Agree on BTMI!. I haven't gotten the new Fake Problems yet, but I'm really looking forward to it based on what I heard on a Soundscene Revolution podcast.

Lucero & the Thermals
I agree wholeheartedly with their inclusion.

Justin Townes Earle is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Both of his albums are great front to back in my opinion, and I love the cover of "Can't Hardly Wait."

Lucero started off on the drunken country end of the alt spectrum and have steadily progressed to their current sound. I love it myself, but I know other Lucero fans that were more enthralled by the old sound. If you want more alt-sounding, go with That Much Further West or Tennessee.

I don't much care for GB either. I don't dislike it, but it just doesn't do much for me. It's the kind of music I expect to hear in the background in a coffee shop - pretty, inoffensive and ultimately forgettable.

Black Bush is my Irish of choice. I also brought back a bottle of their 12-year single malt reserve I bought after the distillery tour and gave it to my father as a Xmas present. He still hasn't cracked it yet, but I tried a sample at the tasting room after the tour and it was exceptional. I also tried their 400th…

I love a rye Manhattan, perfect. There used to be a supper club in Monticello, WI that I'd occasionally go to with my parents. The bartender there made the absolute best Manhattans, and I haven't had one since the place closed.

I recall a family vacation to either the Dakotas or Colorado where, upon finishing the flask brought from home, my mother stopped at a local liquor store to resupply. After searching for a few minutes she asked the clerk where the brandy was kept. The clerk responded, "You're from Wisconsin, aren't you?" and…

I'm not a fan of most things Leine's, but I liked the Classic Amber and the 1888 Bock. I've got a friend that loves the Original so I'll a few of those whenever I'm over at his house, but it doesn't sit too well and I'm usually guaranteed to have a headache the next morning.

I don't mind JW Red because it was really the first I ever tried and I've got a nostalgic appreciation of it. Dewar's isn't great but will do if I'm getting scotch & waters to sip on at a wedding or something like that. I personally prefer J&B for this purpose if they've got it, which seems to be a 50/50 proposition.

Exactly Solipsist, that's why I drink Suntory. That's Shinto whiskey. Maybe…

Here in Wisconsin Spotted Cow, or anything New Glarus for that matter, is the epitome of quality and has pretty much ruined other cheap beers for me. Two exceptions: Schlitz Gusto and Grain Belt Premium.

I also was listening to Fresh Air last night. I really can't imagine flying 100K miles in a year, which is what Reitman said he did last year.

I seriously need to revisit "Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes" and "Potemkin City Limits" given how much I like "Supporting Caste." I think my distaste for the band was more to due with the number of asshole Propagandhi fans I know as opposed to the music itself.

Canadian music definitely has had a good decade. The last three Constantines albums would rank pretty high on my list, and I'm with you on the Dears and Great Lakes Swimmers. I saw Wintersleep open for the Tragically Hip at a show in Madison a couple years back, and bought "Untitled" on the strength of their live…

Music is a necessity
I have an incredibly hard time concentrating unless I've got something playing in the background, and I'm fortunate enough to have my own space where I don't need to worry about pissing off any coworkers. Whereas I listen to just about any type of musical genre, there are a few that I gravitate…

Yeah, the Gaslight Anthem would be pretty high up on my list too. "The '59 Sound" was my favorite album last year without question and I still am getting a lot out those songs.

I'm definitely with you on the Felice Brothers s/t - it took a while to really become a favorite but it just gets better every spin. I'm still letting "Yonder is the Clock" settle in, but I expect similar results. Killer live show too.

"Tyranny of Distance" would probably be my pick for best album, but my favorite TL/RX songs are on "Shake the Sheets."

I absolutely love "Oh, Susquehanna," and my introduction to the band Defiance, Ohio actually came from a business trip that I took to the city of Defiance, Ohio. I was searching for a hotel or something, and all of sudden "Hey, free album!" "The List" off of their latest is close to my favorite song from last year.