Hi Pod!

1) Muckafurgason - "You Ain't A Dog"

This is a version of Muckafurgason's EXCELLENT songs (with which they opened when I saw them) "You Ain't A Man" (I say "songs" because there are two versions besides the dog one) that uses dogs barking for the melody line. When their website was still up, they had a smattering of (also excellent) 30-second songs for free download, some of those are absolutely priceless. This one, not so much, but the source material and the compatriots of this one at least meant it surrounded itself with greatness.

2) They Might Be Giants - "Maybe I Know"

Solid Leslie Gore cover from the FIRST download-only album ever released (1999), LONG TALL WEEKEND.

3) Arrested Development - "Tennessee"

Still wails no matter what y'all say. I saw Arrested Development do a free outdoor concert in Madison, Wisconsin one time (like 2002?), and it was phenomenal.

4) The Thompson Twins - "Love On Your Side"

From a "Cult Classics From The 80s" double-discer I picked up for a pittance in Europe one time. The compilation has some wicked cuts on it, this one is in the mid-wicked range I'd say. Gotta love the orchestra "hits"...they really make the song sound like it coulda been made by an early-1990s KLOU 103.3 DJ.

5) Sean Na Na - "Bottom"

Sean Na Na is the emo other-project of Har Mar Superstar, or at least that's my understanding. I bought this at a HMS show one time like eight years ago. There's a highlight or two on the album, but overall it's pretty dull. The title of the album is awesome, though, DANCE 'TIL YOUR BABY IS A MAN.

6) Midwest Avengers - "64-Bit Compilation"

From their 1998 release AVENGERS ASSEMBLE. I have yet to get their newer one. The finest local hip-hop outfit for the past 10 years plus.

7) The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - "Love All Of Me"

NOW I GOT WORRY is definitely one of the finest releases Matador Records ever put out, which of course places it among the greatest rock albums of the 1990s. I do love me some JSBX, especially when it's as raw and fuzzy as this.

8) Screaming Trees - "For Celebrations Past"

I never liked SWEET OBLIVION as much as DUST where Screaming Trees' major-label releases are concerned, which is not to discount the merits of that earlier release. I always did like Mark Lanegan's voice.

9) The Conformists - "Dial Tone"

The Conformists were always a little Shellac-y (after all, Steve Albini produced their album, and they were the openers for the only Shellac show ever to occur in the period since I've known of Shellac or the Conformists), but of course that is part of what makes them awesome. I saw them in August and they still churn it out all slow and sludgy and unrhythmically.

10) Babes In Toyland - "Jungle Train"

I just put a DIFFERENT Babes In Toyland song on a mix tape I made! I do love me some Babes In Toyland. Man, this shuffle makes me look like the bulk of my record collection is rooted in 1990s indie rock or something...

And to answer your question, yes, we hate you. It's why we keep a-comin' back!

My friend once made a video composed of a single shot, in Park Hills, MO, while we were on lunch during another video shoot, for "Dancin' Machine." It's pretty entertaining, if only because it's as unlikely as a dude in an orange jumpsuit and a vest, barefoot, improvising dance moves in the middle of a street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNrV8OOLLmM

1.) History of Unreal - "Infernal Realm" As much of a Movie buff as I am, and am an equal Video Game Buff, Unreal Tournament to me is the best, longest lasting First Person Shooter, been with them from the beginning.

2.) Lost Prophets - "4 AM Forever" I heard this song after losing a friend to a Gang Shooting, and it clicked instantly, powerful lyrics, helps you stop taking anything for granted.

3.) Hawthorne Heights - "This Is Who We Are" God damnit, never again will I let my brother use my iTunes... damnit. NEXT!

4.) Depeche Mode - "Personal Jesus" Head this song on the way back from the movies a few years back (yeah I know I was late as shit), and instantly fell in love, got all their albums!

5.) Anberlin - "The Feel Good Drag" Possibly one of my favorite songs, ever. They sound awesome live, which is rare. This is a song that makes you just want to be that hero that fucks up the baddies proper.

6.) Ave Verum Corpus - "St. Augustine Voices" My girlfriends family formed a Catholic choir, and made a CD. Beautiful music, not downloadable via iTunes unfortunately.

7.) Blindside - "Pitiful" Some say this song is about when Peter denied Jesus, the lyrics fit, and seem powerful because of it.

8.) History of Unreal - "Skyward Fire" This song dubbed the last level of the original Unreal Tournament, it set the mood for a great ending to a even greater game.

