2016 has been a year of curveballs. In fact, it seems like one of the only things we can be sure of right now is that the holidays are coming. For some, it may be a needed respite. For others, it can seem like a nuisance or a chore. However you feel, Consequence of Sound is here to make your gift-buying experience as easy as possible.
From great reads to killer earplugs, we’ve scoured the land for the best items for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for an introvert who lives for vinyl or the next real-life guitar hero, we’ve made things easier by breaking our guide down into the ideal recipients for each gift. You may just even find a thing or two for yourself.
We’ll be keeping our guide updated throughout the holiday season, so bookmark it and check back as we continue to add awesome stuff that will make it easier to get through a glazed ham dinner with your cousin who puts her retainer on the table while she eats. Are we missing something incredible? Let us know, and we’ll be sure to add it.
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For the Diehard Concert Fan
VIBES EARPLUGS
For many of us, live music is a way of life. Whether it’s your brother who lives for sweaty dive-bar punk bands or your best friend who is always at the club catching EDM shows, the one constant across genres is that when we see live music, our ears take a pounding.
Research shows that sound over 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing damage. Unfortunately, most concerts clock in between 98 to 110 dB. This means that each time our loved ones go out to see their favorite bands, they’re potentially putting their hearing at risk.
Enter Vibes, the ear plugs made to enhance live music, not dull it.
Designed to lower dB levels without sacrificing clarity, Vibes are ear plugs without a downside. They’ve mastered comfort with soft, durable ear tips. They’re engineered to filter all frequences equally, so you’ll never miss a note. Worried about looking like a dork? Fear not! Vibes are sleek and discreet, featuring a clear outer sound tube that’s essentially invisible.
Your friends and family shouldn’t have to worry about damaging their ears while enjoying Slash’s brain-melting guitar solos or an earthquake of bass at a deadmau5 show. With Vibes, they’ll be able to focus on what’s really important: rocking out.
$23.99, Purchase
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For the Ultimate Vinyl Enthusiast
EXCLUSIVE COS/VINYL ME PLEASE BUNDLES
Vinyl Me Please is the best damn record club around, delivering exclusive special-edition versions of your favorite albums to your door each month. Consequence of Sound is thrilled to partner with the company to present three handpicked bundles sure to please everyone who lives for the wax on your list. Pair a bundle with a subscription or simply stick a bow on it and watch a smile spread across the face of your favorite vinyl junkie. It should be noted that each record comes paired with an album-inspired art print and a cocktail recipe.
Beatific Bundle
Hot Chip – In Our Heads
Lapsley – A Long Way Home
Four Tet – Pink
Glass Animals – How it Feels to be a Human Being
Everyone has that person in your life that is always tapping their toes, ready to break into a full on dance party. The party won’t stop as long as these records are spinning!
$85.00, Purchase
I Love the ’90s Bundle
The Fugees – The Score
Wilco – A.M.
Nada Surf – High/Low
Weezer – Pinkerton
For many of us the 90’s were when we fell in love with music. This bundle hits some of the favorites from a few different genres.
$85.00, Purchase
Float On Bundle
Menomena – Friend or Foe
Badbadnotgood – IV
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
Nils Frahm – Spaces
No matter what is happening in life music has the power to transport us to a better place. Spin any record in this float on bundle and get lost in the discovery of new sounds.
$85.00, Purchase
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For the Bookworm
Memoir
TOTAL CHAOS: THE STORY OF THE STOOGES, Iggy Pop
A two-day marathon interview with Iggy Pop formed the basis for this title from Third Man Books, sister company to Jack White’s record label. Also featuring contributions from Dave Grohl, Johnny Marr, Josh Homme, Joan Jett, and White himself, Total Chaos is the definitive and insane story of how Iggy and the Stooges became one of music’s most influential bands. Iggy devotees and novices alike will devour this twisted, honest account from one of rock’s most lasting and original voices.
