The first in what will hopefully be a series of brutally honest reviews of music...

Why I bought it: I read a review that said they were "back in form", I hadn't heard anything since Youthanasia (and I was curious) and it came with a free Roadrunner Records sampler.

In a sentence or so: Great music, OK singing, not quite ignorable lyrics.

Tell me more...
I enjoyed the first listen but after listening a few times over the last couple of weeks I've decided I only really like the first three tracks and the remake of A Tout Le Monde (from Youthanasia). Even those have issues (lyrics) that are hard to ignore. Sleepwalker (track 1) is available for free download on the band's website.

I find it impossible to ignore the lyrical content, very in your face discussions of the recent war, the U.N., and other wackiness. Even when I agree with him I still want to slap him. Like those guys that hand out pamphlets in the mall. Reminds me a little of listening to Dream Theater actually, except Dave Mustaine's voice is way less irritating.

Overall it's an enjoyable listen, I love the production of the music, but I find myself wishing I could mix the vocals down a little.

I'll admit I'm a little scared to post this review having seen the Some Kind Of Monster documentary...

Wacky band facts
Formed in 1983 after Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica. 11 albums. Lots of line up changes over the past 20 or so years. They broke up in 2002 (various health problems) and got back together in 2004. Dave "identifies as Christian" and now refuses to play some old Megadeth tracks, but he isn't "born again" and prefers not to talk about his beliefs. The media likes to make a big deal out of it. Megadeth are known as one of the "big four" thrash metal bands: Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax (in no particular order).

Water restrictions on hold [The Age]:

Stage 3a was planned to remain in force until August 1 but recent rains have prompted Mr Thwaites to extend it.

"There is no room for complacency about water saving," he said.

"Our storages are currently at 34.3 per cent, about 13 percentage points lower than they were this time last year."

I'll be comfortable dropping water restrictions when the water reserves hit around 90%.

I wonder if the massive pipe they're building from the north goes both ways?

We need a holiday. A week away. Somewhere warm. We've been saving our holidays up for the honeymoon, but now we have a better idea of when the wedding will be (more on that in a few weeks) we realise we have some leave up our sleeve.

We'd like to go to Perth (21C max) after D+P's recommendations but it's expensive to get to (around about $1100 return for two people). Brisbane isn't really all that warm (19C max) nor all that much cheaper (bit less than $1000) but it isn't raining. Although it hit sub zero overnight on the Gold/Sunshine Coast this week.

So maybe warm is out of the picture.

I'd prefer not to drive unless it's only a hour or two away.

There is a man who gets on my bus. He lives near me because I've seen him walking to the stop. He's hunched over with age and has a little bit of a limp. The old man wobble. He refuses to accept a seat from people on the bus, even though nearly every time he almost falls flat on his face when the bus moves off.

In his hands he always carries his briefcase and his jacket. He looks to one who is young, about a million years old.

And yet he still works. Every day. I wonder what it is that he does. I wonder why he doesn't retire. I wonder if he just needs the money, or if he's irreplaceable. I'm sure his mind is sharp even if his body isn't.

Sometimes I wonder if he's just stubborn and doesn't want to retire. He's good at his job and why should someone else do it? Maybe he's a scientist on the edge of discovery. Just another few years...

Part of me imagines John Howard walking to work like that, one day.

I'd hate to see Mr Howard quit politics if the Libs lose this election. Nothing would be more fun to watch than John Howard the opposition leader.