Though I've heard Richard Thompson's name mentioned for many years, I never sought out his music on my own -- probably because he was always mentioned in the same breath as Jimi Hendrix, whose music I dislike. But during law school, my good friend Chris Griffin taped SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS for me and took me to see Richard when he played in Salt Lake City in 1997. I was blown away.

Many people point to Richard Thompson as one of the best guitarists in the world. I don't know what that means, exactly. I've read that (like Hendrix) he can play solo and rhythm guitar at the same time, but I don't really understand the significance. I just know that he sounds great. This song, in particular, was what really turned me on to his music. (Dick Gaughan also covered it on his 1996 album SAIL ON.)

Click here to learn the significance of the pickle...er...motorcycle.

Reasons why I love Sleater-Kinney and their new album, "The Hot Rock":

1. Sleater-Kinney is an all-female punk trio.
2. Great band name; taken from the name of a street in Olympia, WA.
3. Sleater-Kinney originated in Portland, OR (my adopted hometown).
4. Shunned big major labels, started their own (Kill Rock Stars).
5. No bass player! (a la The Spinanes, another Portland band).
6. "The Hot Rock" is more mellow than their previous albums. (believe me, that's a good thing!)
7. The album cover features the gals hailing a cab in downtown Portland.
8. $9.99 list price (in the age of the $17.99 cd)
9. Their sound is similiar to early Throwing Muses. [1]

[1] In an interview with Kristin Hersh (leader of now defunct Throwing Muses) conducted last week in the UK, Kristin said this of Sleater-Kinney: "I think they sound like the Muses before we made records...and that's good! They're not imitating us...that's not possible."