$39.15, Purchase
Fiction
THE GIRLS, Emma Cline
Try as we might to forget them, the macabre allure of Charles Manson and the women who killed for him continue to remain a fascinating part of the cultural zeitgeist. In The Girls, debut novelist Emma Cline writes from the perspective of Evie, who is charmed by the charismatic Russell (Manson by a different name) in late 1960s Northern California. A riveting read, Cline’s novel brilliantly mines the psyche of teenage girls to answer a lasting question: Why would anyone ever agree to do what the Manson girls did?
$16.20, Purchase
Graphic Novel
PATIENCE, Daniel Clowes
Daniel Clowes is one of the finest graphic novelists working today. Best known for his seminal work, Ghost World, his newest title is a time-traveling love story that is equal parts murder mystery and LSD trip. Patience may just be the ultimate masterpiece from one of the medium’s most revered figures. It is a must—have for every graphic novel enthusiast and further proof that stories with pictures are most definitely not just for kids.
$18.28, Purchase
Coffee Table
CARRY THIS BOOK, Abbi Jacobson
Broad City co-star and co-creator Abbi Jacobson puts her skills as an illustrator on display in the hilarious Carry This Book, a work that imagines what famous people real and imagined carry with them every day. From Bernie Madoff being an Icebreakers man to Anna Wintour’s Chipotle membership card, there are little jokes and wonderful insights on every page. Fans of Broad City will find the show’s humor well represented, but Jacobson’s talent as an artist is the real highlight in this wonderful little coffee table book.
$15.14, Purchase
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For the Movie Buff
MONDO’S GREMLINS OST VINYL
First of all, Jerry Goldsmith’s score for the perverse Christmas classic Gremlins pressed onto vinyl is a treasure in and of itself. Mondo has taken things to the next level though: the packaging for this special release actually has artwork that reacts when exposed to water or UV light. The white cover reveals red writing and doodles when put under light, and the disc sleeves both have hidden images that appear when a damp washcloth is applied. This is simply nerd done right, and a must-have for anyone that can appreciate the true power of nature’s gifts.
$35, Purchase (On sale November 30 at 12 p.m. CST)
SPERRY JAWS SLIP-ON SHOES
It may be tough to secretly learn your intended recipient’s shoe size, but oh man will it be worth it. Sperry has created a slip-on that honors Steven Spielberg’s masterwork Jaws in all its toothy glory. Each show has a unique design, but put your feet together and one of film’s most iconic posters will be recreated right on your feet. Even the inside soles feature the “No Swimming: Hazardous Area” sign Sheriff Brody plants around Amity to no avail. These are kicks that deserve a bigger boat.
$79.99 – $129.99, Purchase
HATCHLING DINOSAUR CANDLE
You always want to be there when they hatch! As this candle melts, a baby porcelain raptor is revealed. Makes candles cool again with this little slice of Isla Nubar.
$39, Purchase
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For the 90s Punk Luddite
GREEN DAY BOOMBOX AND CASSETTE BOX SET
Some of us just aren’t down with new technology. We like things the way they were. If you know someone who uses the phrase “cassingle” in the present tense and also loves them some Green Day, the boys from Oakland have the perfect gift in store. This package includes every Green Day album – including their latest, Revolution Radio – on cassette tape in a snazzy keepsake box plus an honest-to-goodness boombox complete with sticker sheet to deck out your new toy. Gift your loved ones the gift of being able to listen to “Stuart and the Ave” the way it was meant to be heard. Shoulder pads for on-the-go strutting not including.
$249.99, Purchase
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For the Nintendo Gamer
QUESTION BLOCK LIGHT
If you know someone who swung and missed on the highly coveted Nintendo Classic Mini, get them the ultimate consolation prize. The Question Block Light can be powered by either a USB cable or batteries, and activates (naturally) by being pressed down – sorry, no golden coins. As an added bonus, the light also emits the eternal 8-bit ping that captured a million hearts in 1985.
$32.49, Purchase
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For the Disorganized Vinyl Collector
KOEPPEL DESIGN RECORD DIVIDERS
You never want to see your loved ones end up on Hoarders, so prevent the possibility by getting them some gorgeous laser-engraved wood panel vinyl dividers. Koeppel Design understands that each collection is unique, which is why you can mix and match panels, from alphabet organization to categories ranging from decades (1930s) to genres (New Wave) to moods (Cocktail Party). Put an end to futile search parties through endless spines with this nifty and sleek accessory.
