Why so "either/or"? The songs you included on the CD are quite good; clever, melodic, and well-played. No argument there. I wonder why such a vociferous reaction to Steve Earle, Michael Franti, Billy Bragg though? Sure, Eric Clapton is boring but that's hardly new news. Just don't listen to them. There's no need to denounce them for fraud.

I still like most of the stuff I've always liked. I don't listen to some of it as much as I used to but the stuff I used to care deeply about I still like to have around for when the mood strikes.

And I agree with you that there is lots of great new music around- as much as there's ever been. You have to dig it out though. The major labels only produce a thin formula and very little of it worth listening to.

I don't think that liking the stuff I used to like (and listening to it) means I'm stuck. If it is then deciding to only pursue a narrowly defined category of music to the exclusion of all else seems to just be a different form of stuck.

Music should be one area of our life that's just fun. If it’s not then don't listen to it. I guess this means you're not interested in seeing Steve Earle next month.