork and birch, the gorgeous and spare Ceramic Speakers are the perfect minimalist desktop sound system. Together with the included Tripath amplifier, the speakers deliver terrific midrange. ($495; joeyroth.com)
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The BoomCase
Artist Dominic Odbert takes portable audio to the extreme with BoomCases, vintage suitcases outfitted with speakers and a rechargeable battery to create retro iPod docks. (From $350; theboomcase.com) WIN THIS!
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Edifier Luna5 Encore Dock
Sci-fi glossy and menacingly large, the Luna5 from Edifier, a Chinese firm lauded for innovative designs, is the Death Star of iPod docks. The eye-catching elliptical dock houses a loud yet surprisingly balanced five-driver speaker panel. ($300; edifier.ca)
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Audyssey South of Market Audio Dock
Audyssey's new sound dock was specifically designed for the iPhone user. It's shielded, so you don't have to set your phone to airplane mode, plus it's a speakerphone with Bluetooth capability, offering wireless connection for your computer or iPad. ($400; audyssey.com)
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Klipsch iGroove SXT Dock
The iGroove doesn't try to be something it's not. It doesn't overwhelm with the bass while masquerading as a replacement stereo system. What it does is offer true stereo and pleasurable listening. What it is is the best moderately priced small iPod/iPhone dock currently available. ($149; klipsch.com) WIN THIS!
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Turntables
Pro-Ject Debut III/Phono USB Turntable
Pro-Ject's Debut III is one of the best entry-level audiophile-quality turntables and a great way to get into vinyl without breaking the bank. But many contemporary music systems don't have the correct inputs for a turntable, making a phono preamp a necessary supplemental purchase. The Debut III Phono USB (distributed in the U.S. by Sumiko) comes with an internal preamp as well as premium analog-to-digital conversion software to record LPs onto your computer. ($499; sumikoaudio.net)Crosley Revolution
Battery powered and fitted with a small speaker and a carrying strap, Crosley's Revolution is a truly portable turntable, perfect for toting on expeditions to vintage record shops. It can connect wirelessly via FM with a stereo, and also has a USB output for analog-to-digital transfer. Also available in red, ivory and mint at Urban Outfitters. ($150 for black, crosleyradio.com; $180 for other colors, urbanoutfitters.com) -
Klipsch LightSpeaker System
Klipsch does away with the hassle of wires and mounting hardware with its wireless LED-light speakers. LightSpeakers ($599) fit in recessed ceiling fixtures, and the bulbs are rated to last at least 15 years, so they're both ecofriendly and awesome. The AudioRock ($199), a LightSpeaker accessory, is a wireless, battery-powered speaker that extends your stereo to the outdoors. (klipsch.com)
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Over-Ear Headphones
From left:
Jay-Z Autographed Limited Edition Skullcandy x Roc Nation Aviator Headphones ($150, $200 with Jay-Z Hits Collection Volume 1 Collector's Edition Box Set; islanddefjam.com/jayz)Bowers & Wilkins P5: When it was released a few years ago, B&W's iconic Zeppelin iPod dock became an instant object of desire. Now, the same company's P5s are poised to be this holiday season's It audio gear. The iPhone-ready headphones comfy leather earpads block out enough external noise so you don't have to jack up the volume to deafening levels to hear your music. ($300; bowers-wilkins.com)
V-Moda Crossfade LP: The hardcore flashy Crossfade LPs, with their shiny metal detailing and thumping bass, are made for the clubgoer. ($200; v-moda.com)
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In-Ear Headphones
Clockwise from top right:
Bose MIE2/MIE2i Headset: Bose's great-sounding new earphones are the perfect choice for on-the-move listening. The silicone tips keep them in your ears, while their open design makes sure the rest of the world isn't blocked out. (The MIE2i phones are designed to work specifically with iPods and iPhones.) ($130; bose.com)Klipsch Image S4 Headphones: Klipsch's Image S2s offer the best sound and fit of any earphones in the $50 price range. With an angled nozzle to ensure proper in-ear alignment and larger housing to contain a more responsive micro-speaker, the Image S4s improve on both for just $30 more. (klipsch.com)