9.) Benny Benassi - "Satisfaction" I heard this song long before I saw the video, if you haven't done either, DO IT! Good techno/trance mixed in to a horny song haha.

10.) Billy Idol - "White Wedding" I have a thing for 80's songs, even though I was born in '86... weird huh.

And dude, find time for Cloverfield, I don't think you will regret it. I found time to review it http://vchronicles.wordpress.com/ << shameless plug haha :).

~Vaughn

The Zombies - I Must Move

Probably the 4th or 5th best band the 60s, period. Underappreciated. This is one of their best.

White Stripes - Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn

It's strange to say but this is probably my most played track on the new WS album. I just seem to prefer weird, eccentric, yodelling Jack White to classic-rocking Jack White.

Thom Yorke - Cymbal Rush

I think it's interesting to compare all the hype and anticipation for the new Radiohead album to the generally apathetic reaction to Yorke's solo album in 04. The reason may be that these songs are basically RH minus the big choruses.

R.E.M. - Fall On Me

This has always been one of my fav songs of theirs. The three overlapping voices in the chorus just does it for me

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Miracle Man (Live at the El Mocambo)

From a rare live recording released between his first two albums. Fantastic.

Castaways - Liar, Liar

Freaky but catchy tune from the Nuggets comp.

Any Trouble - Yesterday's Love

Any fan of early Costello should check out this band's 1st album. They were on the same record label around the same time and completely stole his sound, but they wrote really great songs.

Holy Fuck - Super Inuit (Live)

Was just blown away by this band live last week. Two mad scientists hunched over tape loops and keyboards while a bass player and drummer perform like they're in The Who.

Super Furry Animals - The Turning Tide

In the past 6 months I went from never having listened to this band to being deeply obsessed with their entire catalogue, rarely listening to anything else. Start with their best-of - every song is perfect.

The Jam - Dreams of Children

Love this band as a singles band. I don't have any albums - I might get around to them sometime soon though.

Alright, let's fire this baby up:

"Headling For The Light" by the Traveling Wilburys. Had this tape back in the day when it first came out, I must have been 14 or so. Just really dug "Handle With Care" and got into the rest of it fairly easily. I mean, come on. Harrison, Dylan, Petty, Lynne, and Orbison. How hard can it be to listen to THAT? Certainly not any of their GREATEST music, but it's all very good and you can tell they were enjoying themselves. Lastly - and not just cause he sings it - this one really feels like a Harrison single, one that would fit just right on a solo release.

"Window" by Richard Buckner. I got into Buckner after reading a review for his CD "The Hill" and being intrigued. It was phenomenal; the only way I can describe it is to call it an alt-country "The Wall" and even that doesn't really do it justice. This track is from his latest release "Meadow" and it's pretty stellar as usual. His voice honestly reminds me of Dwight Yoakam if he'd been eaten by a bear.

"Take The Money And Run" by the Steve Miller Band.

• I kinda think that SMB's Greatest Hits, 73-78 (I think those are the years), should be a required purchase for anyone who claims to love good old fashioned kickass rock n' roll. Sure, most of the tunes are played on classic rock radio almost constantly, but still. There's a reason why this music sounds this good 30 years later, and why people still buy it.

"All Time Low" by Widespread Panic. I never got much into the "jam" bands of the 90's much (Phish was okay; they could play, sure, but eh) except for these guys and Big Head Todd and The Monsters, who I've always resisted calling a jam band but people constantly tell me they are so whatever. The Panic, though - these dudes just got it DONE. Live, they didn't fucking mess around and they made sure they had well-crafted Southern blues-country-jazz-rock tunes to record in the studio. This one's from "Til The Medicine Takes," still my favorite CD of theirs and one of their last with late guitarist Michael Houser.

"That Song" by Big Wreck. A band that I'd have thought would go a little farther than they did; their first single "The Oaf" was pretty kickass, I thought. Got the CD and this tune immediately jumped out at me. My girlfriend at the time would listen to it with me and she loved the beginning cause it threatens to go into a Cure-ish direction for a bit before the heavy guitars kick in for the breakdown, and the chorus is just phenomenal. Plus, for some stupid reason I can't NOT love the line "I'm just a pocketbook Brando." Is it pretentious? Probably, yeah. Is it saying something about me I wish I had said yet am most likely mistaken about? Almost surely.

"One More Mouth" by Josh Ritter. Now THIS guy should be huge. And if there's ever been any justice in the universe, he will be. "The Animal Years" just SLAYS me. "Thin Blue Flame" is one of the most intense songs I have ever heard in my existence; sometimes it makes me just shudder with chills to hear it. The rest of the CD's much the same. When his lyrics are as dead on as he gets - which is 98% of the time - he's telling us something about ourselves and this world that's so true it just breaks your heart or makes you smile. Sometimes both at the same time.

