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Random thoughts on the music world

First of all, congratulations to U2 for winning the Grammy Awards' Album of the Year and Rock Album awards for "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." U2's song "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" was named Song of the Year, while "City of Blinding Lights" was named best Rock Song.

Actually, my favorite song from that particular album was "Yahweh." It's not a song that will win awards, but it has a message that reached me.

I've always been a fan of rock music that makes you think, as opposed to rock that makes you want to live out your adolescent fantasies. That's why it was good to see U2 drop a bomb on the competition this year.

I was reminded of U2's superiority on Super Bowl Sunday when I saw the Rolling Stones' less-than-stellar effort at the halftime show. In 2002, during the halftime of the St. Louis Rams-New England Patriots Super Bowl. U2 put on a soid performance filled with symbolism honoring the victims of 9/11. While I admire Mick Jagger's ability to prance around a stage in his 60s, the quality of the Stones' sound didn't come anywhere close to matching U2.

While I'm on the topic of music that makes you think, read this article about Belleville native Jay Farrar: "Jay Farrar rebuilds a no-frills Son Volt." Farrar was part of the alt-country band Uncle Tupelo and is back on the scene with Son Volt's latest album, "Okemah and the Melody of Riot."

I have a lot of respect for the Farrar family. Jay's older brother, John, makes a living in a difficult genre to make a living -- jazz. Their late father, Pops Farrar, raised them right in the ways of music.

Roger 0 comments 12:19 AM