JAL to Tokyo (new EP!)/To Buy or not to buy

[lloyd]

This was released on itunes.japan as a single and as an EP with a remix and 2 other songs. All info in my blog, screendumps etc (link below).
Discuss here

[stimpee]

Songs cost ¥150 (about 73p). Link to Japanese iTunes (http://www.apple.com/jp/itunes/)

And Paul Woolford (hi paul), said in an interview for ResidentAdvisor:

"What can you tell us in the way of upcoming productions?

I have just finished some remixes of a new Underworld track called "JAL To Tokyo". This has been the focus for me, and I've put more time into it than any other project. It will be available as a download first of all in Japan only on iTunes over there, and then on Underworld's download shop, www.underworldlive.com. There will also be some vinyl floating around at some point."

Link (http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature_view.asp?ID=680)

[Dirty0900]

Food a ready - From the sample, seems very chilled and floaty, Karls voice echoed back over itself [7.22 long]

Ancient Phat Farm Coat - Sounds nearly identical to the dirtyradio track and IS 19.00 MINUTES LONG.

Jal to Tokoyo[Paul Woolford mix] - Nothing like the essential mix version, much slower but still good.

[thee carp dreamer]

you know, i like it when underworld used to release stuff in the uk on cds.
cos then, i could walk into a shop, and come out with something.

whereas now, to listen to the band i love, i have to learn japanese, get a credit card, etc etc.

p.s. i still haven't heard the lovely broken thing ep, cos no one helped me out. thanks.

[stimpee]

To get Ancient Phat Farm coat you have to buy the EP for ¥1500, while the other 3 cost only ¥150 each. This means that track on its own costs ¥1050 (£5.13) which is a bit steep, 19mins long or not.

However, unless you have a Japanese credit card it doesnt matter because you can't buy it from outside Japan. Of course, you could buy a Japanese iTunes Gift Voucher (http://images.jlist.com/d7/itunes_20.jpg).

...or wait until the EP appears in the UWlive store :(

[stimpee]

p.s. i still haven't heard the lovely broken thing ep, cos no one helped me out. thanks.what was the problem? ant has sorted a lot of problems with buying from the store. non A-Z/1-9 chars caused a lot of the problems.

[Dirty0900]

Do you need a card for it?

I don't think i can buy it again as its allready saved in my account:confused:

Samples sound good, shame its not in reach!

[thee carp dreamer]

what was the problem? ant has sorted a lot of problems with buying from the store. non A-Z/1-9 chars caused a lot of the problems.

it's not an admin problem. i'm 17, and at uni. no credit card, no parents to ask, etc.

i'll wait till i get home or something...as long as they don't take it down between now and january...

[Dirty0900]

it's not an admin problem. i'm 17, and at uni. no credit card, no parents to ask, etc.

i'll wait till i get home or something...as long as they don't take it down between now and january...

I'll send you the link if you want.............

[grady]

To get Ancient Phat Farm coat you have to buy the EP for ¥1500, while the other 3 cost only ¥150 each. This means that track on its own costs ¥1050 (£5.13) which is a bit steep, 19mins long or not.

However, unless you have a Japanese credit card it doesnt matter because you can't buy it from outside Japan. Of course, you could buy a Japanese iTunes Gift Voucher (http://images.jlist.com/d7/itunes_20.jpg).

...or wait until the EP appears in the UWlive store :(

....how soon can we expect to see the EP in the UWLIVE store? I'm itching to hear all 19 minutes of Ancient Phat Farm Coat.

[undarrenworld]

p.s. i still haven't heard the lovely broken thing ep, cos no one helped me out. thanks.


I tried to help you, cos I really wanted to help, but you didnt respond my messages. PM me again please.
See your private messages to see...;)

[thee carp dreamer]

cheers. all sorted now.

:)

i still prefer cd releases though. much much nicer.

[undarrenworld]

We love Japan:D

[undarrenworld]

To get Ancient Phat Farm coat you have to buy the EP for ¥1500, while the other 3 cost only ¥150 each. This means that track on its own costs ¥1050 (£5.13) which is a bit steep, 19mins long or not.

However, unless you have a Japanese credit card it doesnt matter because you can't buy it from outside Japan. Of course, you could buy a Japanese iTunes Gift Voucher (http://images.jlist.com/d7/itunes_20.jpg).

