What is it about so many young and bearded bands of the last several years with their fascination for all things pop and pretty?

There is an entire sub-stream of music inhabited by writer producer singer songwriter performers that stick a bunch of people on stage singing the sounds of the bastard but sweet child that Brian Wilson/BeachBoys and David Byrne/TalkingHeads might pop out. Of course, Arcade Fire is the poster child of all, but i keep hearing many many more, like The Lovely Feathers out of Toronto.

I suspect the influence of female members (or girlfriends) who come from a classically trained environment has something to do with it all. It’s a good thing.

Flashpoint has become a hit in North America, viewed by 12M+ per week. Not bad!

The Chicago Tribune is all over the music from the show. CLICK HERE TO READ THE PIECE.

Everyone has earbuds these days, but sometimes you'd like something a little more. At Arpix there sound coming from three different places at a time on a busy day so we've had to shop for headphones of late. I had some Sennheisers that i loved for over 25 years and that just tells you what a quality product is worth, but they finally bit it...

Cut to the search...and Chris fell for some other brand that I though were just ok, but he and Andrea said they dug. Ok, but I think I've since found the best value out there; the Koss HR-40 cups. Beyond the great sound - first in the requirements bag - is their incedibly light weight on the head. That's what I loved about my Senn's most, and I have that again.

Next is the price. Less than $50 at Radio Shack. Ouch!!! You can't afford to not have a pair of these.