LOTW: far and away, the new Katatonia -- a continuation of their already successful formula of dark hard rock, though I still think I like Last Fair Deal Gone Down better, but I think this might be second after that (yes, even more than Tonight's Decision). Fidelity is a lot better than the new Amorphis disk, too.

New Prince -- melikes.

Wakeman, Cost of Living -- an under-rated masterpiece, one of his best solo albums -- not the grandiosity of Myths and Legends... or Journey..., but just a bunch of pop/rock songs. The thing that gets me is the range, and the sense of humour. Songs like "Monkey Nuts" and "Bedtime Stories" are just silly, but he has the kahunas to contrast that against a short ditty ("Twij"), a rockin' instrumental ("Shakespeare Run"), a vocal rocker or two ("Pandamonia", "One for the Road", "Happening Man") a beautifully lyrical introspective instrumental ("Gone but Not Forgotten"), and the finale, an extended spoken word piece against a very nice bed of cinematic music ("Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"). Superb beyond words.

Lots of classical music -- Byron Jamis, Hélène Grimaud, et al. Hélène Grimaud, in particular, is blowing me away with her ability to capture the essence of tracks. Quickly becoming my pianist of choice (Chopin, Rachmaninoff), and introducing me to some music that I would not have otherwise listened to in the process (Brahms, Schumann, etc.).