The boundary between counterculture and coporate music is especially blurry these days. I am still bowled over when I hear the likes of Mogwai, Of Montreal, and other "indie" bands on commercials. I used to be enraged by this, but now I see there's a positive and a negative side to media saturation. On one hand, there's a certain level of hypocrisy when artists belie the principles they purport to embody for the sake of money. On the other, there is so much music about social change out there that would never before have had the exposure it has now. These days it's not only the counterculture that is against being an 'American Idiot;' the proliferation via Napster, YouTube, and product placement in commercials and T.V. shows, of underground hip hop, indie rock, electronica and other alternative styles, is creating a sense of excitement and idealism among this generation's mainstream that hasn't been seen in a while. People are being unified across traditional boundaries in a really interesting way as diverse sounds and ideas become acceptable--and inevitable-- in the mainstream. For instance, the last time I went to the CD store I definitely picked up both Avril's new album (don't tell) and an old Dead Prez...