Ed--March 4

On the strength of some very strong critical reviews I dl'ed "The Crane Wife" by the Decemberists. Not my cup of tea. There's a very specific 70's prog rock sound I can't exactly put my finger on: The Moody Blues without the orchesta? maybe Jethro Tull or Procol Harum...? Artsy lyrics and big production. Anyway, lots of other folks liked em', but it'll probably get lonely in my download folder unless Thomas takes a shining to them.

On the other hand, I made a trip to the Fayetteville library this week (good selection of music) and picked up "Boys and Girls in America" by The Hold Steady. I kind of like these guys, even though listening to this album front-to-back makes you want to go on a three day carrot juice cleanout diet. Boys and girls exploring various altered states of consciousness in America. Lots of obvious Bruce Springsteen influence. I could listen to this going down the road somewhere.

Also one cursory listening to Bob Dylan's "Modern Times," during a bike ride last Sunday. You know, you never find yourself saying, "Jeez, I wish he'd written just one more verse to that song."

This week's jazz study material: Charlie Parker's "Ornithology" and "Oleo" by Sonny Rollins. I've probably bitten off more than I can chew here.

OK, so what are you listening to?