Kevin Bronson on December 8th, 2008

1

[Cool things about three cool bands …]

‣ Sometimes it pays to have an extra nice package: L.A. bands the Ditty Bops and No Age — as well as longtime local luminary Aimee Mann — each earned Grammy nominations for their CDs’ artwork. The Ditty Bops’ “Summer Rain” features dazzling pop-ups; No Age’s “Nouns” has a booklet that’ll keep your thumbs busy while you listen to their thrashy noise. Those two were nominated for best recording package, while the special edition of Mann’s “@#%&*! Smilers” earned a nod in the best boxed or special limited edition category.”  Art directors, take a bow.
‣ The Airborne Toxic Event’s single “Sometime Around Midnight” has been named the No. 1 Alternative Song of 2008 by iTunes. That’s not No. 1.6. No. 1.