UNDERRATED / OVERRATED

Nick Cave: Some longtime fans might disagree, but has there been a more appropriately Lazarus-like rebirth of a veteran artist quite like the 50-year-old former Birthday Party singer’s recent track record? On the heels of last year’s raw “Grinderman” project, its unbelievable alt-rock’s dark prince still had enough in his tank for the hyper-literate (and hyper-funny) album “Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!” We’re thankful he did.

Classic rock: We should probably define our terms before rainbow-ringed oval bumper stickers start showing up in the mail, but there is no more reliable holiday party-pleaser than Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Steely Dan, et al. Be advised, though: Many of their songs have been driven directly into the ground by corporate radio programming. So remember, that’s why the “deep cut” was invented.

The History Channel: It’s understandable when a quest for Nielsen gold inspires a shift in programming priorities, but try to explain how a show such as last week’s “Sex in Space” -- about what sex might be like in the future -- is true to the spirit of a network devoted to the past. We’re not asking for round-the-clock Ken Burns or archival newsreel footage, but surely there are other options that might have just a little to do with, say, history.

UNDERRATED

OVERRATED

‘Graceland’ as indie rock touchstone: Don’t get us wrong; we love Paul Simon and this 1986 masterpiece. And Vampire Weekend’s prep school ska was fine for a summer, while Islands showed some quirky charm on “Arm’s Way.” But please let 2009 be the year indie rockers opt to dig through another crate. If we hear one more global-beat-inspired chorus or guitar tone, we may seek a U.N. intervention.