Two thoughts on this. One: awesome! Two: Britons still listen to an awful lot of crap music.

Also, Derek, you recently lamented the fact that Merriwether Post Pavillion is hitting number 1 on many a critic's yearly roundup. I'm just as stumped by the ubiquitous praise for The XX, who can best be described as Stars, without guitars and seemingly, energy. Not a bad disc, and there are a few decent tracks, but despite repeated listens, it barely registers for me. Know this one charts highly on emusic so I'm wondering if any of you have listened to it and what your thoughts, impressions are?

09 list to follow shortly.