My recommendations 2006:45:33: Nike+ Original Run by LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem: 45:33: Nike+ Original Run
Nike 10/17/2006

I was ambivalent about whether to recommend this release. In particular, I felt uneasy about the ethical implications of LCD Soundsystem's relationship with Nike. For one thing, Nike's human rights record is infamously abominable. They have refused to guarantee a minimum wage for their factory workers and to allow independent inspectors to tour the factories to ensure safe and sanitary working conditions. They have also been caught making false statements about working conditions in their factories and had the gall to argue in court that they actually have a First Amendment right to lie in their ads because it's political speech. On the other hand, they have been vocal advocates for the gay community in recent years, supporting domestic partnership benefits and anti-discrimation and hate crimes legislation. Then I remembered that this is about the music. On the basis of the music alone, this is a fantastic album. 45:33 is a single, continuous track of slowly shifting disco. I hope that LCD Soundsystem expands some of the sections into proper songs on future releases because they are really quite remarkable. So, if you are comfortable with downloading this album despite Nike's human rights record, I highly recommend it.