Busy little beaver.

It's a cold, dark Monday morning better suited to anticipation rather than quiet (or not-so-quiet) reflection.

So here's what you have to look forward to reading later today.

• My quick peek at the worthwhile shows of this week.
• My review of the new My Chemical Romance ... or should I say Use Your Illusion III?
• My review of last Friday's Tally Hall show in Chicago (with a brief word or two about The Changes.)

You know, it's amazing just how productive one can be over the weekend when one doesn't go out drinking until 5am on a Saturday night. Come to think of it, I was pretty productive Saturday too, and I was out Friday night. So maybe there is no correlation. But, then again, maybe there is.

Here is where, were a writer moved by the hype machine, I would post a tack by The Klaxons. Instead I'm going to opt for something a little more telling and give you a gift from the new Isis album coming out next week. It's the first tune off the disc and I can't think of a better way to kick off a Monday morning than with this slow burn of a build.

Isis "Wrists Of Kings"
And finally, since Halloween is just around the corner...