Strange request, but I feel like I can trust the Massive's judgement on most matters, so what are the recommendations for staying and eating in Exeter? Taking my daughter down there this weekend to check out the university and the all-important nightlife.

Was faintly amused by this genuine blurb for a forthcoming J Tillman gig:

"The Fleet Foxes drummer returns for a solo show - his sound features mournful vocals, backed by sparse and doleful acoustic guitar with occasionally understated piano, bells and violins."

Much as I like the FFs, the aforesaid J Tillman lost the crowd about 15 minutes into his supporting set last October(?), and seemed underchuffed at their, our, growing impatience.

Could this start a trend for honest gig / album ads?

"Neil Young plays live - 50-50 chance of finding him either indulgent and wilful, or brilliant".

"New Rolling Stones album - not the return to form they'd have you believe".

Perhaps it's the ageing process but I just find it harder to digest new music these days. I used to devour albums - after a few plays I'd know the strong and weak tracks, would be able to anticipate the next track as the previous one finished.

For example - I bought 22 Demos last year and try as I might I couldn't get my arms around it, so to speak. Had the whole darned thing on repeat at work and still some of tracks sounded unfamiliar to me the next day. Then I hear one of the tracks on the radio and realise it's vaguely familiar.

Any tips? Maybe headphones, in a darkened room, reading the sleeve notes or lyrics track by track as if I had all the time in the world. Or perhaps delaying the gratification by a long process of seduction - candles, warm bath, that kind of thing - followed by the actual consummation of the relationship by playing the CD.

Maybe not, but I am still reeling from a recent encounter with 'Diddy' David Hamilton as he opened our village fete last weekend. DJ's were stars in their own right and all seem to have honed their craft on the pirate stations - and at some point, being into the music not just the career.

What I can't forgive though is judging our chocolate Labrador Meg to be only the 5th prettiest bitch in Upper Beeding.

Any other venerable DJ's doing the rounds?

Fair enough?

I'll start:

The

I cite Songs In The Key Of Life - it's when the wider populace 'got' Stevie, but there are better earlier albums.

Just back from a quiz night fundraiser thingy, and kicking myself for not being able to remember Patsy Cline's name. Would have made the difference between 2nd and 1st place.....

Another one I can never remember without Googling is Diana Krall (have to approach it via the Elvis Costello, and for some reason Narrow Daylight route).

Anyone one else fail to remember certain artistes?

Of course, this thread may well result in a flurry of 'wotshisnames' etc but that is of course understood.

Got an Amazon voucher out of the blue today (and it's a big'un) - an opportunity to get all those books that I've been storing up in my mental list for months. But can I remember them?

So - help me out massive!

To help you triangulate my tastes, this is what I have enjoyed:

Julian Cope's autobiogs
most of the Beach Boys-related stuff
the main Beatles stuff, esp Revolution In The Head and Anthology
some Bob Dylan stuff but I'm not a huge fan
Maconie's Cider With Roadies
I *loved* Lost In Music
Some of Garrison Keillor's stuff (esp. Leaving Home)
Sebastian Faulkes

Doesn't have to be music-related - could be about society/culture (e.g. Gladwell et al), language, technology, fiction - whatever. Just need something fresh...

Nothing to do with music, but I saw a thought provoking news item at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7795854.stm about Charles Darwin's wife's cookbook.

I couldn't help but wonder what was in it..., Primordial Soup maybe?

There must be more...

It may be only me but that new B&Q campaign where the actors are asked to come over like regular B&Q staff before and after their bit in the ad (and, oh, the cameras are still rolling, getting all those off-camera comments) drives me potty.

That, and cutting out swathes of a song to make it fit the time limitations of the advert - viz. You've Got A Friend a couple of years back for the AA ads.

There must be more...

So what's it going to mean to the mag, the CDs, the podcast, the site, the headcount...? Nothing adverse I hope, and of course it may be none of my business, but I do feel a certain emotional investment in it after all these years...

And besides, that, how are the Massive changing their consumer habits, if at all? Downloading instead of buying CDs? I'm sure Dev Hell would like to know.

Not the best song, or even the best performance, but the one whose very sound jumps out of the speakers and grabs your attention.

I may be shallow, but production and arragement can make or break a record for me, so how about these for starters:

December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Who Loves You? Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood - Summer Wine (just heard it on the radio)

Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder

Over to The Word massive...

She writes the most original songs in two languages, she can out-sing Mariah hilariously if she chooses, she can out-dance Kylie, she's weirder than Bjork and more natural than the lot of them. OK, I'm a fortysomething man and she's a 30-year old women possessed of a fine voice and an uncommon beauty, but let's get over that, she is a fine artiste.

But when you see her live - dancers, vocalists, beat-boxers - it all makes sense in a show that is funny, exciting, moving and exudes sheer joy like nothing I've seen for years - makes guitar-based rock bands look cynical and outdated.

Don't be put off by the 'French Bjork' comparisons. Or even the records for that matter, the early ones of which can take a little getting into, but they make a lot more sense when you see her live.

Fact is, no other act has seemed fresher or had me more optimistic about music for years.

Can I get a witness? Or if not, what, musically speaking, has got you genuinely excited of late?

I was going to keep a friend company - you know how it is, you repay someone for going to a particularly fringey gig with you - but he's had to go off on a business trip and I find myself in posession of tickets.

You see, I spent large portions of my teenage years (and since) distancing myself from anything 'prog' but now I'm faced with an evening of the stuff. However, I do enjoy a bit of DJ Shadow, and he has sampled the Tangs (there you go) I understand, so maybe all is not lost.

Anyone care to advise how should I approach it?