ethanwhatsgood

Several rock bands often don't have the opportunity to tour in Japan despite having large fanbases in the Land of the Rising Sun. The costs and logistics of sending band members, including their crew and gear, make it difficult to do so. In addition, Japanese domestic albums cost more than those imported from outside of the country. To justify the higher price tag for a CD and to please their diehard Japanese fans, record labels and bands make an effort to include Japan-exclusive tracks in some of their album releases. Instead of the usual shot glass or refrigerator magnet, a favorite souvenir of mine is Japan released albums. Here are a few records that I gathered from my trips to Japan with links to the exclusive tracks. 1. New Found Glory - Not Without a Fight Bonus track for Japan: I'm the Fool New Found Glory's 2009 release of Not Without a Fight in Japan is a prime example of a band's appreciation for Japan. With this additional track, the album's t

For the past 10+ years, I've driven in confidence with my E46 BMW. I've always had a full-size spare tire in my trunk. Whether commuting around town or traveling on an over 9-hour leg of a road trip, a flat tire was the least of my roadside repair concerns. However, I have a new car that presents a new challenge for me. My new-to-me E85 Z4 3.0si has no such full-size spare tire. I have a compact spare tire but it takes up most of my precious cargo space. From the factory, my Z4 came with run-flat tires. These tires are designed to work with no air pressure for a limited time at a limited speed. They are also awful. Awful for performance and handling and awful for comfort. The previous owner was nice enough to ditch them and install probably the best tires money can buy at the time - Michelin Pilot Super Sports. The Pilot Super Sports are a traditional radial tire. When they're flat, they're flat. Meaning unlike the run-flats, the tire has to be changed when punctu