Dearest readers, I understand that things have been quiet on my end of the discussion for a little while now. I've been adapting to a new day job for a couple months, and the increased demands have made it difficult to find time to listen to new music, not to mention write about it or even play my own instruments.

The good news is that there is another episode of the Any Given Tuesday podcast coming your way tomorrow morning featuring Baltimore's own Squaaks. The band is playing at this Saturday's SEN Baltimore Comcast Music Showcase at the Creative Alliance along with Teporah, JV Myka Project, Impossible Hair, and Gary B & The Notions.

In the meantime, an interesting story points out that popular music is taking the place of standard hymns at funerals and viewings. Songs like "My Way" by Sinatra and Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" take the place of "Amazing Grace" and "Abide With Me". Do-gooders enter the eternal slumber with Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" while ne'er-do-wells ride into the blaze with AC/DC's "Highway To Hell". While other songs are mentioned, including Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" and "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Bon Jovi, this writer is left to ponder what will play at his own goodbye party.

The running list:

"Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox" - Joe Duffie

"I Don't Know Where I'm Bound" - Johnny Cash

"Oceans" - Pearl Jam

"Good Morning, Captain" - Slint

"Holy Diver" - Dio (not exactly apropos, but come on, this song rocks)

"Aneurysm" - Nirvana (may be fitting, depending on manner of death)

"Oh My Lover" - PJ Harvey

What other suggestions do people have?