Giraldo
Tremendous stand up and the best roaster ever. His two albums are terrific. Glad to hear the working comedians were giving him props and feeling his loss. He will be missed.

recent death metal
Within the last month+, two other death metal albums worth multiple spins IMO have come out:

Mondo Bizzarro…
…is the last halfway decent Ramones album, way better IMO than Brain Drain. I haven't listened to either of them seriously since I turned 22, but to my 18-yo Ramones-obsessed self, that was the clear pecking order.

It is a sad compendium of singing drummers that gives no mention to Night Ranger's Kelly Keagy. *shakes head*

Hate to hear this
Saw him live in Columbus, OH two Sundays ago and it was the funniest standup I think I've ever heard. Met him after the show and he was very pleasant and humble but, shall we say, noticeably medicated. Really hope he pulls through this.

The opening to that Cephalic song made me grin from ear to ear. Just love them.

There are thousands and thousands of uses for corn, all of which I'm going to tell you about RIGHT NOW!

Capital idea. I would be first in line to preorder my copy of "Rock Band: Weird Al." How could it not automatically be the greatest game in the series? Just the thought of being able to transition from "Jerry Springer" to "Dare to be Stupid" to "Mr. Popeil" to "Genius in France" makes me tremendously happy.

I second (or third, or whatever) the idea of Katee Sackhoff showing up as Harley Quinn. Intense, beautiful, and can modulate from girl next door flirty to batshit crazy easily as needed.

No mention of the new Misery Index?
Love your work and this column, Pierce, but seriously. It's easily my album of the year so far.