Whew! After spending the past week in Austin, Texas at the annual South By Southwest music convention--where 3 million artists played one note simultaneously for four consecutive days--I'm sure glad to be back home!

Not just because I'm tired of being jostled around every minute by sweaty youths who smell of smoke and alcohol.

Not just because of the fact that of the 3 million artists who played, only 17 of them were any good.

And not just because I saw nearly every person I've ever met in less than 24 hours.

Nope. I'm just glad I found my house. I went down the street to Rite-Aid a few minutes ago and got lost!

Danity Kane: Welcome To The Dollhouse (Bad Boy) In a world where connections often overshadow musical performance skills, where appearance and appearance alone is the single biggest factor in an artist getting any sort of major label record deal, I'm just glad that oldtimers like Danity Kane are still around cranking out major new albums while they can!  Following up their

It's unlikely that record companies consult on this sort of thing, so it's notable that most of this week's more interesting releases are by female artists.

Even more of interest is that most of them appear to have gotten their respective record deals on the basis of musical talent rather than--how to put this politely?--their looks.

But as the recent smash success of hot videos by Heidi Montag and Tila Tequila makes all too clear, musical talent no longer enters the equation when it comes to making great new records.

And it's been a long time coming!

Janet Jackson: Discipline (Island Def Jam) Let's add the "Jackson" to her name, even though some of her people want us to drop it--you know, shouldn't the name "Janet" alone be sufficient? Sheesh! I've got enough trouble wondering what'll happen if Joe ever gains weight and ends up in the same room as Fat Joe! Anyway, her first album for her new label is chockfull of tunes--22 of them--and chockfuller of some wacky concept about

Like clockwork, the last week of January begins the flow of "real" albums--that is, albums with a legitimate chance of selling that, perhaps wisely, were withheld from release until the holiday season was over, the industry was up and moving again, and our president promised to send everyone lots of free cash!

And sure enough, there's a little something out there for everyone: Fans of teenpop, country music, alternative rock, hip new bands, Willie Nelson and Sarah Brightman!

Plus many exciting new digital downloads!

In short, this is the best time in history to be a music fan yet! What say we buy everything and see what happens next?

Mars Volta: The Bedlam In Gotham (GSL/Strummer/Universal) Perhaps this week's coolest band--then again, perhaps not--this rockin' combo is flavorful, adventurous, wild 'n' crazy, and sort of what Rush might've sounded like if LSD had ever been available in Canada! It's a substantial disc, honking off in every conceivable direction, and pretty much the

It's a great week for new releases, if you ask me!

Mostly because I can't see a single CD here that's a natural to unexpectedly top the charts and make me long for those safe days of yesteryear--when superstars like Yung Joc and Soulja Boy Tellem took their rightful positions as America's biggest sellers! As a result, it would appear that many of this week's biggest albums may consist of more than just one hot single and oodles more filler!

On the other hand, it may signify that 2008 has already peaked in music sales!

I suspect it's just a coincidence, and suggest you do the same!

Natasha Bedingfield: Pocket Full Of Sunshine (Epic) For my money, this week's candidate for highest debut honors--and what an honor it is!--should go to England's lovely Ms. Bedingfield, a charming young lady who's got a great voice and a fine head on her shoulders as well! Oddly, a version of this album has been out in the UK since last April, but Pocket appears to be fully Americanized for the tacky ol'