...or wait until the EP appears in the UWlive store :(

So no chance for us Europeans to get it witt EC/MC?
Thats a big shame.
Any date why it will be on the uwlive.com store?

I really want it on 12``

To touch it...;)

[stimpee]

No news on when it will be in the Underworldlive store as yet. Its only thanks to Paul Woolford that we know it WILL be in the store. I suspect after Electraglide.

[undarrenworld]

Im

Waiting For The Tokyo Call

And...Well...If someone will ask me...
Im not boosting my postcount:p

[stimpee]

Im

Waiting For The Tokyo CallI think you're boosting your postcount ;)

[potatobroth]

1) ooh, i cant wait for this EP... samples sounded great.
2) my stance regarding my dislike for regional releases still stands, and that is, i just dont understand it. im sure there is much involved that i dont understand, but on the surface it just leaves me sour. not even a peep on here until it was released.. and digitally no less. why couldnt that be released for all to purchase?

Edit:
3) if i understand things correctly, i see what yer up to, Mr. Roth ;) (you know what i mean.)

[Icke]

I really want it on 12``

To touch it...;)

What can you tell us in the way of upcoming productions?

I have just finished some remixes of a new Underworld track called "JAL To Tokyo". This has been the focus for me, and I've put more time into it than any other project. It will be available as a download first of all in Japan only on iTunes over there, and then on Underworld's download shop, www.underworldlive.com (http://www.underworldlive.com/). There will also be some vinyl floating around at some point.
from: http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature_view.asp?ID=680

[grady]

No news on when it will be in the Underworldlive store as yet. Its only thanks to Paul Woolford that we know it WILL be in the store. I suspect after Electraglide.

I just want 19 minutes of Ancient Phat Farm Coat as soon as possible....

[dubman]

these treats are nice.
what's going on in the underworld situation is all of a sudden as nice as i could hope for.

little packets of goodies every other week, an album soon, a tour.
:)
i'm like a chinchilla sleeping in a sweater.

[votingfloater]

EP cover looks like a bit of a departure too, doesn't it?

I can wait - I'm not buying from iTunes even if I could (though it's sounding gooood from the samples).

[big screen satellite]

sounds like Paul Woolf knows more than UW ever tell us...thanks for the info...

how come we never get told things like this and find out from elsewhere...??!!!??

and whats with more Japanese exclusives???

come on guys sort it out....

[//\/\/]

we were told not to get bitchy about japanese live cds; presumably the same applies to japanese itunes releases. shut up. wait your turn. (or not - i'm thinking wisp here) be grateful when you get to consume.

as aussies put it - it sucks balls.

[big screen satellite]

we were told not to get bitchy about japanese live cds; presumably the same applies to japanese itunes releases. shut up. wait your turn. (or not - i'm thinking wisp here) be grateful when you get to consume.

as aussies put it - it sucks balls.

i know, i can wait - but it does suck (balls) - we've ALL been waiting, then the go release stuff that we can't get...

its not the exclusiveness that bugs me, its the not being told until after the event, after all Lloyd stumbled across this...

we all knew PW had remixed JAL to tokyo....but it was never confirmed, we all suspected it would be coming on vinyl / cd but its not been confirmed by an official source...

proper news rather than criptic clues on the uwlive webblog would be nice now and again.....

[dubman]

look, you'll know for sure when they tell the rest of the world instead of responding to info scouring dirty-scouts that pick up on whatever was published in someone's basement.

it's not like there's going to be a single you won't know about.
de la patience!

[undarrenworld]

i'm like a chinchilla sleeping in a sweater.

Oh yeah, nice:)

[big screen satellite]

look, you'll know for sure when they tell the rest of the world instead of responding to info scouring dirty-scouts that pick up on whatever was published in someone's basement.

it's not like there's going to be a single you won't know about.
de la patience!

but this IS a single we don't know about

its officially published on an official website, its not some illegal download site - its iTunes japan, a big FUCK OFF website with an official release, its not even a download on a members only website like uwlive, anyone who's anyone in Japan can get this....and we were not told about its release at all...even if we can't get it yet, i'd still like to know about it somehow without having to search google every day for news on new Underworld stuff

stop making it hard for us to find out news thats all i say...

(and i'd happily reference the New Order websites that always tells of news of every release whether the home location of that website has access to them or not - its keeping the fans up to date thats important....this is Underworld news and whether we can get hold of the thing or not, is by the by...)

