If you said the exquisite sound of Rada Neal’s piano (and not something totally snarky), you win an exclusive invitation to be inspired and transported far beyond any run-of-the-mill, symphony-of-the-week piano solo collection.

“Timeless Third” is 45 minutes of pure relaxation and original inspiration I would call hypnotizing. Rada’s music will flow into creases of your brain you probably didn’t know you had and fire off some completely legal chemicals you will definitely enjoy.

Rada has a sensitive touch and a surprisingly creative intuition. The music seems to come effortlessly and it’s hard for me to imagine that these songs haven’t been being played and refined and interpreted for centuries in order to reach this level of sophistication and pure musician-to-listener communication.

And just wait until track four - “Haunting Memories.” Wow. This composition is a trance-inducing trip and my favorite on the CD. I don’t know what memories haunted Rada as she wrote this piece, but I hope they are as beautiful and expansive as the song itself.

I always appreciate the chance to support independent artists and when they are Coloradans, it makes it even better. I highly recommend you give Rada a listen and do your part to keep Pagosa Springs’ atmosphere buzzing.

You can buy “Timeless Third” at Rada’s Web site www.pianopassions.com. Rada’s other CDs are available there, too, and you can sample before you buy.

Why is that when I listen to the radio I never hear bands like this? Has all of radio gone gutless and brain-dead?With the CD “A Lot To Live” the band Rookie proves they are way ready for radio - at least the radio all punk-pop rockers wish existed.

Rookie’s “A Lot To Live” breaks out immediately with insistent, driving guitars and forceful drums in “Rap Star.” Doug Kreitzer’s voice matches the intensity without a hint of indecision or self-indulgence.

The sound is consistent throughout the CD, except for the fourth track, “Heartbreaker,” which mixes peppy little acoustic guitars with a bleak little song. It was grating, but fortunately short. Otherwise, the band puts out tight sounds, tight vocals and harmony that kicks in to boost the lyrics without intruding on Kreitzer’s lead.

Eleven great songs from a 12 track CD? That’s freakin’ unheard of in today’s “music industry.”

I loved Track 2, “OK Love.” It’s a love song for a young millennium, but it shines brightest when it shifts into the sound of the early Psychedelic Furs. (Interesting, since I’ve heard some of the members might not be fans of ’80s music.) Well, it sits great with me and doesn’t come off as an obvious imitation.

What would I find to criticize on this CD? Definitely that it’s too short. It’s strange, the songs feel fully realized, but the CD is over before you know it. No big deal though, just listen to it again. It’s worth your time.

Rookie is: Doug Kreitzer - vocals and rhythm guitar; Tommy Cappel - guitar and vocals; Steve Sherman - bass; Jay Baskette - drums.

Pick up the CD at www.rookierocks.com.