Urbanears Medis: The Medis’ unusual EarClick method of hooking into your ears is surprisingly comfortable, and the available colors continue Urbanears' ambition to have a headphone in every shade in the Pantone chart. ($50; urbanears.com)
V-Moda Vibrato: Made of zinc alloy and with Kevlar cables, the ultrastylish Vibrato just may be the toughest in-ear phones you can find. ($130; v-moda.com)
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Budget Speaker Systems
OrigAudio Rock-It Portable Vibration Speaker System: The Rock-It turns any surface or container into a potential speaker for your iPod. ($50; $15 off exclusively for Rolling Stone readers typing in the code "Rolling" at checkout on origaudio.com)
Merkury Innovations Eco Boombox: Not just another cute dock, the Eco Boombox is made from old candy-bag wrappers "upcycled" by TerraCycle, an eco-friendly company that specializes in collecting non-recyclable packaging and material and creating useful products. ($20; merkuryinnovations.com)
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Car Audio
Pioneer Avic-X920BT In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver: The Avic's voice-control function makes listening to your stereo, using the GPS and making hands-free calls so easy, you may find yourself driving places you'd normally walk to. The Avic also comes with an Eco Graph to make sure you're getting the best mileage when you do drive. ($1,099; pioneerelectronics.com)
Sirius XM Snap: The Snap is the quickest, easiest way to access satellite radio in your car: Barely larger than an iPod Nano, the Snap plugs into your lighter and connects to the car stereo's auxilary input. ($50; xmradio.com)
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Home Recording Studio
Clockwise from top left:
Blue Microphones Yeti: The design of this pro-grade USB mic is timeless, but its guts are cutting-edge — it uses three condenser capsules to grab audio in a variety of configurations, including stereo, cardioid and omnidirectional. ($150; bluemic.com)Avid Vocal Studio, Recording Studio and KeyStudio: With GarageBand stealing potential customers, the folks behind Pro Tools have introduced Pro Tools SE, a beginner's version of their industry-standard recording software. Three gigs of prerecorded loops let anyone with little to no musical training create great music. "It really levels the playing field," says superstar producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig. "Some kid with this system could record a song, and the audio quality could be as good as anything I can do [in my studio]. From a creative standpoint, I think that's really cool." SE is available in three affordable packages: Vocal Studio ($100) comes with a USB mic to record vocals and acoustic instruments. Recording Studio ($120) includes the Fast Track interface with inputs for electric guitars and a conventional microphone. KeyStudio ($130) has a 49-note keyboard. (avid.com)
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Apple iPods
Clockwise from top right:
Almost half the size of its predecessor, the next-gen Nano returned to its roots as a music player, ditching the video camera, speaker and in-line mic while adding a touch-screen and keeping the pausable FM radio. (From $149; apple.com)The big story with the Touch is its nonmusic features: HD video recording, ultrasharp display and a built-in mic for Wi-Fi video calls. It's still the sexiest and most versatile music player out there without a cellphone contract. The latest iteration is faster and thinner, and the battery now lasts for up to 40 hours. (From $229; apple.com)
The Shuffle also takes a welcome step back, restoring the onboard buttons. (Bonus: This makes it compatible with all headphones.) You can get them in only one size now (2GB), but the price has gone down $10, and the battery now gives you 15 hours of music playback. ($49; apple.com)
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Portable Player Accessories
Clockwise from top left:
AirTurn BT-105 Bluetooth Page Turner: The AirTurn is a Bluetooth-enabled hands-free footswitch that turns electronic sheet music so you don't have to interrupt your playing to flick to the next page. ($79 with Boss FS-5U Pedal; airturn.com)Moleskine e-Reader, Smartphone and Tablet Covers ($40 for e-Reader Cover, $55 for Smartphone Cover, $90 for Tablet Cover; moleskine.com)