[Cadevil]

These samples sound ace...

Can't wait for the release on UWlive.

[GoatSucker]

All of the iTunes stores seem to have some wacky pricing structures - if a track is longer than about 10 minutes, they make it an 'album only' track, and bump up the total price.
I was just checking out the UK store, and they want £7.99 for the Dinosour Adventure EP, just because it has a long track on it. And they want almost £16 for the 92-02 collection - not exactly a bargain!
Think I'll wait till it's available from uwlive.

[King of Snake]

AAnd they want almost £16 for the 92-02 collection - not exactly a bargain!


lol, that's insane! You can pick it up on cd for about half that nowadays. :rolleyes:

[//\/\/]

£5.99 in the virgin sale...

[undarrenworld]

but this IS a single we don't know about

its officially published on an official website, its not some illegal download site - its iTunes japan, a big FUCK OFF website with an official release, its not even a download on a members only website like uwlive, anyone who's anyone in Japan can get this....and we were not told about its release at all...even if we can't get it yet, i'd still like to know about it somehow without having to search google every day for news on new Underworld stuff

stop making it hard for us to find out news thats all i say...

(and i'd happily reference the New Order websites that always tells of news of every release whether the home location of that website has access to them or not - its keeping the fans up to date thats important....this is Underworld news and whether we can get hold of the thing or not, is by the by...)

Yes we cant compare the infos of releases of the No and Underworld.
Shame for Undie fans:(

[joethelion]

yea - this is proper BS that we got no info whatsoever about this PROPER release


...although - you could always say that we weren't told b/c none of us could've bought it

...but then - you could counter that w/ the fact that it's crap that this is literally a release for only one specific group of people, and we can't even waste $$$ on paying import prices

...which at least a good few of us would / have done

("what, the ambient mix of NUXX is on the Japan import? it's $30? I already have all the other mixes... aw shoot - I'm still buying it")

[bearbrick1]

Maybe this will be released as a single in the shops? I bloody hope so.

[potatobroth]

yea - this is proper BS that we got no info whatsoever about this PROPER release


...although - you could always say that we weren't told b/c none of us could've bought it

...but then - you could counter that w/ the fact that it's crap that this is literally a release for only one specific group of people, and we can't even waste $$$ on paying import prices

...which at least a good few of us would / have done

("what, the ambient mix of NUXX is on the Japan import? it's $30? I already have all the other mixes... aw shoot - I'm still buying it")

dont think for one second that the ebay of iTunes-Japan Gift Cards isnt lighting up right now... so its just a question that i always go back to: Why on earth are there still limited releases?

[crank]

wait.
why can't we fire up the Japanese Itunes shop and purchase it? Is there some blocky blocky blocky block?

[undarrenworld]

wait.
why can't we fire up the Japanese Itunes shop and purchase it? Is there some blocky blocky blocky block?

Language?:confused:
Japanese credit card?:confused:

[stimpee]

wait.
why can't we fire up the Japanese Itunes shop and purchase it? Is there some blocky blocky blocky block?If you bothered to read the 5th post in this thread you would have seen:
However, unless you have a Japanese credit card it doesnt matter because you can't buy it from outside Japan. Of course, you could buy a Japanese iTunes Gift Voucher.

[lloyd]

I am sure that this also will be on the uwlive shop later, including artwork and pictures by karl. Why wouldn't it?

[Cadevil]

...that is the question...

Really want to hear these new tunes on the JAL EP and I'm more than willing to spend the money on iTunes, but I think I'd rather buy it from UWlive.com. Any info on when these will be downloadable...

[testudo]

...that is the question...

Really want to hear these new tunes on the JAL EP and I'm more than willing to spend the money on iTunes, but I think I'd rather buy it from UWlive.com. Any info on when these will be downloadable...

i second this question; :D

[spacefish]

i second this question; :D

I'm interested too!

[stimpee]

No news as yet. If you check UnderworldLive.com today, you will see that the boys have just returned from Japan and are working on the live CDs. I think a lot of people are willing to buy the EP from itunes but if you read above, I have said that this is very difficult for people from outside Japan. However, its not impossible so if you really want to, you can buy it with the iTunes Music Card.

Otherwise, just keep looking on UWlive and lets hope it appears there soon.

