PopTodd

Agreed. It's nice to drop the jaded thing and just feel good for a little while.

(that one with no name on it it The Irenes - Live at Young Camelot. It's a young Chicago punk/garage band that will be appreciated by fans of The Strokes and the first Kings of Leon record.)

"The Immigrant Song" popped up on my iTunes this morning and I had to crank it… LOUD!

Just watched the first season of Derek. The title character is, in all honesty, the most likable character in the history of TV. Maybe in the history of any fiction that I have ever encountered. Absolutely love him. And love the show. Can't wait for season 2 on Netflix. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2616280/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Took my son to the Anime Central convention just outside of Chicago. ("A-Cen" in Rosemont.) This was our third year and, as always, we had a great time. Watched all the people in their elaborate costumes, discovered a couple of new manga series and picked up an interesting-looking anime, which I am sure we will dig. After, we stopped at his favorite restaurant--in River Grove--and had a killer Italian meal. An amazing day. I love hanging with that kid when I get him away from his brother.

It's been a while since I've heard it. But I think that you have no need to apologize. That is a great pop record.

I like the JSBX in small doses, only. It's a bit too much of a schtick. But, at the same time, I can totally appreciate it. And, when I'm in the right mood, I can even dig it.

For a while, I had a hard time listening to Summerteeth any more. I just listened to it so much that I burnt out on it. It's been a while though. I should put it back on again sometime soon.

He seems like an awesome guy. Like a good friend's weird uncle who you can't help but love, because he is just so sweet and uniquely cool.

Speaking of Beefheart: Not a fan. (Getting back on topic, as well.)

Nice! Listening to Watt (solo) right now. It would be awesome to hear some Watt stories from Ed. Touring with that guy had to be a total trip.

truer words have never been posted.

So then, check out some of the excellent stuff posted here and correct that.

Dig that Thomas Mapfumo video. I'll look more into that, for sure. And, I forgot another catalyst for me: Dur-Dur Band I heard this album on Spotify and it kicked my ass. SPOTIFY LINK: http://play.spotify.com/user/126535916/playlist/4TPLGseg9j2q0sWdwKZ4Qh Check it out and see what you think. Not sure exactly where they're from, but I have yet to pick it up -- just been listening on Spotify. I really should buy it, though.

Going to see Lyle Lovett at Ravinia.

Checking out the samples on Amazon right now and adding it to my wish list. Tons of energy! I'm digging it! And, I love Damon Albarn and will certainly pick up Everyday Robots, but will tread cautiously with Mali Music. It's probably just a psychological thing, but when I get something with Damon's name on it, I want a Damon album. Of course, I have loved just about everything that he has ever done. So, I'll probably wind up picking it up eventually. Damnit!

I've been loving the whole Brazilian/Tropicalia thing for a long, long time now But it's only been in the last year or 2 that I've started listening to much music that has come out of Africa. Guess that it started with Cesaria Evora -- a Cape Verde singer who sounded enough like the Brazilian artists that I love, and who sang in Portuguese, to boot. But then, last year, when that Bombino record came out, my interest was genuinely piqued and I started keeping my ears open to that Tuareg stuff. Another North African group, Etran Finatawa, grabbed my ear next, and then I picked up something total