Riesling is possibly the most misunderstood grape varietal in the wine world, especially when it comes to American palates. Ask your average wine drinker in the U.S. what they think of Riesling and they'll undoubtedly say it's sweet. In many instances they're right. But Riesling runs the gamut from super sweet dessert wines to bone dry bottles that you could even pair with a steak. Riesling, which can show peach, apple and pear notes, pairs with a variety of food from soft cheeses, pork and fish or sushi to spicy Thai dishes and Indian curries and more.

In May, I had a great opportunity to take a trip sponsored by the German Wine Institute to visit German wine-growing regions. Germany has 13 distinct growing regions, with most centered around or near the Rhine river. We spent four full days hitting three of those regions--Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Mosel--and learning all about the diversity of the Riesling grape, and let me tell you, it's diverse. Riesling, like most German wines, are classified by a number of things. With Riesling, the wine can be a kabinett (a more basic wine that tends to be drier), spatlese ("late harvest," and is sweeter), auslese ("select harvest," and even sweeter) and on to beerenauslese (a late harvest dessert wine that tends to be a bit more syrupy and sweet). The quality of the wine and whether it's trocken (dry) or suess (sweet) all depends on where it's grown and how long the grapes remain on the vine. And one of the more impressive qualities of the vineyards, at least in the Mosel region, is that many reside on very steep slopes, giving the grapes better access to sun, wind and other elements that help the them grow and produce more robust, juicy fruit.

Continue reading "Understanding German Riesling: It's Not All Sweet" »

There's no question that Malbec has quickly become a favorite grape of American wine drinkers. The wine these Argentine grapes produce tends to be supple and rounded with soft tannins, allowing it to be drunk alone or with food.

I recently discovered a fantastic wine from Campo Vista Flores (just south of Mendoza, Argentina) that really knocked my socks off. The 2007 Clos de la Siete is predominantly Malbec (48%) but introduces a few other varietals to give it a real punch. The wine came to life by a group of seven Bordeaux winemakers (led by noted wine consultant Michel Rolland) who decided they wouldn't just do a Malbec. So they planted Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as well and the result is a great bottle.

The wine is, to put it simply, big and bold. The tannins hit your palate just at the right place and leave a hint of earth as the wine goes down. But its dark and ruby hues make way for wonderful blackberry, currant, violet and cherry notes that you'll want to go back to again and again.

Buy it online now for $13.95.

The Brit Boys are Big But Are They Getting Bored?

The reviews from Coldplay's current North American tour have been mixed — by both critics and fans. People who attended the band's Viva La Vida July 22 tour stop in Chicago said the sound was amazing and that it was one of the best live shows they'd ever seen. Expectations were high for last night's show, and the sold-out crowd screamed every time Chris Martin said anything into the mic — even when being goofy and cheeky while saying some canned lines he likely says at every show.

The band came out strong, walking out to the instrumental "Life in Technicolor" and then launching into a rousing version of "Violet Hill," which led to "Clocks," where the band and audience were swathed in red light and penetrated with multi-colored lasers. They played possibly every track off the new album — "Strawberry Swing" was a personal highlight — but where were the songs from the first three releases? For a show that ran nearly two hours, the band played more of a blend of greatest hits: "Yellow," "In My Place," "Fix You" (which, in true Coldplay grandiose style, was layered and beautiful), "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" (a cool remix version that was played on a small stage that jutted out into the crowd), "The Scientist" and "Politik," which again proved the band can fill a stadium with their now larger-than-life presence. A high point came when Martin announced they were filming a video for "Lost," which the band ran through twice — apparently something they did last night as well. The second run through was definitely tighter and more on point.

However, it would've been nice to hear more of a blend from all four albums (where the hell was "Talk" and "Everything's Not Lost"?) and at some points, it felt like Coldplay was phoning in the performance. "Speed of Sound" didn't have the energy of shows past. At times, Guy Berrymore — who couldn't be bothered for some reason to return to the stage for the surprise encore of "Green Eyes," despite Martin calling out for his longtime mate and carrying on anyway — looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. Same with Jonny Buckland. If Will Champion hadn't been such a rhythmic bruiser on the drum kit, he too, may have wanted to meet up with friends at a bar instead of being on stage. To that end, the nice thing about Coldplay is that, for the most part, they seem like they enjoy each others' company and like playing with each other — not an easy task for a major act on a worldwide tour. And this isn't to say the show wasn't fun, because it was. And they sounded great. But it would've been nice to hear them sound great on a wider variety of tunes. Hopefully they'll mix it up for the rest of the tour.