[Cadevil]

From UWlive.com: "working on the next thing"


Next release: JAL to London ?

:D

[lloyd]

Isn't it called Jai to Tokyo anyway? Pete Tong thinks so ;)

[BeautifulBurnout]

From UWlive.com: "working on the next thing"


Next release: JAL to London ?

:D

Nah

Southend and Metro Line to Romford. ;)

[bryantm3]

today it's the #1 electronic download on iTunes Japan, with Born Slippy at #2.

[GoatSucker]

So... has anyone here bought this from iTunes Japan yet? Any quick reviews?

I too am waiting for this to be available from UWLive, but I don't think it will appear in exactly the same form. APFC and Food a Ready will hopefully be there, but not sure that the JAL Remix will make it.

[lloyd]

If.. the remix will be released on vinyl I don't think it will be in the shop no. But why was it at itunes japan then? hmmm...

[Dirty0900]

So... has anyone here bought this from iTunes Japan yet? Any quick reviews?

I too am waiting for this to be available from UWLive, but I don't think it will appear in exactly the same form. APFC and Food a Ready will hopefully be there, but not sure that the JAL Remix will make it.

The samples sound godd. APFC sounds nearly the same as the dirtyradio version and FAR osunds a lot more chilled.

[potatobroth]

if i had the means to buy it, i would have by now.

[holden]

The samples sound godd. APFC sounds nearly the same as the dirtyradio version and FAR osunds a lot more chilled.

Well, the 30 seconds or so of Ancient Phat that iTunes lets you hear sounds the same as what we've heard. But that was a 5 minute version. i want to hear something of the other 14 minutes!;)

[potatobroth]

Well, the 30 seconds or so of Ancient Phat that iTunes lets you hear sounds the same as what we've heard. But that was a 5 minute version. i want to hear something of the other 14 minutes!;)

well for a 19min track its not all that different from the 30 second clip you heard. dont expect Thing in a Book out of this one. i really liked this track when they played it on DirtyRadio and i still really like it. 19min is a long time though.

has a distinctive Rez quality about it, meaning there is a dropout, rolling buildup almost like a storm moving in, heavy moment and then it fades just to buildup again.

the real surprise here is Food a Thought. 'Riding Home's new home. Very mellow yet interesting track. My fave of the single.

[testudo]

so those who have both Jal to Tokyo EP and Pizza for Eggs...

Is it still worth buying JTT EP?

Is 'Food' different?
Obviously 'Phat Farm' is... at least in length.

Thanks in advance for the info.

[stimpee]

To get the full 19min+ version of Phat Farm you have to buy the whole EP, and the Woolford mix of JAL doesnt sound like the one he played on the essential mix either, I like it. Havent got Pizza For Eggs yet but as its quite a short song I suspect it will be the same, as JAL was on LBT/JAL EP.

[testudo]

this didn't answer my question.

is 'food a ready' the same as it is on the JAL TO TOKYO ep.

is there a longer intro or outro? I can't tell by the time that
it is longer on the JAL TO TOKYO ep (it's individual release).

thanks in advance for yer answersss.

[k-hoole]

ok. several have mentioned it is possible to order from japan if you do not live there. the gift card/voucher thing. i cannot find any way to buy one.
someone also sorta mentioned ebay. is that correct?

realistically, has anyone here bought the songs off of japan itunes???? how did you do it???

thanks!

:confused:

[GoatSucker]

ok. several have mentioned it is possible to order from japan if you do not live there. the gift card/voucher thing. i cannot find any way to buy one.
someone also sorta mentioned ebay. is that correct?

realistically, has anyone here bought the songs off of japan itunes???? how did you do it???

thanks!

:confused:

Haven't tried this myself yet, but it should be possible to buy a iTunes Japan voucher from http://www.jlist.com/SEARCHES/itunes_japan/
They'll scan and email the card number to you, and provide an address in Japan to set up your iTunes account.
Only downside is that the JAL ep is 1500 yen, and the smallest card available is 2500 yen, which costs $30.

[k-hoole]

Haven't tried this myself yet, but it should be possible to buy a iTunes Japan voucher from http://www.jlist.com/SEARCHES/itunes_japan/
They'll scan and email the card number to you, and provide an address in Japan to set up your iTunes account.
Only downside is that the JAL ep is 1500 yen, and the smallest card available is 2500 yen, which costs $30.hella rad. thank you. spendy, but i've blown more for an import with one extra song.

will let you know how it goes.

