As you know, I've always liked art rock, like Genesis, Yes, King Krimson and Gentle Giant. I remember that you and I share those groups as favorites. But I'll bet you're just like me in that you've heard everything each of them has done about a zillion times. It's still great, but I've just heard it so many times.

Now days, I find myself listening to a lot of "good times" music. It isn't as technical, but it's upbeat and fun. Things like 50's music, especially stuff that has cars and girls and hanging out on Saturday night as the themes.

In the late 90's, there was a period where I really liked a lot of what was popular then. The Wallflowers, Sarah McLachlin, Verve Pipe, Alanis Morissette, Matchbox 20, Our Lady Peace and Tool. You have to hear Tool's version of No Quarter. Oasis was good except I think they had a bit much to drinbk and twisted the knobs a bit much in the editing room so everything sounds distorted. Even Metallica and Nine Inch Nails sort of grew on me after a while. I didn't think much of' em at first, but they grew on me.

That's sort of a random list of stuff I liked in that period. Here's another artist I really like, probably you've already checked 'em out but maybe not. Did you ever hear Oingo Boingo? That's Danny Elfman's band, and he is the person responsible for so many of the movie soundtracks in the last decade. His soundtracks have a specific "sound," as does Oingo Boingo. Boingo is kind of jazz/rock meets big band, lots of horns. Elfman's soundtracks include Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and dozens of others. His specialty seems to be surreal action movies and his soundtracks fit them, having a sort of surreal orchestral quality.

Lately, I've been introduced to some new sounds from people bringing them to listen to my speakers. Of course, Diana Krall is one that a lot of people play. Frank Sinatra is a favorite, and so is Dean Martin. Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole's daughter, is nice too. There's a bunch in that category that really sound nice and relaxing, perfect for a dinner party. I've even found myself beginning to listen to some of this alone. A couple that Akhilesh introduced me to are the Silk Road Project and Yo Yo Ma. He does some very interesting music. Check it out.