Powermat 2X Portable Mat & Powercube ($130; powermat.com)
Headcase Etch A Sketch Hard Case: Here's an iPad case for everyone who's made the argument that the tablet computer is nothing more than a high-tech Etch A Sketch. ($39; getaheadcase.com) Close the circle with the Etch A Sketch app. (99¢; itunes.apple.com)
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3D TVs
Clockwise from bottom left:
Sharp Aquos Quattron 925 Series 3D TV: Sharp's first 3D TV uses the company's quad-pixel technology to brighten images usually darkened by most 3D glasses. ($4,199 for 52-inch, $5,299 for 160-inch; sharpusa.com)NuVision Lucidium FX10 LED LCD Flatscreen: NuVision's flatscreeens offer the most realistic images and natural colors on television. The leading-edge, luxury brand is now bringing its expertise to 3D with the FX10 series. (From $4,499 for 40-inch model to $6,999 for 55-inch model; nuvision.com)
Panasonic Viera VT25 Series Full HD 3D 1080p Plasma TV: In the early days of 3D TV, Panasonic has been almost universally acknowleged as the leader in the field. The plasma screen particularly depicts blacks and shadows with an almost cinematic-level quality. (From $2,600 for 50-inch model to $4,999 for 60-inch model) Panasonic partnered with DirecTV to create three 3D-only channels featuring movies, sporting events and musical performances. (directv.com)
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TV Components
From left:
Veebeam: While Google TV and the major networks try to hash out their differences, Veebeam offers the simplest solution to viewing Internet content on your big screen without replacing any of your current components. Using wireless USB and a USB dongle attached to your laptop, the Veebeam transmits any and all Internet content — Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, YouTube, Vimeo, Vudu — as well as anything on your hard drive onto your television. ($99 for SD, $139 for HD; veebeam.com)Sharp BD-HP90U Blu-ray 3D Player: The ultrathin Blu-ray 3D player takes up virutally no surface space — especially when set vertically on a stand or on the wall next to your flastscreen. Not only does it play most video, audio and image formats, but it is configured for both LAN and wireless connectivity. ($379; sharpusa.com)
Elgato EyeTV HD: The EyeTV HD turns your Mac into a DVR. You can schedule recording on your computer and even watch shows. Using the $5 EyeTV app, you can also watch live or recorded shows remotely on your iPhone or iPad. ($200; elgato.com)
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Cameras
Clockwise from top left:
Fuji FinePix Real 3D ($600; fujifilm.com)Panasonic Lumix LX5 ($500; panasonic.com)
Sony TX9 Cyber-shot ($400; sonystyle.com)
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR with Image Stabilizer EFS 18-135mm Lens ($1099, $600 for lens; canon.com)
Canon PowerShot S95 ($400; canon.com)
Olympus Stylus Tough-8010 ($380; olympusamerica.com) WIN THIS!
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Video Cameras
Zoom Q3HD Handy Video Recorder: The YouTube era may have found its defining gizmo. Combining crystal-clear high-def video with sharp high-fidelity audio, Zoom's new camcorder is tailor-made for capturing concert footage. ($299; zoom.co.jp)
Flip Video MinoHD: It’s still tough to beat Flip for simplicity and pocket portability. If you order directly from Flip’s website, you can custom-design your camcorder. (From $180; theflip.com)
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Laptops
From top:
Dell XPS 17: This multimedia behemoth defies the trend towards lighter, thinner laptops. It’s a big rig outfitted with JBL speakers, NVIDIA graphics, an HD webcam and the ability to play 3D Blu-ray discs. (From $950; dell.com)HP Envy 14 Beats Edition: With a black aluminum case and red-backlit keyboard, the HP Envy 14 is the best-looking laptop this side of Apple. But it's really engineered for sound. Beats Audio technology, developed by HP with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, beefs up the sonic hardware so the computer can handle the deep-bass thump, plus there's a software equalizer console to customize output. (From $1,150; hp.com) WIN THIS!