"Loomer" by My Bloody Valentine. What a crazy goddamn CD "Loveless" is. Had been hearing all kinds of stuff about it since it had come out and I finally caved a couple years ago. I couldn't be happier that I did. Beautiful and meandering, psychotic and vague and melodic and dreamy and blah blah blah. It's just something. Really needs to be listened to by the individual to decide if it's for them or not. If you don't like it - even if you despise it with all of your very being - I completely understand. But it moves me, so I don't really care.

"Damn U" by Prince. Anybody who doesn't love at least one Prince song doesn't truly love music, as far as I'm concerned. Of course, it helps that he's made roughly most kinds and style of music under the sun, but the magic really lies in the execution. This one, from his untypeable "Love Symbol" album (which I always thought was underrated - maybe it was the New Power Generation dragging it down), is all strings and piano and a gently rolling bass line used in service of one of his patented nuts-in-a-vise ballads.

"Growing On Me" by The Darkness. Speaking of nuts-in-a-vise. Look, I agree that The Darkness are mostly ridiculous, and I'm quite positive that they know that. Honestly? I could give a rat's ass. Did I enjoy glam rock when I was a kid? Yeah, I suppose. The cock rock of the late 70's and 80's? You're goddamn right I did. That's just what I grew up on. So I can say with NO shame in my game that I just love these guys. They're having fun, man - too many bands seem to have forgotten about that crucial little ingredient; most rock bands these days are such depressing bastards with the "I hate the world and wish to die" that they should include a razor blade in their CD. But The Darkness just wanna rock, baby, and have a good time. Plus I honestly think that, for the style of music they specialize in, they're great songwriters.

"The World Has Turned And Left Me Here" by Weezer. I got this CD ("The Blue Album") and Green Day's "Dookie" on the same day. THAT was a kickass summer, way back in '94. This song never got much love, yet it was one of my favorites. I guess "Buddy Holly" (good tune but nowhere near the best on the CD) kinda overwhelmed everything else that year. Damn you AND your video, Spike Jonze! A hell of a tune, though. Also really like "Only In Dreams," another that you don't really hear anything about. It's all "Buddy Holly" and "The Sweater Song" and "Say It Ain't So." Cool, sure, but shit. No one's ever heard "Surf Wax America"?

So that's it, man. This was pretty cool, I thank ya. Keep rockin -

That part about Depeche Mode was very funny. I'm still giggling. Thanks.

I was going to shuffle my "More Songs I Can't Live Without" playlist because I knew it would make me appear cooler (is that possible???) but I decided to go with total honesty and just use my main library:

1. Too Soon To Tell - Bonnie Raitt. This came out when Husband and I broke up while dating.....It played right to my broken heart. Aawwww so sad! 2. Brick House - The Commodores. She's mighty, mighty! I must dance! 3. Let The Rest Of The World Go By, John Barry, Out Of Africa. Loved the music, loved the movie. Redford and Streep dressed in whites, dancing under the Kenyan stars??? Doesn't get a lot more romantic than that. 4. Only A Dream In Rio - James Taylor. I think this is one of the best songs he's written. It's a vivid description of his trip to Rio and it is full of imagery and romance. It's beautiful. 5. The Carter Family - Carly Simon. Okay, now it does seem totally fake that this would come up right after James Taylor, but if you saw how loaded my Ipod is with these two, you'd get it. This song represents my adolescence and the years I spent in love with my first boyfriend... I must have listened to this and Hotcake about a thousand times each. 6. Fragile - Sting. Great song, great album. He's so talented even if he's sometimes hard to take. 7. In Between Days - The Cure. I'm an 80's Girl 4-eva. I spent many nights dancing in Malibu and listening to WLIR... 8. Hurley's Handouts, Michael Giacchino, LOST soundtrack. This is probably my favorite piece of music in the last 10 years. It so beautifully depicted the scene in LOST when Hurley distributes all the food he's found. It brought them all together. It's a peaceful, settling piece of music that I can listen to over and over and over. 9. Live To Tell - Madonna. Not a real fan of Skanky, but I did like this song even if I never went to see the suck-ay movie. 10. Wild Horses - The Sundays. Great remake of a beautiful Stones song. Reminds me of my crib on 56th and 2nd. Husband (then boyfriend) and I making dinner, drinking wine and smoking tons of cigarettes and well, you know.....those were the days.

