and another one...

I'm a HUGE fan of music. Always have been. I love everything from Indigo Girls, to Alice in Chains, to Alison Krauss, to Jack Johnson, to Talib Kweli. My CD collection is vast and now is my iTunes library. (iTunes is so my Kryptonite.)

My top five albums (in no particular order) I've bought this year:

1-- "The Duhks," by, well, the Duhks. A Canadian group, but I can forgive them. I kid, I kid! Anyway, they're like Nickel Creek (see No. 5), but with more soul. If you like 'em try their earlier albums, "Sons & Daughters." Both are excellent.

2-- "Twenty Three," Tristan Prettyman. Like I said in the previous entry, she's Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. A great singer-songwriter.

3-- "Let's Get Lifted," John Legend. Old-school soul and today's R&B. Smooth. Very smooth.

4-- "Almost Honest," Josh Kelley. He's just so awesome. Laid-back and happy music with gospel and blues influences. I bought it weeks ago and I haven't been able to stop listening. And if you haven't seen him live, go. Go now.

5-- "Why Should the Fire Die?," Nickel Creek. Are they bluegrass? Newgrass? Acoustic pop? Who knows? Who cares? They're amazing on CD, on iTunes and especially in concert.