Just to help assure my faithful readers that it's not just one band I care about, I thought I'd take this time to remind myself what an exciting time for new music this is! Yessirree, Bob there's more than one new album coming out soon that I can't wait to get my hands on.

the Mars Volta! Probably much more talented than the Bronx. The term "musical genius" really hits home once you start to appreciate how much thought and effort goes into this band's albums. It's basically frightening how good they are. I'd try to explain it in detail, but I'd probably just melt your brain. Amputechture will be released Aug 22nd. Bitchin'.

Mastodon Said it before, and I'll say it again. Heavy metal just makes sense when you hear it from these guys. There's something so primal, brutal, and cleansing about rocking out to this Atlanta foursome. "Blood Mountain" (their 4th album) has been finished - they have artwork and the single all picked out...but I can't find a release date.... I want it. **side note** they'll be playing Seattle in less than 2 weeks....again, Brian I'm so effin' jealous. **

the Format Wowsa. Another superbly talented group with an amazing & highly anticipated album. Extremely mellow, extremely catchy. Joey predicts they make it big with this album. "Dog Problems" in stores July 11th. AP.net has been pimping this one hardcore..... we all know that means stardom is just around the bend... ** they play Seattle Aug 25th....I don't hate Brian for this one because he'll be stuck in WL here with me :) **

Muse I was skeptical initially, but I withdraw any earlier disrespectful statements about this band. Yeah, they're popular, Yeah you can go eat a d**k while I go out and buy this CD and enjoy the hell out of it. July 11th. Black Holes and Revelations. 'Nough said. ** These last two don't count as much since they're so far away, but they're still on my Radar Screen and worth mentioning as long as I'm on the topic of anticipated new albums..... ****

Vaux - Beyond Virtue, Beyond Vice. These guys basically got screwed by their record label at the exact same time they finished their last album....so they've been selling home-burnt copies in CD jackets hand-spraypainted for the last few months. BUT! Now they've found a record label willing to agree to their terms, so they're officially releasing the album. I've had my "unofficial" official copy for a few months now - but come Aug 1st joe shmo will be able to get his!

The Black Keys - Magic Potion. Two young white guys who sound like two old Black Guys. southern. bluesy. soulful. A simple formula that works. I'm curious what I'll be hearing come sept 12th of this year. So THERE! ... I'm still counting down to the 20th ... at which point I'll run down to Von's only to be dissappointed that they don't have what I want - but THEN I'll find a way to get my hands on the new Bronx album. But even if it sucks and I'm totally dissappointed (which I WONT be) - there's plenty more to look forward to. That makes me happy.

Final Note on this entry: Both the new Moneen album (the Red Tree) and the new Saves the Day album (Sound the Alarm) have been two of the best purchases I've ever made. They both display some incredible songwriting and staying power.

final final note: Kenny's saying "hey - HEY YOU! Yeah YOU! If you don't start singing along I'm coming back there and I'm going to KILL YOU". Hah. Canadians are hilarious.