What is it about Ryan Adams? Whereas other musicians generally mature with each album, he seems hell bent on becoming more infantile. Luckily the good folks at Lost Highway are streaming his new album on his website - so you can make up you own mind about it without spending your hard earned cash. And what's with the record cover artwork - replace the Les Paul with a Telecaster and he could almost be Bruce; although it's hard to believe - at the time that record was made, Bruce was a good 3 years younger than Adams is now. Doesn't that put his talent into perspective?....

'Trouser Press' - the bible of alternative rock since 1983.

Check out the KCRW radio tribute to Elliott Smith.

Strange but great ideas on the web #100034 : The Expressive Photobooth.

Very sad news. One of my favourite songwriters, Elliott Smith, commited suicide yesterday. He was 34.

Trying to keep up with our friends in the North during these turbulent days in the peace process? Well then, get thee over to Slugger O'Toole - the foremost weblog on all things relating to the Northern Irish scene.

Proof of total IRA decommissioning?

Kevin Baker in the American Heritage writes about America's most overrated and underrated photographs. Also, check out the other overrated and underrated things here.

Interesting, somewhat disturbing photographs from Margi Geerlinks.

And we thought our judges were bad?

The latest findings from the 2002 Irish Census were published yesterday and are available online at the CSO's really excellent website. I note that the population of single females in Galway city is now at 22,283, whereas the population of single males is 20,259 - over 2000 less. Of course, only about 29% of this 2000 are of eligible age - still, one cannot deny that the odds are stacked in my favour....

Super 8 stories of Northern Ireland. It sounds like a great idea for a TV program and I'm sure it'll be fascinating when it's broadcast

I had a weird dream last night that I was at an Iggy and the Stooges reunion concert. As you would expect, Iggy was a shirtless dervish on stage - all strut and swagger and sweat. I was disappointed they didn't play anything from the first two Stooges albums - in fact , I didn't recognise any of the songs apart from something off metallic KO - which is particularly strange considering I have never heard the album. I put the unfamiliar set-list down to the fact that the band included James Williamson on guitar - basically it was the Raw Power line up (which I do own - but again no Raw Power song were played). At the end of the gig Williamson attempted to prove his proto-punk credentials by throwing a bottle into the audience - it landed at my feet but it didn't break on account of it being an empty plastic water bottle. What does it all mean I wonder?

Can you train a dog to be a fascist? Some Germans seem to think you can.

The Rugby World Cup is kicking off in Australia this weekend. For those who don't know one end of a ruck from a maul here's Aussie newspaper The Age's bluffer's guide to Rugby.

Do you enjoy making stuff? Well then,www.makestuff.com is the site for you!

Here's a chance to win a free house. To qualify you need a fiancé though... Auditions in Galway tonight.

Photojournalism and the American Presidency - here's an excellent video discussing some historic still photos.

Freestone is on form these days. Go visit.

I saw the great Nick Cave play Vicar Street on Saturday night. The full contingent of Bad Seeds didn't make it so the tone of the gig was dominated by the moody piano ballads that Cave has been turning out by the dozen for the last few years. Nick, sporting a new slimmed down streamline haircut (male pattern balding perhaps?), stayed behind the grand piano for the duration of the set while Warren Ellis danced like a dervish and turned out sounds from a fiddle rarely heard this side of a Les Paul. Highlights were the stunning version of 'God is in the House' and ' The Singer' - in tribute to Johnny Cash. A rendition of Fred Neil's 'Dolphins' was unexpected but the crowd were kept happy by favourites 'Into your Arms' and 'The Mercy Seat' (an ultra laid back version at that). A satisfactory gig, although I was disappointed that he didn't roll out 'Babe I'm on fire' - a song that surely was written to be played live as a concert encore.

This chap Phil is having a 35th bithday party - and to celebrate in style, he's inviting 35 celebrities along too.

www.pheed.com. Syndicated Photography Feeds - via RSS. It's still in its early stages but it sounds like a great idea.