MacBook Air: Just as we were getting used to the idea of the iPad as overlord of a laptop-free universe, the MacBook Air (in 11- and 13-inch models) single-handedly obliterates and reinvents the netbook. It comes loaded with Apple's updated iLife software, which includes GarageBand guitar and piano lessons from artists like John Legend, Norah Jones and Sting. (From $999; apple.com)
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Tablets and E-Readers
Clockwise from top left:
Amazon Kindle: The latest version is smaller and lighter — at .335 inches, it's even thinner than the iPhone 4 — and with a rubberized back, it won't slip out of your hands. Denser e-ink makes its even easier to read. Available in Wi-Fi and free 3G versions. (From $139; amazon.com)Apple iPad: Like the iPod before it, the iPad immediately became the standard in its category the moment it was unveiled. It will take a lot of heavy lifting and brainpower — and lots and lots of cash — for everyone else to catch up. (Wi-Fi from $499, Wi-Fi and 3G from $629; apple.com)
Barnes & Noble Nookcolor: It's got everything a book lover could want from an e-reader: terrific graphics, a touch-screen, a bookstore with more than 2 million titles, the ability to lend books and access to most major magazines. ($249; bn.com)
Samsung Tablet: The iPad's first real competition has a lower screen resolution but higher pixel density, so images on the seven-inch display seem just as brilliant, whether you're watching a video or playing Angry Birds. Unlike the iPad, the Galaxy Tab has a camera/camcorder. (From $400 with two-year contract from most major providers; samsung.com)
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Smartphone Accessories
Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4: Mophie’s rechargeable iPhone case barely adds to the iPhone’s slim profile, and can almost double the battery life. ($80; mophie.com)
Jambox by Jawbone: This sharp-looking Bluetooth device works as both a kickass tiny stereo speaker and a speakerphone. ($200; jawbone.com)
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Gibson John Lennon 70th Anniversary J-160E Guitars
To celebrate Lennon's 70th birthday, Gibson and Yoko Ono collaborated on re-creations of one of the iconic instruments most associated with the Beatles legend: his J-160E acoustic-electric guitar. The guitars trace Lennon's career, starting with the original vintage sunburst finish identified so strongly with the Beatles' early work, through to the stripped-down version he played with Ono at their famous bed-ins. The J-160E Museum — a limited edition of which only 70 have been made — features the exact details of this guitar down to renderings of the caricatures Lennon made of himself and his wife. (From $3,599 to $10,999; guitarcenter.com). For the budget-minded, Gibson's second line, Epiphone, has the EJ-160E ($599; guitarcenter.com)
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Hottie 454 Guitar
Inspired by Seventies muscle cars like the Chevy Corvette, the limited-edition 454 is "built for horsepower," says Hottie president Jean-Claude Escudie. With its bone nut and saddle, hand-carved neck, one-piece Honduran-mahogany body and hard-rock-maple top, the nine-pound guitar is also built to last. "Guitar makers nowadays say the best [body] is the lightest, with contours for maximum comfort," says Escudie. "I just built a fucking hot rod right there." ($3,499; hottieguitars.com)
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Oriolo Guitars
Oriolo Guitars' Felix the Cat instruments are fun, but they're not toys: They're real instruments for real musicians, designed by Felix maestro Don Oriolo, who's also a longtime musician and record producer, and luthier Tony DiDomenico. So far, the only limits to the out-there amazing designs are Oriolo’s imagination and DiDomenico’s skill in realizing them. Luckily, their imagination and skill seem to have no limits. ($799 for Felix Face guitar, from $135 for ukuleles; oriologuitars.com)
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Daisy Rock
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Daisy Rock Guitars is the brainchild of Tish Ciravolo, an L.A. rocker who was frustrated with bulky basses that were too large-scale and heavy to play comfortably. Even more sick and tired of music-store clerks discriminating against her because guitar playing was "deemed a man's thing to do," Ciravolo tells RS, she set out to "make guitars for girls, because maybe that would inspire more girls to play guitar." Her inspiration was her young daughter's drawing of a daisy. Ciravolo added a guitar neck with a leaf headstock to the drawing and shared her idea with her husband, Michael, president of Schecter Guitars, and Daisy Rock was born.
