A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:

Coldplay, Xcel Energy Center. Chris Martin brought confetti, lasers, massive energy and a fantastic set list to provide a crazy feel-good time. And who could've predicted the band coming into the crowd to sing?

David Cook, "The Time of My Life." This ballad is cheesy, but nobody ever said cheesy was bad. It's a softie, addicting song that shows a different side of the "American Idol" rocker.

Kanye West, "808s and Heartbreak." Hearing this CD on MySpace a week before the CD came out, I'm very excited to own it. Going to a retro non-rap sound is a great move for Kanye.

MATT SCHAAK, EDINA

TO CONTRIBUTE: POPMUSIC@STARTRIBUNE.COM

Shelby Lynne, the O'Shaughnessy. She has mastered the art of being sad and sultry at the same time, seasoned by John Jackson's pained guitar. Plus she showed the sexiest stage legs since Dwight Yoakam's.

Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley, "A Change Is Gonna Come." At the Dap Kings show at the Pantages, he fell to his knees singing, joining the kneeling Jones for the chorus on the same mic. His guttural growl and piercing scream perfectly complemented her raw, emotional voice. Good Gawd!

"Bridging the Gap," Nas featuring Olu Dara. The finale on the "Cadillac Records" soundtrack, this starts with Dara doing the talkin' blues about his life and son, Nas, over a riff from "Hootchie Coochie Man." Then Nas takes over, rapping his life story about how hip-hop is his blues, over Muddy Waters' harmonica vamps. A cool familial collaboration.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE