Never really paid much attention to the lyrics since the music really kicks you in the junk.

Pretty much sums up my philosophy now, and then. Break the static….

build temples to your dreams take time to break the static you need to chase a challenge shake things up, blame nothing find something to wake your spirit you need to push your boundaries fall, fall into yourself when, when the sky is falling down you’re tied to your routine life a safe existence a life of dull compliance embrace the child in your mind wake your creative process you can’t condemn your wonders break the static chase some challenges embrace, challenge awake, embrace, challenge shake things up and live again time to shine on and shine bright your headlong voyage into the unknown daring missions to wake your senses escape mechanical existence

A nice way of a successful artist saying thanx to fans. Sometimes art is just that, art for art’s sake and not for making a buck.

Download it for yourself at NIN.com, and Play It Loud Mutha!

these are in no particular order, each with a link to the iTunes music store –

Josh Ritter – The Animal Years – Brilliant songwriting, clever musicianship, beginning to end a fantastic album of rootsy and blues influenced folk music.

Amy Winehouse – Back to Black – Oh, My, God. This woman can sing, and sing like no one else in music today. This album harkens back to the old motown sounds of the 60s and early 70s. Clever lyrics, catchy tunes and an album chock-full of great tunes.

Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace – Without a doubt the Foo Fighters are one of the most consistent songwriting groups of the past decade. Dave Grohl takes another left at the fork in the road and explores more folksy sounds and laid-back melodies. True to form this also has some fantastic rockers and driving music on it – ‘long road to ruin’ reminds me of old Eagles tunes like ‘take it easy’.

Matthew Good – Hospital Music – So you go into a huge depression, overdose, get divorced, get dropped by a big label record company (sony, you bastards!), what do you do? well, if you’re matt good, you put together one of his best works to date. the morose to pure pop, this album has anything and everything fans would like, and has attracted a new audience for matt’s music.

Radiohead – In Rainbows (online in iTunes in early 2008) – this is certainly not a ‘one listen and fall in love album’. it’s deep, complicated and somewhat inaccessible, much like recent previous releases. yet, this release has some underlying catchy hooks and clever lyrics, and much less use of samples and dance beats. it’ll take some getting used to, but this is an album that will continue to grow on you.

Serena Ryder -  Told you in a whispered song – hello, huge media and buzz bandits? what’s the deal. guess it’s because serena ryder is canadian because she is one of the most creative and talented new songwriters in recent memory. fantastic voice and range combined with folky/poppy hooks = winner!

Wintersleep – Welcome to the night sky – another fantastic indy canadian band. a sound that runs from deep inspirational dirges and echofests to straightforward rock tunes. terrific lyrics and unique production and vocals.

bad religion – new maps of hell. these guys have been punking and rocking music for over twenty years and still put out some of punk/rock’s consistently great albums. this one leads a little more towards the rock/social distortion end of the spectrum. age, change and the shift through time never leave bad religion behind. this album is as relevant as their first. cuts right to the chase and hits you in the face. worth the ten bucks to add to your collection.

they keep churning out catchy tunes, i especially liked the last album, the new album is surely going to be another alt-classic. they mix enough pop, 80s and 90s alternative and brit-poppie sounds to reel me in every time.

this is the best thing he’s released since early frank black albums, and the pixies as his other, alter-ego – black francis. no one writes three chord ditties quite like frank.