The zeal with which most people wanted to label my recent bout with sickness as H1N1 said much to me about the power of media to make a relatively mundane event become infused with fear. The warnings seem quite out of proportion with the actual threat, which is no less threatening than previous strains. We still have some extremely ominous Avian Flu public service announcements in rotation at the station, which now sound like either last year’s model or backing the wrong horse.

Bobby King Smile

Kerouac’s Big Sur – Any project that sets out to put the printed word to music and lyrics just seems doomed for failure to me. Adapting prose to the cadence and structure of music is not an easy task, even with the combined talents of Benjamin Gibbard and Jay Farrar I expected the results to be forced and listless. While there are no big victories to be found here, the fact that there are even small ones garners a bit of my respect.

Robert Francis – Quite a novel way to get signed to a major label record contract … work your way into a high-profile touring contract first. Never thought that would work, but I guess if you have friends in high place then perhaps some leverage may be found while opening for Wilco. Still seems like the cart is coming before the horse here.

Mark Kozelek - When the clever fun-loving independent music mavens I seem to hang around with run with glee towards and television show my immediate reaction is to turn the other way. So many times I’ve been severely disappointed … The Office, Flight of the Conchords, Venture Brothers. Therefore I won’t watch this supposedly subversive children’s show. Though hearing them mewl to the press about how they’re getting a raw deal from Nick because they won’t give up ownership of the show is tantamount to complaining about your major label record deal because they didn’t put enough into promo.

Kings of Convenience – More and more I’m impressed in how these tweedy youngsters can continue to mine material from the AM oldies radio station catalog. This album sounds like a string of programming on WJIB, complete with simple harmonies and delicate construction. And I didn’t even mention Simon & Garfunkel.

Lisa Germano – Every new creative effort that springs forth from Ms. Germano garners immediate respect in my camp, though that rarely translates into a purchase. Perhaps we just need our distance, or perhaps there’s just not enough friendly there for me to make a commitment. I’m never quite sure where the listener stands in her worldview, most likely likely because I doubt she is concerned with such details.

Simone White – Her first records was a lovely smash-up of a simple guitar style and wispy voiced lyrics, this one retains the charms and adds a few more instruments for good measure. Along with some very nice smelling cardboard enveloping the disc. So far she’s 2 for 2.

The Swell Season - Difficult not to cheer for this charming couple during their Oscar run, and I expected more of the same beguiling balance on this new musical entity. Instead why does it sound like an unfocused Frames record with an occasional female vocalist? They never do quite recapture even a portion of their previous magic.

The Lower 48 – Closing it out with a quick and simple ditty. Not much to say other than cute girls with glasses get special dispensation in these mixes.