Not a whole lot tonight

- I found this really cool link in the blog One Louder that I often read. It is an Interactive Music Quiz where you enter the name of your favorite band and then see how well you can identify their album covers. For my "RPR Readers at Work", you may be able to waste a good 30 minutes on this.

- Music Update: I downloaded Death Cab for Cutie's new album, Plans, and I think it's pretty good. Have to go back and get their prior album, Transatlanticism, because I've only heard select songs and some say that it's still their most solid record. Favorite tracks from Plans: "Someday You Will Be Loved", "Your Heart is an Empty Room", and "Soul Meets Body".

Additionally, I'd recommend A.C. Newman's solo album, Slow Wonder, full of very catchy rock tunes that are long enough where it'd keep your attention, but short enough to keep you yearning for more than 11 tracks. Favorite tracks include: "On the Table" and "Miracle Drug".

Excellent segue into A.C. Newman's band, the New Pornographers, whose new record, Twin Cinema is also on my list of records to check out. Anybody heard it? Which older album of theirs is worth listening to as well?

- I'm usually not too big on commenting on national affairs, current events, or politics (god forbid), but I just have to make a few comments about this craziness going on in the Gulf Coast states. The more I read about the devastation and destruction that's occurred down there, it becomes harder and harder to fathom what these people must be going through. Their homes are ruined, their livelihood has taken on a completely different course, and many have missing friends and relatives. I'm not telling you anything you can't read on the internet or watch on CNN, but I just felt the need to write something about the situation. Your heart has to go out to these people, and it's awful to think how long it's going to take to get the city of New Orleans and many other towns/cities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama back to normal. In the past few days, I've caught myself bitching about the imminent rise in gas prices due to the hurricane damage. When it all comes down to it, all we have to do is pay $3/gallon, but still have the luxuries in life that we're used to. The people directly affected by Katrina have issues of far greater magnitude to be concerned with. Let's not forget this, and hope for the best for them.

Enjoy the beginning of September and I'll be back on Thursday night.