My problem is the disconnect between his cheery-cheery banter, whooping it up, and the melancholy nature of his songs. Does not compute.

Here is a very recent Rolling Stone interview, too, for those who are interested.
Supertramp's Roger Hodgson Starts First U.S. Band Tour in 30 Years

I was born and bred in Norfolk (I know!).

As a wet behind the ears 18 year old I ventured off to Uni in Bradford and then got my first job in Leeds.

Now, I have always understood the word "while" to be used in the following way as an example "please do not cross the railway line while the lights are red".

In Leeds its accepted usage was as a replacement for "until" by many people I worked with e.g. "today I will be working 9 while 5".

I have always wondered why the death rate at level crossings in Leeds is so low!

I was just reading the thread on musical tastes from a few days ago and read the post that stated Gillian Welch pronounces her name with a hard G.

One respondent found this annoying. I share that sentiment but don't know why.

I used to work with someone who was called Karen but pronounced it as "car-en".

That was also annoying.

It is a stupid prejudice to have I know but I wondered if others here share it.

Blame the parents I guess!

I have just completed a week of study back in University having not been there for over 15 years.

I am studying health economics.

I have been working in business and the commercial world for over 25 years.

The worldly view of the academics was great but from a different world to me.

The Waterboys for me.

The Stone Roses reformation and resurrection has clearly excited some on this site.

Who would you like to tour again/reform and pay to see.

They have to be alive!

If we assume rock and pop will continue to reinvent itself for a new generation of listeners every 10-15 years or so it could become a bit like a geological structure of generational layers.

How would these be defined?

Pre 1955 - Listen to your parents...and their tunes.

1955-1962 Rock around the clock. Is this it?

1962 The Beatles arrive

and the further layers are...

I think their first three albums were top drawer power pop classics.

This was my favourite

I accept describing smells verbally is quite pointless but have a go.

My favourite band are still The Waterboys.

Their perfume is likely to be

Name: The Pan Within
Smell: A mixture of goat based mythical characters and chips

No groupies there then!

I am clearly writing this and enjoying the Word blog.

My 1 year old son has just gone to sleep.

My 2.5 year old daughter is watching Timmy Time on my Mac Book.

The FPO is watching that dance programme on BBC1.

We are all happy!

Having posted on a few threads over the last few days a theme seemed to emerge about albums that really divided an otherwise dedicated fan base for a band.

Examples seem to include:

Second Coming - Stone Roses

The Final Cut - Pink Floyd

Tin Machine - Bowie

I own and really like all of those.

Any more that divide otherwise devoted fans?

Normal life resumes the next morning.

This was my Heavy Metal/Rock introduction in 1979

My favourite band as a teenager.

Christmas 1979 TOTP, I was 14, they played this.

Happy days

WARNING - Contains Peter Powell.

If you are happy to download tracks rather than own the hard copy then get along to mflow.com

They are still running an offer whereby for 24 hours you can download tracks for 20p each e.g. Wish You Were Here will cost you £1! Not all artists are available though.

You need to set up an account and then post credit via a credit card.

Use the code BIRD20P which changes the price of all tracks to 20p for a day and fill your boots.

I got the new Waterboys album for £2.80 today.

If you want to be naughty just set up further accounts via a different email address to repeat the process.

I have £20 to spend on a CD or two so what would you recommend?