Have to agree with you, Eric.  Much of the popularized music that the media forces on the public may suck, but there's plenty of good stuff out there, past and present.  Top 40 radio and ugh..Classic Rock are 2 of the main culprits.  Same 40 songs, Same cuts from the same 70's and 80's bands...of course it's depressing.

But then again, there's Swervedriver, Catherine Wheel, the Gandharvas, Jesus Lizard, Sun Kil Moon, the Blackeyed Susans, the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash (check these boys out...signed to the one and only Gaff Music), etc...etc..insert your favorite artists here--------------------+...+ n-1, n> and of course ahem...David Baerwald. 

So, let us not despair. 

G