Enjoy Monty Python’s Argument Sketch on two vintage speech synthesizers

A DECtalk Express stands in for Monty Python actor Michael Palin, with an Intex Talker (Votrax SC-01A) voicing the role of John Cleese. Retro speech synthesis just sounds better. Not more intelligible, necessarily, but absolutely better. And it’s hilarious. Eat your heart out, Transmediale / Ars Electronica / etc.: If all of this sounds familiar, […]

Let’s enjoy some Square Enix game soundtracks in acoustic covers

The Square Enix Music Channel remains a gift to the Internet. So in this dire summer for the gaming industry (layoffs, the end of physical media, console price hikes), let’s keep the faith and listen to NieR played on hammered dulcimer. This, too, shall pass.

Peter Kirn - July 21, 2026

Two stills of Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay leaping in front of checkered green and gray background, in his signature hat, a Sony logo in the upper left-hand corner.

Peak 1996: When Jamiroquai met Sony MiniDisc in Japan

It was once the pinnacle of digital recordable audio, a would-be successor to the mighty cassette tape. And for one glorious moment in 1996, Sony MiniDisc was all that was right with the world, exemplified by a trippy Japan-only ad campaign with none other than Jamiroquai.

Peter Kirn - May 22, 2025

Here it is, a cover of Kendrick Lamar and more awesomeness for the Otamatone

Peter Kirn - February 14, 2025

Reharmonized tone-deaf Star-Spangled Banner is now its own genre

Peter Kirn - July 18, 2024

Detroit’s “The Scene” dance show, 1980s: Juan Atkins and Halloween

Peter Kirn - October 31, 2023