Let's talk about music, kids.

I've been listening to this band Ex Norwegian a hell of a lot. Miami isn't exactly known for its burgeoning indie rock scene, but I'm very impressed by them (though I suppose technically they're from Miami Beach). We may be playing with them in Miami next month, and they're heading out on their own tour in March. Check them out at www.exnorwegian.com, and pre-order their album Standby. A+

After careful consideration, I have to vote in the "No" column for the new U2 single Get On Your Boots. I was listening to WBCN last night, and the DJ said the new U2 song has caused a spike in requests for old U2 (make of that what you will). If you haven't heard it yet, you can take a listen here: goyb.u2.com. It's certainly different enough from the last few records they've put out, which I can appreciate, but it sounds more like a bad U2 b-side than an album track, let alone a single. Lyrics are pretty lazy, too. Let's hope for their sake this was just an oversight and the rest of the album won't suck come March. C-

But if you think that's bad...

I've made no secret that despite it being the decade of my birth, I hate the 80s. I know it's a hell of a blanket statement to make, because it's not 100% true, but the whole romanticized version of the 80s people cling to drives me nuts. Synths generally make me gag. VH1 I Love The 80s (etc) makes fire shoot from my eye sockets. Thank goodness bands like The Clash and U2 (before they started ripping off The Escape Club) were around then. Bands that want to bring the 80s back sadden and confuse me.

I bring this up because Keane, whose first record I enjoyed and second record I ignored, but assume it's good, has gone so far into the Land of the Flock of Seagulls that it'd make the Killers blush. It's not even just the music. Even their logo is... ugh... What's next, pastels and blazers with enormous shoulder pads?

I mean, seriously, look at this: http://www.myspace.com/keane

Does it not look like 1984 just vomit all over their MySpace page? Take a listen to Spiraling, if you dare. F-

Ah well... Here's "Something Unreal" by Ex Norwegian.

Henry