:D

[stimpee]

this didn't answer my question.

is 'food a ready' the same as it is on the JAL TO TOKYO ep.

is there a longer intro or outro? I can't tell by the time that
it is longer on the JAL TO TOKYO ep (it's individual release).

thanks in advance for yer answersss.Food A Ready is 7:22 on JAL to Tokyo EP and about 6:55 or so on Pizza For Eggs. Ancient Phat Farm Coat is about 8:05 on PFE vs 19:43 on the JAL EP.

[ultradave]

Haven't tried this myself yet, but it should be possible to buy a iTunes Japan voucher from http://www.jlist.com/SEARCHES/itunes_japan/
They'll scan and email the card number to you, and provide an address in Japan to set up your iTunes account.
Only downside is that the JAL ep is 1500 yen, and the smallest card available is 2500 yen, which costs $30.

Keep in mind folks - iTunes tracks are encoded at 128kbps, whereas once this is finally released on the dirt site (HOPEFULLY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY SOON!!!), it'll be or should be 192kbps. Unless you have the cash to blow...

cheers.

now playing: "Feel Every Beat - Electronic"

[potatobroth]

really? i coulda sworn my iTunes tracks were encoded at 192.

EDIT: ah, yer right. 128kbps AAC -- which translates to 160-192 MP3 is what i just read on apples site.

[ultradave]

It's now July and still no sign of the EP being released on underworldlive.com. I caved, I could no longer wait to get it. Awaiting my iTMS japanese gift card for 2,500 Yen. The only problem now is finding unavailable tracks to purchase with remaining 1,000 Yen I'll have left. I figured the 1,500 Yen it'll cost translates to about $14US. Besides, the boys just gave me a free gift - The Misterons Mix - can't wait to hear it. Thanks Boys!!!

now sampling - Darren Emerson's H20 - Bouncer Single - sounds good...

[TheBang]

For others interested in going the iTMS gift card route, 1500 Yen cards are available here:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=japan+itunes&category0=

I bought one and had no problems. Just ask him to send the code via e-mail.

[Icke]

really? i coulda sworn my iTunes tracks were encoded at 192.

EDIT: ah, yer right. 128kbps AAC -- which translates to 160-192 MP3 is what i just read on apples site.
128 is still 128.

Remember when "they" said that 128kbps mp3 was equal to CD quality?

[Jan]

128 kbps itunes aac is not that bad. Check out this (http://www.maresweb.de/listening-tests/mf-128-1/results.htm) listening test.
Are those files DRM'ed? Because that is MUCH worse, and would probably keep me away from buying in stupid itunes. :mad:

[dubnobasswithme]

Are those files DRM'ed? Because that is MUCH worse, and would probably keep me away from buying in stupid itunes. :mad:

yeah they are, though all you have to do is burn the AAC files to an audio cd through itunes and then you can re-import them as any format you wish.

[Icke]

yeah they are, though all you have to do is burn the AAC files to an audio cd through itunes and then you can re-import them as any format you wish.

though that means double lossy compression (unless you're using FLAC).

[dubman]

Allright Already

[stimpee]

If you purchase tunes thru iTunes 5.0+ and 6.0+ then you cannot strip the protection away. I recommend uninstalling them (BEFORE you purchase) and then install v4.9 and buy thru the store that way. Then you can use JHymn to remove the DRM.

[joethelion]

so basically - if you've only got the new iTunes, then you're just straight S.O.L.

- and there are people who'd say that doing this whole sneaky way to "import" these songs off of another country's iTunes is just as bad as straight pirate-ing

...so

hmm

basically - you're telling me I'm never going to hear that mix of JAL, save for like crappy radio rips or part of other people's mixsets...

[dubnobasswithme]

basically - you're telling me I'm never going to hear that mix of JAL, save for like crappy radio rips or part of other people's mixsets...

there is still the possibility that the JAL mix will be on some of those 12" that karl has been talking about releasing.... don't abandon hope quite yet ;)

[stimpee]

and there are people who'd say that doing this whole sneaky way to "import" these songs off of another country's iTunes is just as bad as straight pirate-ingits not pirating. whoever suggests that is talking out of their ass. if you want to buy it, get iTunes 4.9, get the 1500 Yen card, but the tunes and strip the DRM.