$132 for four dividers, Purchase
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For the Comedy Junkie
MITCH HEDBERG VINYL BOX SET
Comedy lost one of its most original voices when Mitch Hedberg in 2005. He was a master of the absurdist one-liner, and able to make even the most mundane things hysterical. Now there is a way to relive every laugh he gave us with a definitive box set that includes all three of his albums pressed on vinyl with extra tracks, an oversized book featuring essays from Mike Birbiglia and Margaret Cho, and a USB drive with mp3s of his records and bonus never-before-heard recordings. If you know someone who lives for stand-up, this is the gift for them.
$99.98, Purchase
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For the Sports Fan
2016 WORLD SERIES COLLECTOR’S EDITION: CHICAGO CUBS
Let’s be real: The Chicago Cubs’ post-season run, especially the seven-game World Series showdown against the Cleveland Indians, will long be remembered as some of the greatest games in sports’ history. This expansive, eight-disc set preserves every inning, every play, and every heart-stopping moment without any of the anxiety that was previously tied to its unknown conclusions. So, if you’re a nostalgist and also happen to enjoy a cozy afternoon of baseball, this set’s for you. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with Kris Bryant’s personal phone number for random hangs, but not everything in this world is a grand slam.
$55.11, Purchase
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For the Guitar Virgin
YAMAHA FG800 ACOUSTIC GUITAR
There’s a reason the Yamaha FG800 frequently tops “Best Beginning Guitar” lists. For the price point, there’s simply no beating the quality and sound. A slightly revamped version of the popular FG700, the FG800 Dreadnought model features a solid Sitka Spruce top and reliable balance. If there’s a budding guitar hero in your midst, set them on the right path with this modestly priced treasure.
$199.99, Purchase
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For the Local Band Member
CUSTOMIZED GUITAR PICKS
Branding is a beast these days, but luckily there’s an affordable and awesome way to start spreading the word about your buddy’s new band. For under $10, you can order six customized guitar picks in a variety of colors with the design, logo, or wording of your choice. Nothing says rock star like seeing your friend toss a personalized pick into the crowd after shredding a solo. Rock on.
$5.99, Purchase
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For the Band That Has Everything
MARSHALL COMPACT FRIDGE
It ain’t cheap, but man is it awesome. For the musician in your life that has all the gear, gadgets, and equipment they could ever dream of, get them something to complete to the studio: an officially licensed mini-fridge decked out to look like a Marshall amp. Whether it’s beer or LaCroix, the Marshall mini fridge will keep it frosty when a hard day of shredding leaves you thirsty.
$349.99, Purchase
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For the Fan Who Wears It On Their Sleeves
CHANCE THE RAPPER “MAGNIFICIENT COLORING DAY” JERSEY
While only a chosen few of us were able to enjoy Chance the Rapper’s memorable “Magnificent Coloring Day” in the flesh at the Chicago White Sox’s Cellular One Field this September, but now anyone can take home a piece of one the year’s best concerts. Give the Chance fan in your life a baseball jersey they can wear at any stadium, or pretty much anywhere. With Chance continuing to make some of the most inspiring hip hop of our time, induct your loved one into the crew with some sweet threads.
$75, Purchase
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For the Secret Santa Exchange
FLUX CAPACITOR USB CAR CHARGER
Get a little Doc Brown into your gift recipient’s life with this Flux Capacitor USB Car Charger. It has two USB ports and requires no plutonium to function.
$24.99, Purchase
CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY POST-TRUMP PACK
Originally included in Cards Against Humanity’s “Donald Trump Bug-Out Bag”, you can now buy this Trump-themed expansion pack to help someone on your list make the next four years just a little bit less awful.
$7, Purchase
TEROFORMA WHISKEY STONES
For the Don Draper in your life who likes a little ice with his belt of whiskey, these stones can be kept in the freezer and deployed for temperature-perfect adult beverage consumption.
$16, Purchase