If you want to round out your summer with some sweet, golden "wish I grew up in the '70s" tunes, pay attention to Sunfold. This North Carolina band, fronted by the not-even-legal-to-drink Kenny Florence and backed by members of Annuals, is set to release its debut, Toy Tugboats, on July 22. If the rest of the album is as catchy as this single, "Sara the American Winter," it's going to help keep things warm around these parts well into the fall.

The '80s pop star proves he's still got it during this "farewell" tour

[Photos courtesy of Barry Brecheisen]

It only took 17 years, but George Michael finally returned to the big stage last night in Chicago -- and what a stage it was. Looking like a massive cascading waterfall, the multi-story-high LED backdrop—replete with light shows and now-vintage videos—flowed down to serve as Michael's stage and dance floor. The iconic '80s pop singer who has had more notoriety in the last decade for his sex scandals and drug busts put on a two-set, two-plus-hour show to a nearly sold-out United Center. Word has it that the previous show in Minneapolis only saw a half-full arena Michael allegedly played a half-assed show. Not the case in Chicago. He honestly seemed thrilled to be here and the crowd made him feel right at home.

Continue reading "Live Review: George Michael @ United Center, 7/9/08" »

When this song came across my desk (OK, my IM) about an hour ago, I couldn't believe the enormity of it. It sounds like it was made for a major arena circa 1977. L.A.'s Bigelf will drop their new album, Cheat the Gallows, Aug. 12 on Custard Records (Linda Perry's label). Check out "Money, It's Pure Evil" and listen for influences from the Beatles, Bowie, Pink Floyd — and even Lenny Kravitz (when he was still making good music). This album could be a big surprise this year — but I'm solely basing that on this one song (the tracks from their last album, which you can hear on MySpace, are decidedly heavier and darker a la Sabbath. Who knows, it could suck, but at least this song is cool). Apparently Alicia Keys is a fan. Random.

Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends breaks from the wispy pop of Coldplay's first three albums and mixes things up a bit. Gone are the easily accessible, radio-friendly chart toppers replaced with a collection of gorgeous ballads, layered symbiotic guitar-focused tracks and melancholy, insightful lyrics. But don't worry -- this is still Coldplay, only darker and more mature. The band teamed with legendary producer Brian Eno, who helped enlist diversity through sound: tribal congas permeate "Lost!"; acoustic Irish folksy guitars meet Spanish handclaps on "Cemeteries of London"; grandiose strings create mystery on "Yes"; and sunshine soundscapes on "Strawberry Swing." The album is bookended by the same instrumental loop starting on "Life in Technicolor" and taking things out on "Death and All His Friends." Viva has a well-traveled feeling, a collection of short stories that gets better with every listen. You may not immediately click with it, but give the album a few spins and you'll grow to appreciate Coldplay on a whole new level.

Last month, UR Chicago spent the afternoon hanging with Australian dance/rock group Cut Copy, in town for two hyped shows at the Abbey Pub and an after party at Smart Bar. We took along our friends from VIMBY (thanks Noah!) to capture the time, where we hit Crust pizza in Wicker Park (some of the guys are vegetarian), the Intelligentsia coffee roasting works in the West Loop (apparently it's not only Chicagoans who can't get enough of those beans -- it's also the band's No. 1 North American coffee choice) and Union Park (where Cut Copy will be this summer as part of the Pitchfork Music Festival). Our final stop, before dropping the guys back at the Abbey, was a quick trip to Dusty Groove -- Chicago's premier record shop for hard-to-find vinyl for serious DJs (lead singer Dan Whitford uncovered a Chic album he didn't have -- and they guys are ga-ga for the '70s disco heroes). Overall, the day was a blast, the weather cleared up and Cut Copy -- who is one of our faves -- couldn't have been a nicer bunch of guys.

