David , so glad you're working with Ms. Faithful, she truly is a legend and her latest record is very good (She worked with PJ Harvey and Nick Cave on some of the tracks). Very dark record and her voice is just fine by me. I hope to see your name on her next release. Also pumped to see you working on more film stuff.

Nothing personal, but Maroon 5 is evil music. DO NOT BUY THIS RECORD!!!  If you want R&B infused pop rock, try The Zutons from the UK, way beter lyrics, licks and grooves!

Sorry folks, Killers do nothing for me. Average new wave retro music sung by a mornon punk from Vegas Though they are beter than The Bravery, I won't even go there!

Gene, I have yet to figure out your taste in music, Arcade Fire's "Funeral" is/ was one of the best recordings of the past year. I picked it up after I did my year end poll (otherwise it would have been #2 for the year, behind Ray LaMontagne). Amazing piece of music, sorry that you didn't get it.

Here's my shortlist of latest purchases:

Art Of Figthing, Brendan Benson, Andrew Bird, Marianne Faithful, Los Super Seven, Maria McKee, Reindeer Tiger Team, Shout Out Louds and Martha (Bloody Fucking) Wainwright.

Check one or two of them out. Andrew Bird is my fav this year, with Bright Eyes and Art Of Fighting close behind. Maria McKee's new one is a welcome return to her older sound.