Anyone with a closed-mainstream-mind approach to music these days would be forgiven for thinking that modern stuff is all the same. What it is also proving is that the UK Charts are about as meaningful as the Press's sympathy to Jade Goody.
With the exception of Lady GaGa and Lily Allen, the most recent #1 Singles are an indication of the soul-less processed pop formula that is plaguing the charts, culminating in the positively vile Flo-Rida effort, 'Right Round' topping the pile last week.
Great albums have come in thick and fast this year from Franz Ferdinand, GaGa, Empire of the Sun, Morrissey and Anthony and the Johnsons. Yet its the turkeys like U2, Bruce Springsteen, Lily Allen (in terms of album as a whole) and The Prodigy which sit atop the Album Charts.
There's more good stuff to come too from the likes of Royksopp, Goldie Lookin Chain and even Lionel Richie which are certain not to make a dent in the mainstream listings.
In an age where anyone can access professional reviews, preview tracks and even try-before-you-buy illegal downloads it says more about the ingenuity of the music buyer that such mediocre efforts are still representing these dated institutions.
Oh and as for Trent Reznor's recent Twitter spat with Chris Cornell - even Jesus wouldn't have blessed that album.
Ever used the play counter on your iPod? The real truth about what people listen to and what they flick through - try it, it's quite revealing:
Chriso's iPod- Most played (Track, Artist, Play Count)
01. For Reasons Unknown, The Killers- 42
02. Scarface (Push it to the Limit), Paul Engemann- 28
03. Better the Devil You Know, Kylie Minogue- 27
04. All the Pretty Faces, The Killers- 26
= It's Not Over Yet, Klaxons- 26
06. Baddie's Boogie, Babyshambles- 25
= Read My Mind, The Killers- 25
= Heart, Pet Shop Boys- 25
= On Top, The Killers- 25
10. Frailty's Rainbow, Klaxons- 24
= Promiscuous, Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland- 24
= The Way I Are, Timbaland- 24
= Blue, Verve- 24
= Banquet, Bloc Party- 24
And at the other end of the scale:
01. I'm Not in Love, 10CC (all 1)
= Teardrops, Womack & Womack
= All Hope is Gone, Slipknot
= Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers
= Here Comes the Man, Parlotones
= Two Hearts, Phil Collins
= Flatbeat, Mr Oizo
= Dark Skies, The Electric City
= Breakfast at Tiffany's, Deep Blue Something
= Cha-Cha Slide- DJ Casper
So last week I was reading about Nine Inch Nails' new one - not half as good as the previous two I'm afraid -'The Slip' and Trent's being interviewed by The Sun's 'Something for the Weekend'. They ask him something along the lines of 'What do you think of music these days?' and he starts slating Wolfmother, saying all they do is play covers... six days later, they split up. Coincidence? I think I'd jack it all in as a band if Trent Reznor didn't like me too!
Oh and as for Richard Ashcroft planning to go solo again? Some egos never change!