 

No it's not the avocados; fresh sushi-grade fish; year-round hiking, surfing or biking; the abundance of hybrid cars; Half Dome; Coachella; Tahoe; Golden Gate Bridge; Hollywood or Hwy 1 (but these all pretty much kick ass). It's the fact that the California Supreme Court believes in the rights of all people.

California's high court today overturned a ruling saying that it's unconstitutional to deny gay couples the right to marry. They likened it to not allowing interracial couples to marry. The justices, in a 4-3 ruling, wrote, "In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples."

This is a huge day for our country. Massachusetts made same-sex marriage legal four years ago at the same time that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom started issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. All the marriages granted during that period had been nullified, but will now be reinstated. Today Newsom said, "It's a throwaway line, but I think it's true: As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation."

As a Chicago resident, I have to ask: So Mayor Daley -- when are you going to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses in the city? Let's make this happen!

"There ain't nothin' real about me but my heart," Dolly Parton told the sold-out crowd at the Chicago Theatre Thursday night, May 8. From the bleach blond wig (that she said came from a real nice Korean girl) to the voluptuous breasts (yes, they are even bigger up close -- and no, they ain't real), Dolly Parton brought her "Backwoods Barbie" tour to the Windy City -- and the crowd couldn't have been happier. The singer who has sold more than 100 million albums, has written hundreds of songs and has touched more hearts than you can shake a stick at was nothing but joyful and full of fun lovin' that night.

But one thing you notice when you're sitting up close (we lucked out and got fourth row center) is that Ms. Dolly, for all her talent and gumption, unfortunately lip synched a lot of her songs -- apparently the "ain't nothin' real" line wasn't just about her looks. This was a big surprise, and disappointment, because when you knew she was actually singing, she sounded great. But it almost didn't matter because she put on such a great show regardless. She played a bit of the banjo, harpsichord, violin, piano, recorder, a rhinestone-studded dulcimer and a worn-out, old acoustic guitar that was strapped on with nothing but a piece of rope -- apparently you can take the girl out of the Smoky Mountains but she's bringin' 'em with her wherever she goes. And thank god for that.

Continue reading "Dolly Parton Live in Chicago, May 8, 2008" »

As if bowing at No. 1 in 27 countries around the world with her new critically acclaimed album, Hard Candy, wasn't exciting enough news this week for Madonna fans, Madge just announced the (currently) 27-city European and North American "Sticky & Sweet" tour. She will no doubt announce more cities and fill in extra dates for the ones already announced (she always does -- she played four shows in Chicago for the Confessions tour in 2006). Tickets, which range from $55-$350, go on sale Sat. May 17 at 11 a.m. CST (at least in Chicago) through Live Nation and Ticketmaster (believe me, it's worth it to pay the high price -- I sat 14th row on the catwalk that jutted out into the center of the crowd and was 5 feet from her the last time -- surreal!). The tour kicks off in Cardiff, Wales on Aug. 23 and will hit Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam, London, Paris and elsewhere across the pond before jump starting the U.S. leg Oct. 3 at the Izod (?) Center in E. Rutherford, NJ (wasn't that Giants Stadium?!). Can you stand it?

This video is about 10 minutes long but is worth it. Brilliantly shocking. Watch it all the way through. It's definitely disturbing. 

Radiohead this morning announced a North American jaunt. Sort of. It will take place in two segments -- with a break in the middle for an early summer European tour. While specific dates aren't set, the band will hit the following cities:

Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Indy, LA, Miami, Montreal, NYC, Philly, San Diego, SF, Santa Barbara, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and DC.

Based on the above itinerary, it doesn't really seem like the band is playing any summer festivals -- although they do mention Chicago (Lolla?) and Philly (Vineland?) -- so who knows. But anyone hoping for Coachella or Bonnaroo ... the band isn't going anywhere near Indio or Manchester (unless LA hints toward Palm Springs, but that's a stretch). Either way, Radiohead is coming to America -- get psyched. Will they play sheds? small theaters? More info and exact dates coming soon...

** This Just In **

Acclaimed artist/producer BT speaks out on his missing daughter, Kaia Transeau, age 3- ½.  Kaia was abducted over three weeks ago by her mother.  There has been no contact since the first few days.  BT is making all reasonable efforts to find his daughter. Currently Kaia has been placed on the national missing persons NCIC (National Crime Information Center) list (phone number 1-304-625-2000).

