Not every stray idea can become a blog post, and, to clear my system of topics that will never actually get the single-post treatment, here are a few ramblings. Enjoy.

Portishead’s new album, Third, is the best album I’ve heard all year. Lead singer Beth Gibbon’s downtrodden-but-beautiful vocals appear as the obvious standout on this album, but what propels Third to greatness is just how forward-thinking the sound is. I’m not sure how you would classify this album (definitely not trip-hop, the most popular genre Portishead is dropped into), but it’s great, albeit terribly depressing stuff. Video for one of Third’s standout tracks, the industrial-flirting “Machine Gun,” below.

Far be it from me to criticize the lyrical genius that is “You’re So Damn Hot,” but if OK Go can be part of a Center for the Writing Arts event about songwriting, Flava Flav should host a symposium about fashion. Every one of their songs sounds the same; they are more songduplicators than songwriters.

The big Dillo Day rumor running rampant right now is that ’90s alt-rockers Third Eye Blind will be performing. If (IF) this happens, I actually applaud Mayfest, because I’m enjoying the Dillo Day lineup way too much so far. And, if I think the performers thus far have been perfect, that means a large chunk of the campus probably has no idea who they are. Even Common, who’s pretty mainstream, isn’t universal. The group needs a big name group, such as Third Eye Blind, to grab the attention of the average student who just wants recognizable music to kind of flail to while working off their booze.

Three musical acts you should listen to now: Fleet Foxes, Flying Lotus and Tickley Feather.

Trying to figure out the remaining musical acts for Dillo Day? Well, here are a few that definitely won’t be playing at Northwestern, even though they are in Chicago near the big day. M83 won’t be at NU, neither will Islands. The other definitive no-show? Once-rumored-to-show-up-somehow rockers Death Cab for Cutie will be in Missouri the 31st.

Speaking of Ben Gibbard’s motley crew, I’ve just started listening to their new album Narrow Stairs, and, even though I’ve just begun, I see one huge problem with this record. Mainly, the second song (and, most head-scratching, the first single) “I Will Possess Your Heart,” an eight-minute-long rock number that never really goes anywhere. I just can’t get through this thing. Watch for a proper review from someone who scaled the massive, unexciting wall that is “I Will Possess Your Heart” and saw what lies on the other side in the next day or two.

Oh, and just because Third Eye Blind would be a smart choice for Dillo Day doesn’t make them a good band. Seriously, they should stay in the last decade with Seinfeld and Furby.