The State of Rock: 40 Reasons To Get Excited About Music screams the cover of the current Rolling Stone. Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion but many of these Rolling Stone opinions seem possibly influenced by a desire to curry favor with certain artists and record labels – or to sell magazines. We all have an opinion. So let's sound off on whether we should get excited about RS' recommendations. 1. Black Eyed Peas and the Science of Global Pop Domination. Maybe. Ranking them No. 1 was merely an excuse to put the Peas on the cover (with a photo taken in Minneapolis, at Orbit Studios, by Mark Seliger). 2. Rock Festivals Rule. Yes! 3. Hip-Hop Arena Show Has Arrived. Not in the Twin Cities. 4. U2's Epic Stadium Tour Invades America Again. Ab-so-frickin-lute-ly. 5. Because You Can Watch Any Concert Online in HD. I'd rather be there, thanks. 6. LCD Soundsystem Defines Sound Now. Indeed. 7. Because Live Concerts Sound Better Than Ever. Yes. Credit some new arenas as well as the traveling sound systems. 8. Them Crooked Vultures Are a Supergroup That's Really Super. I need to see them live before I'll commit to that pronouncement. 9. Because You Can Still See Chuck Berry Play Once a Month. Only in St. Louis. 10. Because Indie Rock Has Upgraded to Hi-Fi Sound. Not entirely. I think our ears have adjusted, though. 11. You Can Score Killer Concert Tickets for under $50. Thanks to Green Day, Dave Matthews and a few others, but no thanks to Live Nation. 12. T.I. Is a Free Man. Won't pass judgment till we hear the new album. 13. Because M.I.A. Is Mad As Hell on Her Killer New Album. Always have high hopes and regards for her. 14. Ultimate Jukebox Is Coming to Your Cellphone. Too early to judge. 15. Music's Future Is in Denmark. Unlimited tunes via your cable service. Not worth moving to Denmark for. 16. Tom Morello Fights the Power with His Guitar. Right on. And he's got another new band. 17. MGMT Rejects Fame and Gets Its Freak On. I don't buy this hype. 18. Tribute Bands Are Sometimes Better Than the Real Thing. Then stay home and listen to the CDs. 19. Pop Divas Rule the Charts. You go girls! 20. Keith Richards Has Written an Autobiography. I'll drink to that. 21. Strokes Are Getting It Back Together. What? To play the same song over and over again. 22. Diplo. We're all jealous of the globetrotting DJ/producer/tastemaker. 23. Rock's Most Tasteful Guitar Player Is Finally Letting Loose. I'll decide after Mike Campbell plays here with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 24. Atlantic Records Has Entered the 21st Century. Rolling Stone should have merely praised Janelle Monae, Atlantic's coolest artist, instead of editor/publisher Jann Wenner's favorite label. 25. A Hip-Hop Legend Is Bringing Hi-Fi Back. RS gives credit to exec Jimmy Iovine for Dr. Dre's high-end headphones. 26. Headphones Are Better Than Ever. True but I prefer speakers. 27. Ridiculously Cool Gear Is Coming. Is that a prediction or an ad? 28. Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem Is the Next Jersey Rock Hero. He is if you want a chip off the old E Street block. 29. Dr. Luke's Awesomely Trashy Pop Sound Is Ruling the Airwaves. OK, I admit that I've been a sucker for his radio hits with Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Flo Rida and others. 30. The Roots Are on TV Every Night. Let's celebrate. And rank this much higher on this list. 31. Russell Brand's Plan To Save the Music Industry. He should just leave Katy Perry alone. 32. Jamey Johnson Proves Badass Country is Still Alive in Nashville. He sure does. Can't wait for his new album this summer. 33. Because Sting's Daughter Is About To Enter the Family Business. Another stroke for one of Jann Wenner's friends. (See Atlantic Records.) 34. Derek Trucks Is Eric Clapton's Guitar Hero. And mine, too. 35. Vinyl Sales Have Tripled Since 2006. The ultimate in old school. 36. T Bone Burnett Is a One-Man Roots Revival. He is -- and he's on a roll. Thank you. 37. Classic Rock Vaults Are Far from Empty. Get your Dylan/ Beatles/ Bruce/Neil bootlegs and outtakes in a box. 38. Animal Collective Are the Kings of the New Psychedelic Scene. Overrated. 39. These Missing-in-Action Albums Might Just Come Out. What's the likelihood of this trifecta coming through: new CDs from Amy Winehouse, D'Angelo and Dr. Dre. 40. Because You Really Like Music. Yes, and we really like Sally Field and Sandy Bullock, too.