If not, just get the 1500 Yen card, buy the EP with whatever iTunes and burn the files to CD.

[Sean]

there is still the possibility that the JAL mix will be on some of those 12" that karl has been talking about releasing.... don't abandon hope quite yet ;)Let's hope. If it's made available to buy in a way that I just pay money to someone and they give the tracks to me in return, then I'll so totally do it. Not a big fan of making a purchase that you need detailed instructions for.

[mmm skyscraper]

Let's hope. If it's made available to buy in a way that I just pay money to someone and they give the tracks to me in return, then I'll so totally do it. Not a big fan of making a purchase that you need detailed instructions for.

although it's still easier and cheaper to buy the JAL to Tokyo EP than it was for someone not living in England to buy the Hump 12". We've come a long way.

[TheBang]

1. If you're using iTunes/iPod, there's no reason to de-DRM the files.
2. If you want to use a different software player and/or non-iPod-hardware, AND you want to convert to another audio file format (FLAC, Ogg, MP3, etc.), there's no reason to de-DRM. You'll get the same quality by simply burning to CD-R and ripping from that, as you will by de-DRM and then converting.
3. If you want an original unmolested 128 Kbps AAC file playable on non-iTunes/iPod, then you have to de-DRM.

[TheBang]

FYI, here are the easy instructions again on how to buy it:

First, you need to get a Japan iTunes Music Card (or just the 16-digit code from the back of it). I suggest J-List or eBay:
http://www.jlist.com/SEARCHES/itunes_japan/
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=japan+itunes&category0=

Second, you need to load the Music Card credit into a Japan iTunes Music Store account.
1. Launch iTunes on your Mac or PC, select Music Store, and choose Japan from the Choose Country popup at the bottom.
2. Make sure you are not signed into an existing account. It should say "Account: Sign In" in the upper-right corner.
3. Click the "iTunes Music Cards" link on the left, and enter the 16-digit code from your Japan iTunes Music Card, and click Redeem.
4. You will be prompted to create a new account. Use any address in Japan you like. You can do this in English or any language that's supported by iTunes.
5. Now your new account should be loaded with the credit from your iTunes Music Card.

Third, find the music you want, add it to your cart, and checkout.

[ultradave]

1. If you're using iTunes/iPod, there's no reason to de-DRM the files.


This is true. If you d/l a DRM track from a seperate account - you can still listen to it on the iPod - just not in iTunes w/out having to switch user accounts.

[ultradave]

http://www.jlist.com (http://www.jlist.com/SEARCHES/itunes_japan/)

I ordered 2 days ago and got no response. Then I get an email saying they're back ordered. I told them if it was going to take longer than 2 weeks to cancel my order - I got an email 2 secs later cancelling my order. Thanks...

Guess I'll be making my purchase from eBay... like everything else I buy... The good old days of searching for music in an actual music store is coming to it's close... :( 'my life is a soundtrack'

[dubnobasswithme]

Guess I'll be making my purchase from eBay... like everything else I buy... The good old days of searching for music in an actual music store is coming to it's close... :( 'my life is a soundtrack'

totally go the ebay route. i did a 'buy it now' auction on a 1500 yen card at 3pm on tuesday and had the itunes code in my inbox when i woke up this morning. after redeeming the code on itunes (and filling in a random address from osaka), i got the ep :)

[ultradave]

totally go the ebay route. i did a 'buy it now' auction on a 1500 yen card at 3pm on tuesday and had the itunes code in my inbox when i woke up this morning. after redeeming the code on itunes (and filling in a random address from osaka), i got the ep :)

Yeah, I did. Hopefully it'll be in my inbox in the morning...

anxiously awaiting... Jal To Tokyo here I come!!! Wooo Hooo!!!

[TheBang]

This is true. If you d/l a DRM track from a seperate account - you can still listen to it on the iPod - just not in iTunes w/out having to switch user accounts.
That's not true either. You don't have to do any user account switching. If you downloaded it on that machine, you don't have to do anything. If you copied it over from another machine, then you just have to authorize that machine for that account the first time you try to play one of the DRM'd tracks. Then you'll be fine.

The only user account switching you have to do is for making the purchases in the iTunes Music Store if you're purchasing from different country stores, because an account can only be associated with one country's store. One computer can be authorized for playing back multiple accounts simultaneously.