BT states, “I am diligently and delicately working to do everything possible to amend this tragic family situation.  As a father my only goal is to get my daughter back home.   I appreciate your continued support and understanding in this desperate hour.”

Indie faves TV on the Radio are set to enter a Brooklyn recording studio in the coming weeks. While there isn't a lot of news to report, I can say that Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe have written a whole mess o' songs. Guitarist Dave Sitek will produce (he's worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Scarlett Johansson, Beck and NIN) and the band is scheduled to start mixing around March (assuming all goes well with the recordings). No word yet on what guests will join them, but knowing TVOTR, they'll likely invite some influential musical pals into the studio. Unlike TVOTR's last album, 2006's Return to Cookie Mountain, whose release was held up with legal wranglings with their former label, Touch and Go, this still-untitled set will hopefully come out in the fall.

this is an absolutely hilarious clip from a 1984 show hosted by Japanese comedian Takeshi Kitano.

two questions:
1. Why soccer with binoculars (if for no other reason than to make stoners laugh)?
2. What's up with those insane outfits?

watch and laugh...

                                 

You have to wonder why more businesses don't install the XLerator in their bathrooms

Is it actually possible to have another great rock band thrust at us from Paris (other than Phoenix, of course)? Where the band sings in English and doesn't have a hint of an accent -- and does it well? Neïmo might just be the next great hope to break through on our side of the pond (although they're kind of cheating now by moving to the US to tour throughout 2008). The band is parts rock and parts glam – think Velvet Underground meets Marc Boland and then runs into Frank-N-Furter doing lines with the Strokes. They have the package: fuzzed-out guitars, electro synts and commanding (sometimes insipid), storytelling vocals. They're going to hit SXSW – and I think they're going to be one of the buzzier bands down there.  If CBGBs were still around -- or if Neïmo were around in the late '70s -- they might be mentioned alongside the Ramones and Blondie. Bold statement? Sure. Check for yourself on their MySpace.

My pals over at Rotter and Friends have just released a slew of new T-shirt designs, one featuring an exclusive drawing by former Welcome Back Kotter star Ron Palillo, who you likely remember better as the funny and endearingly annoying Horshack. The intricate design is the first of two limited edition pieces commissioned, and it's printed on a mint-colored T and is available exclusively at the Rotter and Friends pop-up holiday shop at Moli.com for both men and women for $37. Don't walk ... run, because they will likely run out. This is a collector's item.

                                          

Hot Aussie indie dance rockers cum DJs (their 2006 FabricLive mix last year was truly amazing and one of my fave mixes to come out of the London super club) just dropped a new mix -- and we're one of the first places in the  US to have it (it was sent to my magazine, UR Chicago, as an exclusive from Modular Records). Based on what they've released in the past -- and how they (really lead singer/songwriter Dan Whitford) made me shake my booty with the FabLive mix, this one should be setting dance floors ablaze in no time. The mix features songs from Cut Copy's forthcoming album, In Ghost Colours (gotta love the non-American spelling), out April 8. It follows up their smash 2004 debut, Bright Like Neon Love, which was an album that I at first dismissed but revisited a year later and wondered why I had stayed away so long. Don't make the same mistake -- get on the Cut Copy bandwagon, you won't be disappointed.

Download the new mix here.

After undergoing groundbreaking chemo and radiation to help eradicate the cancer of the mount and tongue (officially called stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma) famed and celebrated Chef Grant Achatz of Chicago's Alinea is in remission. I just received this letter from Grant, sent by his publicist:

 "It is with a tremendous sense of gratitude and relief that I have successfully completed my course of therapy at the University of Chicago. It was incredibly important to me to remain as engaged as possible at Alinea while receiving treatment, and during that time I only missed 14 services. I continue to stand committed to innovating fine dining long into the future.

At this time I want to thank everyone at Alinea -- the staff, investors, and patrons of the restaurant have offered their unwavering commitment and support in ways large and small.  The community of restaurants, chefs, and industry professionals who reached out to us was exceptionally gratifying.

