Oldies Are New Again

I was so sad when CBS-FM, New York 101.1, went off the air, to be replaced by the all-computerized Jack-FM. But yesterday, the unprecedented happened: CBS got so many complaints from oldies lovers that they reinstated the old station (adding the '80s to its mix), as well as most of the voice staff. Yeah!

The Char-lady's Favourite

I am a terrible ironer. I'm not very good at it, and I'm very slow. I also procrastinate until there is a mountain to be done. The only thing that can keep me concentrating at the ironing board until the entire pile is pressed is Erasure's "Pop! 20" greatest hits album. That's nearly the only time I listen to them, but they certainly play an important role in my life. So, cheers, guys. Wanna come over and just do my ironing for me? I'll sing for you!

We Can Still Hear Your Voice

R.I.P., Beverly Sills. You'll always be my Violetta.

Static and Kinetic

I don't know why I should expect Out magazine to supply sophisticated music criticism, but I took their recommendation and listened to the new Patrick Wolf [top] album. They described his songs as "gorgeous." Clearly, I'm missing something, because I got bored with every song before it was done.

Still, I do miss things sometimes... take Rufus Wainwright [bottom]; I'm nine years late discovering that fascinating wordsmith and melody weaver. Sorry, Rufus. But now I get the joy of learning all your albums. Such a cool name, too!

What a Difference an L makes

1. Emo. A massively popular style of music featuring whining vocals, monotonous melodies, static rhythms, and vacuous lyrics. [Embrace, one of the originals, is pictured top.]

2. Elmo. A massively popular monster, nephew of Grover on Sesame Street, featuring soft red fur, a curious mind, and a winning personality.

Household Rhythms

The spirit of John Cage [pictured] is alive and well, and you know he's looking down with a rakish grin. Check out this four-movement percussion piece video from Sweden called "Six Drummers," created entirely of found objects in an apartment!

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-funny/1866682

More Snap in My Rap

Recently I've been listening to Beck [top], who proves that rap can be articulate -- even exquisite -- yet lose none of its power. For my money, the only other interesting innovations in rap right now are coming from Kanye West [bottom], who uses the style as a backdrop for his gospel-music sensibility and his intense social criticism.