We have a new book out, The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present, published by the Simon & Schuster imprint Fireside Books. It explores our 500 favorite songs from 1977-2006-- interspersed with sidebars on the most vital subgenres from electro to grime to riot grrrl-- to construct an alternate history of the past three decades of popular music. In the coming weeks we'll be posting streams of tracks from the book here in Forkcast and giving you a sneak peek at some of the entries. Tomorrow (Tuesday), November 18, is the first of two official launch parties. At Sonotheque here in Chicago, located at 1444 W. Chicago, we'll be spinning tracks from the book from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. And, as announced today in news, there's another launch party in Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 26. Dance and bowl (yes, bowl) to more selections from The Pitchfork 500 at The Gutter Bar, located at 200 N. 14th St. (between Wythe and Berry) in Williamsburg. We'll be there from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. There's no cover for either party and there will be books for sale. For a complete rundown of events, check www.thepitchfork500.com.The Pitchfork 500 is available in your local bookstore right now (Quimby's is the shop in our Chicago neighborhood). Or you can order it via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Insound, Powells, or Simon & Schuster.And now, here is Amy Phillips on PJ Harvey's "Rid of Me", with a stream (good for one free play every 24 hours, via Lala) below the text.