Most of all, I must make special mention of doctors Vokes, Blair, and Haraf at the University of Chicago Medical Center, as well as the countless number of medical professionals and support staff there who cared for me.  Where other doctors at prominent institutions saw little hope of a normal life, let alone a cure, these doctors saw an opportunity to think differently, preserve my tongue and taste, and maintain a long term high quality of life. Through the use of a new and rigorous Chemotherapy and Radiation protocol, they were able achieve a full remission while ensuring that the use of invasive surgery on my tongue was not needed. Onward."
 

                                          

Chicago blues diva Koko Taylor, Bay Area down-tempo/house genius Miguel Migs, legendary (albeit douchey) R&B guitarist/songwriter Ike Turner and indie rockers Joan as Police Woman, Apples in Stereo and the Silver Seas (!!!!) were all named winners in the 7th annual Independent Music Awards. The awards were chosen by an international panel that included the Kinks' Ray Davies, Mavis Staples, Snoop Dogg, Suzanne Vega, Judy Collins, music journo Anthony DeCurtis and many more.

Want a complete list of winners? Go here.

                               

Swedish psych rock (and slightly electronic) outfit the Soundtrack of our Lives are currently working on the follow up to 2005's Origins Vol 1, which, if you're familiar with it, blew your mind I'm sure [Update: just got a note this morning (Thurs) that the album will be available sometime this spring). They're going to announce a US tour soon and will also make a stop at SXSW in March. In the meantime, they've recorded a mellow, melancholy and slightly ironic Christmas song. Stream it and read along with the lyrics below.

"The Return of the Christmas Piper"

Everybody hit the mall again with the piper / Better hurry cause it´s Christmas time in my head
Gonna buy to everyone I can with the piper / Santa is coming and I think I´m seeing red
Here´s a present for you I saw it on youtube / With the the extras on and the making of the songs
And you know the set was really hard to get / It´s a limited edition and your copy was the last they had... / Everybody hit the mall again with the piper / Better hurry cause it´s christmas time my friend
Gonna fill another empty life with the piper / Shopoholics are anonymous again
Here comes Santa Clause / An old man I suppose / Jump into his lap - don´t mind if he´s too fat
Tell him that you´ve been good / As good as Robin Hood / If your wish come true this package is for you... / Only you... / (Old fashioned solo-singalong part makes Ric Ocasek happy)
Everybody hit the mall again with the piper / Better hurry cause it´s christmas time in my head
Gonna smoke up all my stash again with my piper / Santa is coming and I´m waiting here in my bed
Here´s a present for you / If the past is all you do / With the extras on and the things that turned out wrong / So you better be good /  While I´m knockin´ on heavens wood / May your wish come true ´cause I wrote this song for you... / For you...

If you jumped on the Cold War Kids bandwagon this year and never got the chance to procure their rare Mulberry Street EP, you are in luck. The band has just made it available for free download at RCRD LBL.com. Since most people know about CWK through their 2006 release Robbers & Cowards, this EP is a look into what went on with the band before they blew up and took the blogosphere by storm. Mulberry Street was their first of three 6-song EPs and was recorded in a garage in one day -- and only cost the band $60 -- in between listening to Iggy Pop and Neil Young and moving the lawn, according to singer Nathan Willett. As for RCRD LBL, it's an amalgamation of online labels and blogs that launched in November and offers free music for users from both veteran and up-and-coming bands from labels including Warp, Dim Mak, Ghostly International, Modular and more. At last check in, we learned that CWK are currently recording their follow up, likely for a 2008 release.

Feeling good about your vocabulary? Want to test yourself -- or enhance your knowledge of the English language? At FreeRice, by knowing the definitions of words, you can send grains of rice to hungry people in developing nations around the world. In partnership with the United Nations World Food Program, FreeRice has donated more than 9 billion grains of rice since it launched in early October. That first month, more than 537 million grains were donated; In November, that number jumped to 4.76 billion for the month. Obviously word is getting out and more and more people are playing the FreeRice game. Not only do you get to improve your vocabulary, but feel good at the same time, knowing you're helping put food on someone's plate. Worldwide hunger is one of the most serious issues threatening people today. According to the UN, 25,000 people (mostly kids) die from hunger or hunger-related causes. So instead of working on that report that's due by 5 pm, spend 20 minutes and see how many words you can get right. And when your boss yells at you, make them feel guilty they're not helping stomp out hunger.

