04/21/04 WED:
---Good to see a new Consumer Guide - by Robert Christgau (We Got A Lot: Kvelling over damn near a dozen meanings of life, their average length close to an hour), although it does mean another hit to the pocket book, as well as that I now get to buy Courtney Love’s new CD.

---Disc Log:
- HEADS UP Collections I-V (5CD) - compilations from a label I had nothing from until a the latest Ladysmith CD, which contained an offer to get these five sampler CDs as well as a CD-ROM for $20. The sound seems to be of audiophile quality, like they really care, but it seems to be mostly light jazz, which is okay as a background--too many of the discs I have been playing lately seem to demand conscious listening anywy--but nothing here gives me a hankering for more; but then I am not in the market for finding much in the way of new things anyway, having a surfeit of what I already have. Even so, this stuff can be mighty insipid and a trial to put in the time to get through. Lots of facility and accomplishment in the playing, but precious little that breaks through to inspiredness, at least to my ears. Some doddering old fool might nod their head in appreciation, in tempo to the music, but myself I find it extremely enervating. The occasional spaces of light soul music offer occasional respite, but “I don’t have the answers but one thing is for sure: love is the cure” is fine sentiment but hardly worth expressing in song or otherwhere (agaiin). It is hard to think where Ladysmith fits into their stable of artists, listening to the first three discs. They would be fine for a euthanasia clinic.