It really annoys me when record labels -- trying to save money, trying to curb piracy, trying to tick me off -- send review copies in digital form only. Seriously, James Blunt does nothing for me on CD, so I sure as hell ain't downloading a "special player" to listen to that dope.

If that sounds grumpy and unreasonable, too bad. One of the great perks of this gig is free crap. Thankfully, most labels still bust it old-school (but certainly not for long), and over the last two days, there's been a tsunami of new CDs and related perks flooding my desk.

I'm really digging KT Tunstall's new Drastic Fantastic. I think people are buzzing about the Scottish pop star because she's a newcomer at a relatively ripe 32 years old. She has her sh-- together. She's not vapid and blonde. Sure, her music is nothing revolutionary, but it has backbone and catchy melodies. You feel like rooting for her, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, here are some of the other goodies that have shown up today (not counting my 10th copy of 50 Cent's Curtis)...

Eddie Vedder -- Into the Wild
John Fogerty -- Revival
Diana Krall -- The Very Best Of
Emmylou Harris -- Songbird (4CD/DVD)
Hot Hot Heat -- Happiness Ltd.
Athlete -- Beyond the Neighbourhood
John Scofield -- This Meets That
Sea Wolf -- Leaves in the Rover