OFFICE, one of Chicago's biggest buzz bands (who I wrote about over a year ago) is getting some major national attention. When their album, A Night at the Ritz, dropped in September on James Iha's Scratchie Records (in partnership with New Line), the band garnered a lot of press from Spin, Venus, LA Times, TimeOut Chicago and, of course, my magazine UR Chicago (which is owned by En Prise Entertainment, who manages OFFICE). The band hit it big late last week with a fantastic plug on MTV News; the segment was shot in LA, during the band's current West Coast tour. Check it...

                                       

On Wednesday night, British rockers the Kooks played a private show for about 250 people at Sam's Wines & Spirits' new location in Chicago's South Loop. While it may seem like an odd locale, it actually worked. The chill event was a promotion for the wine superstore pulled together by WXRT radio, with free wine samples, Goose Island beer and great food (shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare with guacamole, lobster rolls, etc) by Shaw's Crab House. But it was really the Kooks that brought the people. The guys – on a mini holiday tour for various radio stations around the country, played about 12 songs, mostly off their two million-selling (worldwide) debut Inside In/Inside Out, including "Ooh La," "She Moves in Her Own Way," "See the World" and the balls-out rocking encore "Jackie Big Tits." But it was also the addition of new tracks "Disappear" and another whose name I'm spacing that hinted at the band's new sound on their forthcoming sophomore album, Konk, scheduled to street April 15. The Kooks recently wrapped recording at former Kinks' frontman Ray Davies' legendary Konk Studios (hence the name of the album) and flew to LA to tighten it up with producer Tony Hoffer (Beck, Belle & Sebastian). Based on "Disappear," the track they played at Sam's, the Kooks seem to be building on their radio-friendly pop sound and moving into a more mature aggressive rock feel (a la the Stones in the early '70s) but with a country guitar edge. After their 45-minute set, I spoke with lead singer, Luke Pritchard, who I interviewed just over a year ago, and mentioned that they were likely popping over to nearby Buddy Guy's Legends to take in some quintessential Chicago blues. When in Rome...

[photos courtesy of Will Byington Photography]

Chicago's own Kid Sister (aka Melissa Young) just released the video for her first single, "Pro Nails." It was shot in a nail salon on Western Avenue in Roscoe Village for a mere $3,000 and is a sweet example of Chicago's growing Juke scene. What makes this video so hot (other than the appearance by Kanye and Kid Sis' fly ensemble and weave) is the ever-present finger dancing (especially when the tiny pants and shoes show up about midway through). Watch for Kid Sis' debut this year -- and look for her write up as one of the artists who made an impact on music in 2007 in the new issue of UR Chicago, which streets Dec. 6 (download the PDF).

Rumor has it that after Interpol mopes around tears up the stage at Chicago's Aragon this Thursday night they're going to hightail it over to hipster hang Empty Bottle in Humboldt Park to be the "surprise secret guest" currently being touted on the bill (in fact, friends of SG.com confirmed that it is going to happen). Already on the bill for the night are Rolan Vega and Far Rad. Show is called for 9 pm and tickets currently only cost $10. Don't run -- walk to secure your spot for Carlos D and his brood, who should go on around midnight. Buy tickets now.

The same question that's been asked for years: is MTV at all relevant? If tonight's VMAs were any indication then the answer would be a seriously loud no. First, could Britney's "come back" performance to open the show be any more dead? She looked like she was a second-rate stripper at a dress rehearsal and the lip syncing? Come on already. Sing dammit. Second, Gym Class Heroes, best new artist? Singing a Supertramp cover? Who the fuck are they anyway? Third, yes Chris Brown is talented, but again, sing, bitch. Come on -- what is wrong here? Justin had a great time, because he was drunk. Alicia Keys' new song was hot. Rihanna? Use your talent to record something memorable. Someone needs to produce an awards show for music that really matters and not shit that just sells records and premieres in the Billboard Top 10. Thank god for Tivo because if I had to honestly sit through two hours of that crap, I'd be pissed.