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I found this via Digg: Last.fm Mainstream-O-meter. It’s a website that uses your Last.fm playlist information to determine how mainstream your music taste is. I came in at a strong 54% mainstream, which is what I would have thought. Finally, the validation I so deserve for my elite music tastes!

Incidentally, I just started using Last.fm with my iPod a few days ago. I struggled with Last.fm for a long time. I didn’t understand why I would want a music player that randomly plays music close to what I want to listen to. If I want to listen to We Are Scientists, then dammit, that’s what I want to listen to. Last.fm plays stuff like We Are Scientists, but not the actual artist. Then I finally figured out the iScroggler, an application that sends recently played tracks from my iPod to Last.fm. Once on Last.fm, it rates, ranks, charts, displays, and ultimately creates a custom radio station for me. The more data Last.fm has the better the radio station. So now I’m psyched to use it. Now I will finally figure out just how cool I am.

I dub The Decemberists latest album The Crane Wife my favorite album for December. Specifically, the last track on the album Sons and Daughters is worthy of multiple spins during the day.

And if you weren’t aware, Stephen Colbert has accused the Decemberists of riding his coattails after the band issued a green-screen challenge, a homage to Colbert’s original green screen challenge.

The Decemberists retort? A guitar solo counter-challenge.

Pure genius on both parts.

Last night Court and I went to watch our friends play in Minneapolis. It’s the second time we’ve seen them own the stage at Lee’s Liqour Lounge. Every time I see them I am in awe of their raw talent. I’ve tried so hard over the years to figure out how to play music. I understand rhythm, I can read sheet music, and I know the fingerings, but I have always lacked something. Watching them play as if it were a simple extention of their being was simply amazing.

I picked up Neil Diamond’s new album 12 Songs a few days ago. I picked it up after hearing that Rick Rubin produced it. Rubin has the magic touch not only with rap stars but also aging musicians on the brink of extinction. Johnny Cash found a whole new audience with the American recordings with Rubin’s help. 12 Songs doesn’t go out on a limb as much as the Cash albums, but it’s pretty damn good. It’s Neil with an accoustic guitar and very simple backing music. Most songs are slow with a simple and small sound. Topics don’t stretech too far from love and women. The song Hell Yeah is a reflection on his career and past. He makes no apologies for enjoying his life. Delirious Love is very radio friendly and has a catchy beat. Although its Diamond’s first new music in 20-some years it still feels like him and his music. The album has the feeling of an older, wiser musician, much like Cash’s American albums.

Nerd Note: 12 Songs is one of the albums recalled by Sony over the whole XCP rootkit debacle. I was a little fearful to stick the disc into my computer. After doing a little research I discovered that users were presented with a message box prior to installation of XCP. Luckily mine had zero remenants of the botched DRM. I had no problems with the disc and my computer.

The Pixies were in town last night for a show at Roy Wilkins. It was a phenomenal show. They played every great song I knew by them and they played them well. Both Black Francis and Kim Deal sounded great, as if 14 years hadn’t passed. I’ve never seen anyone scream so effortlessly as did Frank Black. He made it look easy. For 2 hours they rocked us with all the favorites: Gouge Away, Is She Wierd, Hey, La La Love You, Nimrod’s Son, Caribou, Crackity Jones, Here Comes Your Man, Got Something Against You, Where is My Mind?…The list goes on and on.

I can now die a happy man after seeing the Pixies in concert. I remember picking up their album in the mid 90s thinking that I’d never be able to see them live. I’d be surprised if the Pixies don’t tour again. They put on a great live show.

Friday evening we ventured once again to see the wonderful and fabulous Deuces Wild show. The word had gotten out about how sweet these two guys are because the place was packed by 7:30, 2 hours before the show started. We had to watch them from the back of bar for the first half of the show. We were lucky to score some closer seats to enjoy the end of it. I don’t remember much, again, but I did manage to remember to bring my camera this time.

Mike announced that he has signed with ATO Records, Dave Matthews label. A Skittish/Rockity Roll double album release may be imminent by year’s end. w00t!

I would just like to say that I’m glad Ashlee Simpson was exposed for being the imposter that she is. That’s what she gets for concentrating on being famous instead of making good music.

Green Day gets the whole online music thing. They are selling pre-labeled CD-Rs with their album art so fans can download the songs from iTunes and burn to a disc, much like buying it in the stores .