Good Records

It’s Monday afternoon, and there are no reports yet (ever?) on Saturday’s eighth anniversary band-fest at Good Records. Dallas is lucky to have a number of indie record stores like Good, CD Source and CD World at a time when they’re closing across the country by the thousands.

Speaking of good local music, Murry Hammond of Dallas-bred Old 97’s releases a solo record Tuesday that’s getting positive reviews. Meanwhile a new 97’s album, Blame It on Gravity, is due out May 13, and the band appears on Leno Thursday and plays House of Blues May 31. You can hear Murry’s record in its entirety here. Did it move you?

Not so much Rockwall’s Jason Castro, this year’s most overrated American Idol contestant still hanging on. Believe it or not, it’s all about under-singing in Season 7 as coolness tries to overtake belting on the most popular show on television. Even David Cook, whose hip persona makes him the favorite, is drawing skepticism. Uncle Barky weighs in. Who’s your pick?