Musicians like Joan Jett, Dolly Parton, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, the Bangles, the Go-Gos, Miley Cyrus and Wanda Jackson are devotees of the guitars, which are lighter and have slimmer necks and low action so girls can push the strings down more easily. Jimmy Page is "one of our biggest fans," Ciravolo says. "He likes the Rock Candy guitar because it's Gibsonesque." Robert Smith of the Cure was so enamored with his red Heartbreaker that he wrote a poem about it. Pleased with Daisy Rock's reputation as a "cool, hip thing," Ciravolo wants it to become a household name. "A girl guitar didn't exist 10 years ago," she says. "Now that we've changed society, I would like everybody to be like, 'I'm going to get a guitar for a girl.' " From left: Rock Candy in Platinum Sparkle (from $350), Stardust Elite Venus in Vintage Ivory Pearl (from $400), Stardust Elite Classic in Midnight Purple Burst (from $350). (daisyrock.com) WIN THIS!
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Guitar Accessories
Clockwise from top left:
Tascam TC-1S: A solar-powered rechargeable guitar tuner. ($40; tascam.com)Planet Waves Dual-Action Capo Tuner: A must-have for all capo-ing alternate-tuning freaks ($22; guitarcenter.com)
The Ghost from ZT Amplifiers: ZT's compact but 200-watt-powerful Lunchbox amplifier took the music world by storm when it debuted a few years ago. Virtuosos like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Nels Cline of Wilco, and Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth snapped them up like candy. The new Ghost is a true practice amp, using the same quality technology and design as the stage- and studio-ready Lunchbox, but at a lower price, and even smaller size. ($199; ztamplifiers.com)
Vocalist Live 3 by Digitech: A harmonizer pedal that turns a solo performer into a choir. ($300; guitarcenter.com)
Castiv Guitar Sidekick: The Guitar Sidekick clamps to your instrument's neck, so you can use all those killer guitar apps you downloaded and not worry about dropping your smartphone or balancing it on your lap. ($30; castiv.com)
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Synths
Clockwise from top left:
Korg Monotron: Like their Kaossilator, Korg's Monotron is a ridiculously small synth whose size belies its capabilities as a musical instrument. Check out the YouTube demos. You won't believe your eyes or ears. ($60; guitarcenter.com)Moog Filtatron: An iPhone app that digitally models Moog's classic analog tones. With filtering, effects and sampling capabilities ($5, itunes.apple.com).
Moog Slim Phatty Analog Synthesizer Module: An old-school yet portable 100 percent analog Moog with MIDI, USB and Control Voltage connectivity. ($795; guitarcenter.com)
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CD Box Sets, Etc.
Clockwise from top left:
The Genius of Miles Davis ($749; sonymusicdigital.com)Bruce Springsteen, The Promise: The "Darkness on the Edge Of Town" Story ($115; sonymusicdigital.com)
Jimi Hendrix, West Coast Seattle Boy ($70; legacyrecordings.com)
Glee, The Music: The Christmas Album ($12; gleethemusic.com) WIN THIS!
David Bowie, "Station to Station" Limited Edition ($170; davidbowiestationtostation.com)
Matador at 21: Five discs of remastered tracks from the indie label's history, plus one of unreleased recordings from the 10th-anniversary shows in 1999. ($35; matadorrecords.com)
Hank Williams, The Complete Mother's Best … Plus! ($200; hankwilliamsmothersbest.com)
The Complete Elvis Presley Masters ($750; completeelvis.com)
John Lennon Box of Vision and Signature Box Set ($275; musicspace.com)
Bob Dylan, The Original Mono Recordings ($110; sonymusicdigital/bobdylan)
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Vinyl Box Sets
Clockwise from top left:
Studies of Tom Zé: Explaining Things So I Can Confuse You: Centered on Zé's "studies" of regional-pop forms, this set includes the David Byrne-curated 1990 Best Of compilation and the beautifully bizarre 2006 feminist operetta Estudando o Pagode. It's easy-listening music made thrillingly uneasy. ($70; luakabop.com)George Harrison, All Things Must Pass: A limited-edition, numbered, 180-gram vinyl set celebrates the 40th anniversary of Harrison’s masterpiece, in its original three-LP configuration. ($69; georgeharrison.com)
