Ben Folds -Way to Normal (2008) I'm a little new to Ben Folds. I didn't really like any of his records but through his production work -which I do like- I'm better able to experience the fun that is Ben Folds. If you like Ben Folds, you probably already have this old record.

Bon Jovi -Greatest Hits (2010) I'm actually listening to this one and The Circle (2009). It's amazing how much these songs all sound like rock radio. I can always imagine driving with the top-down. Perpetual beer commercial and the cameras give the effect that we're spinning. Or I'm in a hair salon. All of these songs are completely corny but they're totally fun and I like that Jon tries to be serious about "workin' man" issues and stuff. Obviously, everyone in Jersey knows who's Boss.. At least Richie Sambora can still pull out some fiery solos. Is he still married to Tommy Lee's ex-wife? I also like how Bon Jovi has songs that are like U2. The only difference is that I don't ever get the feeling that Bon Jovi is trying to fool me the way I do with U2..

Eric Avery - Help Wanted (2008) Why did no one tell me about this record before? This is like listening to a John Cale record with a little more California sunshine. Half of that is due to the deep vocals. It sort of sounds like Deconstruction and other Avery stuff. It always sounds like the lyrics are a little too "art-school" and trying too hard to be deep. That being written, I still like this record a lot!

Fight -War of Words (1993) I don't know what I've been doing not listening to this. You have to realize I keep a "Defenders of the Faith" draped on my mirror that says "Keep the Faith". I'm a total fan of Judas Priest. I guess I was afraid this record would not be as good as Judas Priest? It isn't but it's a billion times better than most records. AND features 2 Priest members. Halford even gets to do some more American-sounding metal in here. 

Nirvana -Nevermind Super Deluxe Edition (2011) This is great! I got sick of this album years ago but now it's really fun again. Very often with these special edition things there are lots of songs that were on the cutting room floor for a really good reason. Not so here. Most of these extra tracks are interesting to listen to. Even the Boombox Rehearsals are cool. They give you the sense that this is the olden days when we were all still using cassettes to learn about music.

Robert Downey Jr. -The Futurist (2004) OK. I admit I was curious. This sounds like a musical version of that movie "Short Cuts". There's something strangely un-musical about this album even though it is all sort of well-done. Downey writes most of these tunes and apparently plays the piano sometimes. He even sings well. The production is sort of okay but it comes across as being like... it's trying too hard. Nonetheless, it is certainly not as crazy as the William Shatner records, which are amazing but there is a certain fun in imagining Iron Man as a lounge singer.

Yuck -Yuck (2010) This band is from London, England, and came to me because someone suggested that if I liked some of the songs by GroupLove, then I might like this. Wrong. I already have the good Dinosaur Jr. records and I've heard a billion-million-jillion shoegazer bands in the 90s. This is not compelling at all. It's sort of ok and I'm sure would be fun at a club. Honestly, the bands we have here generally suck and something like this would be fun because they have great guitar sounds from the 90s. There's nothing really transcendent here and the name is terrible. Although "Suicide Policeman" is a pretty funny title. To me, that seems very British.