Smashed up mess

I love this time of year. In addition to the warm weather and live music circuit, it's always a good time for new music. Some of the best CDs are released in the summer months.

This year, I have two anticipated releases from The White Stripes and The Smashing Pumpkins.

I loved the White Stripes last album, "Get Behind Me Satan." It had some serious style to it. A lot of blue grass roots with a rock-god twist. Jack and Meg White can always be counted on to throw in some unusual guitar riffs or instruments into the mix to make the music that much more in-depth.

Unfortunately I HATE their new song, "Icky Thump." I mean, I hate it. I change the station everytime it comes on. They try to use this guitar screeching thing that makes me want to strangle something. I think they're trying to imitate a lick that was perfected by Rage Against the Machine but they are missing the mark.

Thankfully, the new song "Tarantula" by the Smashing Pumpkins was exactly what I needed to curtail my disappointment. It's a hard tune with a creamy-mellow center, just how I like it. I don't know many Smashing Pumpkins fans beside myself. I had a friend who claimed to like them, but he really only liked the song, "1979." That doesn't really count.

I mixed a CD a few weeks ago lovingly titled "My Punk-Ass Bitch" that is a mix of current and classic punk. I downloaded the new Pumpkins as the perfect anthematic ending to a riotous rollercoaster that includes everything from Cake and Spacehog to The Clash and Guster.

In the words of my friend Lauren, it's the best CD mix EVER!