1.) "F*ckin' Up" by Pearl Jam off Live on Two Legs. It's a Neil Young cover, and it rocks with conviction. 2.) "The Best Little Secret" by Louis XIV. Catchy and sleazy are the words that come to mind when I listen to it. 3.) "Black and White World." By Elvis Costello off Get Happy!! A perfect song, like pretty much everthing off this record, which is one of his best. 4.) "Wind Up" by Foo Fighters off The Colour and the Shape. They'll probably never make a better album than this, and the fact that it's been out for over ten years makes me feel old. 5.) "Dreams Love Faces." By The Baobabs. It's a friend's band. I've had some friends in the past who made cringingly bad music, but this is actually pretty good. 6.) "Radio Song" by REM Featuring KRS-One from Out of Time. "Yo, I can't find that on the radio ... turn it to that station." REM need to collaborate with more rappers, just cause it's so fucking strange. 7.) "Gone" by Pearl Jam, off their most recent self-titled album. It's kind of embarrassing that they've appeared twice on this list. Aw well. 8.) "Ghost" by Neutral Milk Hotel from In the Airplane Over the Sea. Great indie rock record. I've noticed that a lot of the lyrics have semen references. There's one song where the whole chorus is just "semen stains the mountaintops/semen stains the mountaintops!" It's sung very seriously, but I can't help from giggling. "King of Carrot" flowers is fucking genius though, one of my favorite songs. 9.) "Beaten to the Punch" Elvis Costello. Again off Get Happy! I've got nearly five thousand songs on this ipod, which is all it holds. What are the odds that two songs from the same album come up? 10.) "Hollywood Hopeful" by Loudon Wainright III. From Unrequited. I've never actually listened to this song before, it's pretty scathing, with Player-sentiment about this town.

Its been a while! I really wanted to comment on this because I love it. So here is my shuffle list. If you know me.. it makes alot of sense. 1) Diary- Alicia Keys from the diary of alicia keys, the grammy-winning masterpiece. I love this song because it reminds me of the early stages of a love affair i had, and am still sort of having, with a closeted pal... oh the joys. The titly almost speaks for itself. 2)Where are my Panties? - Andre 3000/Outkast I listened to The Love Below.. about 4000 times during my senior year of college.. and this little interlude is genious... We have all felt that way at some point in our lives, when we hook up with someone. I never even skip over this track, its hilarious. 3)So High- John Legend This song is Gorgeous. Just plain gorgeous.. evokes the timeless nature of what R&B soul music really is...and who can deny JL's buttery delicious vocals and skilled piano playing? 4)Doin It Again- LL Cool J This is a remix to the ever-popular "Doin It". It's alot sexier, and slower and for real.. if your girl doesn't cum when you make love to this song.. then you simply suck at life. 5)Raspberry Beret- Prince Ah. My all time favorite person in all the world. This song is classic Prince at it's finest. Being a huge fan of this magician, I am not prone to listen to this song so often, I listen to ALOT of the other stuff.. the more obscure stuff. But whenever I hear this.. i just lose it. The strings are gorgeous.. the lyrics are bad-ass, and its just the right bridge between being a pretty gay song to being a very delicious rock and roll song. 6) Back in Black- AC/DC I really have no idea how this song got on to my ipod, but I will tell you... when I have the urge to get shitfaced and dance with my girls while they pretend to be strippers, it's always a good time. 7)15 Step- Radiohead Being a musician myself.. I can appreciate great music like this for all of its technical gorgeousness. This song is from In Rainbows, the latest installment, which has floored me, being a fairly recent fan of their music. The complexity of the rhythms, the lyrics, the beauty... it is just a masterpiece. 8)Do It All Night - Prince Now this is more like it... this song is fucking great. Simply, great. Great bassline- which is common in alot of Prince's music, great ridiculous lyrics and the funk-soul sexiness just makes me wet with glee. I am modeling alot of my musical endeavors on songs like this.. of course in a less overtly sexual way..only prince can truly pull that off, but as far as the quality, I can only HOPE to sound so fucking tight. 9)Flashback- Kelis I danced to this song in college, in my dance troupe. Probably one of the most fun songs to do a hip-hop routine to.. Kelis just rolls her voice over this addictive beat.. it's one of those songs that you know you have to be dressed well, sipping a deliciously expensive drink, and have beautiful men and women around, in order to listen to it. 10)Tug of War- Nikka Costa. I have one word for Nikka Costa - UNDERRATED. This girl can sing like no other.. Her voice is leaps and bounds ahead of many of the female vocalists of our current time. This song, among many others of hers, is chock full of great musical arrangements and really poetic lyrics. She takes the bullshit of Love to the next level and sings the shit out of it. I simply love her.. and I suggest you go out and get the album: Everybody Got Their Something