The Rolling Stones 1964-1969 and 1971-2005: Limited-edition remastered vinyl box sets containing all the LPs recorded by the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band. ($390 and $420; rollingstones.com)
The Grateful Dead, The Warner Bros. Studio Albums: Contains the five classic albums the Dead recorded for Warners between 1967 and 1970, including Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. ($135; rhino.com)
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Blu-ray/DVD Box Sets 1
Left:
Beyonce's I Am… Yours World Tour ($16.99, DVD/CD) WIN THIS!From top right:
The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts ($40, DVD; $45, Blu-ray) WIN THIS!The Pacific ($80, DVD; $100, Blu-ray)
Modern Family: The Complete First Season ($50, DVD; $60, Blu-ray)
Glee: The Complete First Season ($60, DVD; $70, Blu-ray)
Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection ($50, DVD)
Alien Anthology ($140, Blu-ray)
Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season ($50, DVD; $68, Blu-ray)
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Blu-ray/DVD Box Sets 2
Clockwise from top left:
Deadwood: The Complete Series ($150, DVD; $210, Blu-ray)The Larry Sanders Show: The Complete Series ($115, DVD)
The Town (Extended Cut) ($28.98, extended-cut Blu-ray/DVD combo) WIN THIS!
Inception ($28.98, two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) WIN THIS!
Twentieth Century Fox 75th Anniversary Collection: This 75-film, three-volume set features classics from the movie studio's remarkable history, from Cavalcade and The Sound of Music to Star Wars and Avatar. ($500, DVD)
Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy ($50, DVD; $80, Blu-ray)
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Comic Books and Graphic Novels
Clockwise from top left:
Wednesday Comics: DC's weekly color broadsheet comic is collected in a spectacular oversize hardcover, featuring the work of an all-star team including Neil Gaiman, Joe Kubert, Dave Gibbons, Kyle Baker and Brian Azzarello. ($50, dccomics.com)Ex Machina Deluxe Edition Book 4: Issues 30-40 of the Eisner Award-winning comic from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. ($30, dccomics.com)
Fables Deluxe Edition Books 1 and 2: The first 18 issues of Bill Willingham's magnum opus. ($30, dccomics.com)
Absolute All-Star Superman: An oversize hardcover of the Eisner Award-winning 12-issue series from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. ($100, dccomics.com)
The Walking Dead, Books 1-6: For those who can't wait till next fall for season two of AMC's hit series, Books 1-6 of Robert Kirkman's "zombie movie that never ends" — comprising the first 72 issues — should suffice. ($30-$35 each, imagecomics.com)
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Rolling Stone Press
Clockwise from top left:
Talking to Girls About Duran Duran, by Rob Sheffield: The New York Times said that RS contributing editor Rob Sheffield’s "love letter to the songs that saw him through will resonate with anyone who ever took solace in the radio when no one else seemed to understand." Entertainment Weekly called it "a funny, insightful look at the sublime torture of adolescence in any decade." ($26; robsheffield.com)The '90s: The Inside Stories From the Decade That Rocked, by the Editors of Rolling Stone: ($30; youritlist.com/the90s/index.html)
Meeks, by Julia Holmes: The New York Times described RS assistant editor Julia Holmes' remarkable and dreamlike debut novel as "wild, woolly, sly, gentle and wry" and called it "one of the most original and readable novels that's come my way in a long time." The Los Angeles Times wrote, "The satire here has plenty of bite, but instead of winking at the reader, Holmes evokes her world with luminous prose." ($16; smallbeerpress.com)
Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con That Is Breaking America, by Matt Taibbi: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer hailed RS contributing editor Matt Taibbi's new book as "a most impressive effort," and in his review, financial journalist Felix Salmon named Taibbi the "best polemical journalist in America." ($26; randomhouse.com)
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Books
From top:
Spike Lee: Do the Right Thing ($40; ammobooks.com) WIN THIS!Winter's Children, by Jim Mangan, published by powerHouse Books ($30; amazon.com) WIN THIS!
