There is not much to say about Dark Side of the Moon that has not already been said. Yes, it's a masterpiece, and it's probably The Pink Floyd's best work (and it has some STIFF competition). The beautiful "Speak to Me/Breathe" opens the album up and is reprised later. The albums centerpiece is the trio "Time", "The Great Gig in the Sky" (with, hands down, the best vocals of any song in history provided by Clare Tory), and "Money". The former and the latter feature David Gilmour with some memorable guitar solos, and Roger Water's lyrics are as poignant as they would ever be. The album never slows down after that point - "Us and Them" is smooth and magestic; it is contrasted to outstanding effect by its companion instrumental jam, "Any Colour You'd Like", a definite high point of the entire work. Dark Side of the Moon climaxes with "Brain Damage" and its segue into the euphoric "Eclipse". Listening to this album straight through should give anyone chills, no matter how many times you may have heard it on the radio or on record.

There is not much to say about Dark Side of the Moon that has not already been said. Yes, it\'s a masterpiece, and it\'s probably The Pink Floyd\'s best work (and it has some STIFF competition). The beautiful \"Speak to Me/Breathe\" opens the album up and is reprised later. The albums centerpiece is the trio \"Time\", \"The Great Gig in the Sky\" (with, hands down, the best vocals of any song in history provided by Clare Tory), and \"Money\". The former and the latter feature David Gilmour with some memorable guitar solos, and Roger Water\'s lyrics are as poignant as they would ever be. The album never slows down after that point - \"Us and Them\" is smooth and magestic; it is contrasted to outstanding effect by its companion instrumental jam, \"Any Colour You\'d Like\", a definite high point of the entire work. Dark Side of the Moon climaxes with \"Brain Damage\" and its segue into the euphoric \"Eclipse\". Listening to this album straight through should give anyone chills, no matter how many times you may have heard it on the radio or on record.

In the musical atmosphere of the naughties, a band as unabashedly pop as The Shins is a breath of fresh air. On their debut "Oh, Inverted World", the mix is light on guitar and heavy on keyboards and vocals. Any electric guitar that is present is merely icing on the cake - the batter composed of acoustic, bass, keyboards, and drums. "Caring Is Creepy" starts the album off on a high that never quite lets up (except for the strange "Weird Divide" and "Your Algebra"). I recommend "Oh, Inverted World" to just about anyone interested in popular music, or those who are missing some lighthearted fare in the currently angst-ridden music scene.

The Mars Volta are a classicist progressive rock band. If you don't know what that is, stay far away from them. Their songs stretch on for well over the ten minute mark in many cases, which will deter any mainstream audience. On their sophomore album, Frances The Mute, in particular, a lack of focus may frustrate fans and music afficianados as well. Save the fantastic spanish-flavored "The Widow" and "L'Via L'Viaquez" (which is overlong even in its greatness) the tracks here are just too messy to constitute a song. The album is a worthwhile listen, however, because the playing is technically astounding and the music is infused with a strange passion. If The Mars Volta could focus this energy into further crafting their songs and blunting their ego, they would be an act to be reckoned with.

Billy Corgan's solo debut, TheFutureEmbrace, is a difficult listen and will not please the casual listener. The only guitar sounds present are heavily processed, even more so than on the Pumpkins' infamous "Machina: THE MACHINES OF GOD". Electronic drums, strange digital samples, and Corgan's trademark voice are a constant throughout TheFutureEmbrace. Even fans will have a difficult time getting into the album, but it definitely grows on you. The opener "All Things Change", "Mina Loy (M.O.H.)", and the ethereal "Sorrows (In Blue)" redeem the strange sound in part. In the end, only hardcore followers of Billy Corgan's work will appreciate TheFutureEmbrace.