Music notes:

- So I flipped through the album reviews section of the latest issue of Spin Magazine this morning. I was a bit sad. The only Artists reviewed that I had ever listened to before were Bruce Springsteen, Morrissey, and Lisa "Left eye" Lopez. I fear I am getting old and becoming out of touch.

- Apparently the Silver Jews are calling a quits. I would have thought that this news would affect me much more that it does. The Natural Bridge and American Water, are two of my favorite albums ever. 3 years ago, I drove 8 hours one way and through tornado spawning thunder storms to see them perform live in Wisconsin. But when I heard the news, I just sort of felt like shrugging. It was not all together surprising to me. I guess the Joos served their purpose for me 10 years ago and will always hold a special place in my heart, but I have grown away from them. The Joos, message has also changed in recent albums with Berman become a religious man. You might know that religion doesn't really do it for me. The final album "lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea," had some good tunes and turned a clever phrase to two, but I'd be surprised If I have listened to it more than 15 times in full. Anyway, I am grateful for the music they have given me and the world...it doesn't get much better in modern rock and roll than "Black and Brown Blues" or "Wild Kindness."

- I am kind of addicted to the Mountain Goats these days. They have been around along time, but I only just started listening to them in 2008. The album "We shall all be Healed" is the complete package and I can just listen to it over and over again. The music reminds me of Neutral Milk hotel but with choruses and hooks embedded in the songs. I think you should go listen to them...all five of you.