The Story of Island Records: Keep on Running, edited by Suzette Newman and Chris Salewicz ($40; rizzoliusa.com)
Take Ivy, by Teruyoshi Hayashida, published by powerHouse Books ($25; amazon.com) WIN THIS!
Herb Ritts: The Golden Hour, by Charles Churchward ($65; rizzoliusa.com)
Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae 1975-1976: The Photographs of Kim Gottlieb-Walker ($30; titanbooks.com)
Mark Seliger: Listen ($75; flipkart.com)
UFO by Albert Watson ($135; abramsbooks.com)
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Toys
Clockwise from top left:
Deadmau5 Mini Collectibles: OddCo, the U.K. toy company behind such twisted characters as the Bad Taste Bears, designed these tiny figures of the ubiquitous DJ. ($10; deadmau5.sandbag.uk.com) WIN THIS!Buckyballs: Last year's magnetic desk crack now comes in three special-edition colors: black nickel, silver and gold. ($35; getbuckyballs.com)
Monster Factory Stuffed Toys: These cute Muppet-like creatures have quickly evolved from cult collector's items to must-have accessories for stars like Kanye West, Zach Braff and Modern Family's Sarah Hyland. (From $10; monsterfactory.net)
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Games
Clockwise from top left:
Call of Duty: Black Ops: Black Ops makes you a special-forces soldier in the Cold War. Most fans of this monster series, that alone would be enough, but there are some cool tweaks: a new rewards system, 3D capability and (yes!) a scooped crossbow. ($60; Xbox 360, PS3; callofduty.com)Dance Central: The most immediately compelling game of the season. Most dance games just track your feet, but Central follows your entire body’s moves, thanks to Kinect. ($50; Xbox 360; dancecentral.com)
Nintendo Wii Party: Over 80 minigames featuring Mii avatars as the players. Terrific fun for friends and family. ($50; wii.com)
Karaoke Revolution Glee: Sing along with your favorite Glee characters. Includes never-before-aired scenes and songs. ($60; Wii; konami.com)
Donkey Kong Country Returns Wii: Donkey Kong returns and is better than ever. More challenging platforms equal a more rewarding gaming experience. ($50; wii.com)
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Game Hardware
From top:
Microsoft Kinect: Kinect feels like this season's Wii — the gaming technology that gets nongamers excited about video games again. It creates a sense of full-body immersion in a video game, combining a camera, depth sensor and microphone to track your entire body's movements — without the need for any controllers at all. ($150; xbox.com)Nintendo Limited Edition Red Wii: To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo has released a limited-edition red console. Includes the new Super Mario Bros. game plus Wii Sports. ($200; wii.com)
Sony PlayStation Move: Yes, it looks like a sex toy, but the Move is really a souped-up Wii on high-def steroids. When paired with Sony's Eye camera, the motion controller can detect not only the movements of your hands but also their location in space. The Move starter bundle gets you the Eye camera, a single controller and Sports Champions, a terrific collection of sports games — disc golf, gladiator duel, archery, beach volleyball, bocce, table tennis — that shows off the Move's potential. ($100; playstation.com)
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Holiday Spirits
Clockwise from top left:
Cabo Wabo Uno Tequila ($200 for 750mL)Patron XO Cafe Tequila ($24 for 750 mL)
Maker's 46 Bourbon ($33 for 750 mL)
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila ($45; order from hitimewine.net)
Ty Ku Premium LIqueur ($30 for 750 mL) and Ty Ku Soju ($30 for 750 mL)
Belvedere Vodka Silver Bottle Limited Edition ($30 for 750 mL) and Belvedere Vodka Intense Unfiltered ($35 for 750 mL)
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Wines That Rock
The latest vintage from the rock & roll winemaker Mark Beaman is The Police Synchronicity, a red-wine blend of Carignane, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Viognier. Wines That Rock's Rainbow Pack comes with one bottle each of the 2007 "The Police Synchronicity," the 2007 "Rolling Stones Forty Licks Merlot," 2007 "Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon," and 2008 "Woodstock Chardonnay," as well as a collector's t-shirt. Proceeds from each bottle will be donated to the T.J. Martell Foundation to benefit leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. ($69; wines-that-rock.com)
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Sunglasses
From top:
Holbrook Shaun White Signature Series ($160, oakley.com) WIN THIS!John Varvatos Limited Edition Wayfarer ($424; johnvarvatos.com)
Ray-Ban Aviator Titanium ($165; ray-ban.com)
VonZipper Fulton: VonZippers have not so quietly become the favorite shades of rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, Billie Joe Armstrong and Katy Perry. ($90; vonzipper.com)
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Boxing Kitten Apparel
The brightly patterned fashion label claims Beyoncé and Alicia Keys as fans. Add some punch to your winter wardrobe with the Tina skirt ($79) and Miranda headband ($45). (boxingkitten.bigcartel.com) WIN THESE!
