I get really excited about new music all the time-- sometimes it is a bit overwhelming. There is literally so much out today that I don't even know what to talk about. The writers strike may be over, but you can obviously feel its effect when you look at the movies out now in theaters. I have never seen it look so bad. I never thought I would actually choose to go see movies like the Bank Job and 21 simply because there was nothing else out there. But there has been no strike in the music business-- the albums just keep on coming out and I am not even getting time to spend with the albums I love. I have to move on to other ones and leave my favorite albums from weeks ago behind. I like to think that I have good taste when it comes to music, but I seriously have been liking a lot of albums lately. This week some of our old favorites have fantastic new albums. The Breeders have a new album out called Mountain Battles. I will forever love Kim Deal because of the Pixies, so she can really do no wrong. This album has grown on me and I find myself liking it much more that their last one. Nick Cave also has a new album out today. I have not had much time with it yet, but I do like it so far. I really can't stop thinking about seeing him at the Hollywood Bowl. The show is like a year away but I am already getting so excited. The Hollywood Bowl is one of my favorite places in the world. And Nick Cave + Hollywood Bowl = magic. Trent Reznor decided to do a completely instrumental Nine Inch Nails album. It is called Ghosts I-IV. I listened to it today and I sort of forgot it was Nine Inch Nails halfway through it. I do like myself some instrumental music and there were some really great songs on it, I am just not sure I really get it yet. I did find myself wishing for those Trent Reznor vocals on many of the songs. I just need to give it some more time. The Drift has an amazing all instrumental album out today called Memory Drawings. The album sounds similar to their label mates Explosions in the Sky. I know Wumpscut is not for everybody, but I found myself obsessed with their album Bone Peeler from a couple of years ago. I seriously listened to that album over and over again. Sometimes I need some hard and intense dark music in my life. And Wumpscut don't ever let me down.

So last week was a bit busier and next week will again be super busy. But these things come in waves. Just two albums coming out today worth talking about. I will not be wasting your time talking about the new Avril Lavigne. So I am totally impressed with this dude: it seemed like he was off taking a long break for a while, but then he put out a great new album a couple years ago, With Teeth. It kind of surprised me.

And now Nine Inch Nails is back with a new one already Year Zero.  Trent Reznor basically is NIN. He has been creating music for us for almost 20 years now.


2007 is actually the 20th anniversary of Trent's appearance in Light of Day with Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett. You might need to watch it again to catch him in a bar scene playing keyboards in "The Problems." Michael J Fox and Joan Jett are like the rock and roll bar band Carpenters as a brother and sister band called the "Barbusters." Gena Rowlands is amazing as always as their mother. Joan Jett is not only a rocker but a single mom in the movie!



Trent started his career with the brilliant album Pretty Hate Machine on TVT records, an album that basically invented a whole new type of music. It also had a huge influence on many bands. I know many people who still regard it as one of their favorites. He made industrial music that was more accessible and catchy than most. The songs actually kind of flowed and had lyrics that made sense. His albums are always dark and futuristic. This new album will for sure not upset any of his fans. Year Zero is dark, intense and brilliant.