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T-Shirts
Clockwise from left:
Billionaire Boys Club Ice Cream Tees (from $50; bbcicecream.com)Topo Ranch Records Tee ($39; toporanch.com)
Rogue's Gallery Game Basic Tee ($48; roguesgallery.com)
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Shoes
Clockwise from top left:
Men's Chukka by Band of Outsiders Stain-and-Water-Resistant Boots ($200; sperrytopsider.com)Purdey Combo Oxford by Rachel Comey ($320; francesmay.com)
Jack Purcell Leather LP Ox
($80; converse.com)Alexander McQueen Puma Entwine (A unisex version will be available next spring of the popular women's sneaker; $180; puma.com)
John Varvatos Six o' Six Convertible Boot ($598; johnvarvatos.com)
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Accessories 1
From Left:
The Burton x MOB Pipe Glove ($50) WIN THIS!The Solo w/ Control Talk Headphones ($200) WIN THIS!
The Live Lion Van Halen Tee ($54) WIN THIS!
The Smith Wallet in Buffalo Black with Tan Braid ($180) WIN THIS!
The Diamond Supply Domepiece Headphones ($75) WIN THIS!
The Paul Frank Inkd Headphones ($20) WIN THIS!
(All available at Karmaloop.com)
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Accessories 2
Clockwise From Bottom Left:
The Blvck Scvle x Supply Circuit 5600 Watch in White ($99.95) WIN THIS!The Exchange Watch in Gun Metal ($90) WIN THIS!
Supply Circuit x COA x GoodWoodNYC – Da Big Olympic Bear Painted Necklace ($64) WIN THIS!
Ralph Lauren Big Pony Fragrances (Set of Four: $200, ralphlauren.com) WIN THIS!
The Dreaming Cross Necklace in Gunmetal ($90) WIN THIS!
The Mini Punk Stud Double Finger Ring in Antique Gold ($210) WIN THIS!
The Vintage Sword Necklace ($50) WIN THIS!
The Cross Bangle Bracelet in Silver ($32) WIN THIS!
The Armor-Dillo Ring ($50) WIN THIS!
(All but Ralph Lauren Big Pony Fragrances available at Karmaloop.com)
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Urban Cycling
The Brompton M3L ($1,230; nycewheels.com) is a quirkily perfect folding bike — don't let the small wheels fool you. You can ride it anywhere. And once you get where you're going, stash it anywhere too. Swrve apparel is the missing link for bicyclists: high performance gear for recreational cyclists and bike commuters that doesn't make you look like a Tour de France wanna-be. The must-have is their midweight Milwaukee jacket ($150), which protects you from wind and rain, looks slim and slick, and includes features like armpit zippers so you don't overheat riding up a hill. Pair it with their midweight water and wind-resistant trousers ($150) and you can stylishly bike to work for at least three seasons in most climates; combine both with their beautiful Merino sweater ($200), and you're good for everything but snow, ice and serious cold. (swrvecycling.com)
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Skateboard Gear
Girls Girls Girls Skateboards: Images of rock goddesses like Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Joan Jett adorn Girl Skateboard's new line of decks ($55 each; girlskateboards.com). The company has also created a (Product) Red line that benefits the global charity's work to combat HIV and AIDS in Africa ($55 each; joinred.com). Skullcandy’s Skate Backpacks come with a couple of straps to keep your board close. (From $44; skullcandy.com)