I always felt "Only a Dream in Rio" was little tossed-off. <BR> <BR> 1. ...Baby One More Time - Fountains of Wayne. This cover is amazingly un-ironic. <BR> 2. Fire it Up - Modest Mouse. I still haven't gotten around to fully digesting this album. <BR> 3. No Shelter - Rage Against the Machine. This is off the Godzilla soundtrack, but Rage still disses the movie in the lyrics, just to let us know they're all still edgy. It's a decent song. <BR> 4. Punk as Fuck - The American Analog Set. Very laid back. I think this band exists solely as music to put on after you've got a drunk girl back to your apartment. <BR> 5. Where is My Mind - The Pixies. I will always think of Fight Club now when I hear this song. But that's a good thing. <BR> 6. Neighborhood #2 (Laika) - Arcade Fire. Not my favorite of the "neighborhood" songs on Funeral, but I like the accordion. It sounds a little dangerous, like 12 Monkeys. <BR> 7. Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield. Another of those songs nobody listened to before Pulp Fiction. <BR> 8. Details of the War - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Kinda mellow, which I like, because the guy's voice sounds kind of annoying the louder and faster he sings.<BR> 9. Favourite Friend - Snow Patrol. This is off one of Snow Patrol's earlier album, before they'd discovered the proper sound to making girls' panties melt. <BR> 10. The Church of Logic, Sin and Love - The Men. Wow, how obscure. Does anyone remember this song? early nineties angst at it's finest. "This is real, this is now, this is a freak show baby anyhow." Spoken word verses and singing choruses. This was one of my favorite songs in Junior High. I'm still not sure what it's about.

Ok, so this shuffle stuff is all well and good (in fact, I have a playlist on my iTunes called Pat's top 100, from a post you did a while back) BUT ... when are you going to start writing about The Wire? You're such a tease!

1. Skin Is, My- Andrew Bird (The Mysterious Production of Eggs)

Ah, the tentative glockenspiel rocking of Mr. Andrew Bird. One of the more up-tempo numbers on a generally Elliot Smith-style album, all ephemeral voice and twisty melodies. I like this song. It's good for all situations, whether you want to drop a bunch of heroin or just park your Firebird out by the airport, sit on the hood and stare into the middle distance.

2. Distractions, Bugz in the Attic Remix- Zero 7 (Simple Things Remixes)

Probably the greatest pure laid-back dance remix ever created. It runs about six minutes, and at about minute four, you begin to question your priorities in life. Namely, the amount of Bacardi you have left unsipped, and how woefully behind you are on your fucking. You curse The Man, and vow to get back on track.

3. Mother of Pearl- Nellie McKay (Obligatory Villagers)

This is a rough one, because I have been singing the praises of Nellie McKay since her first album, but.... yeah, I think she kind of lost her fastball on this release. She's always been experimental, and God bless, but this just feels so much less funny and interesting than her last few albums that it's tough not to be disappointed. The chorus of this song is "Feminists don't have a sense of humor," which would be an ironic commentary by a genuinely funny lady if the song itself weren't such a drag. Eh, what are you going to do.

4. Polar Bear- Ride (Nowhere)

And Ride begat Dinosaur Jr., and Dinosaur Jr. begat Blur and Oasis, and Blur and Oasis had a nasty, incestuous three-way with U2 and begat Snow Patrol. Meanwhile, Jackson wonders while he falls for this shoegazing bullshit every couple of years. God help me, I am a sucker for a thumping base line.

5. Limo Wreck- Soundgarden (Superunknown)

There were six songs that were released as singles off of Superunknown. This was not one of them. It's like that slightly crazy girl you dated in college between actual relationships.

6. My Name- Eminem, Nate Dogg and Xzibit (Man vs. Machine)

Ha! The music I work out to. Also known as the song where Xzibit got name-checked on his OWN FUCKING ALBUM. Xzibit. It's '02. You can either let Eminem produce your song, or rap on it. Don't let him do both. He's just going to take it the fuck over.

7. Butterflies- Michael Jackson (Invincible)

Why are twenty three year olds the best to have sex with? Because if one starts crying for mommy, you still have nineteen more.

This was the album, and really the single that proved what a vapid country we are. It wasn't when Michael Jackson was accused of child molestation (the first time) that we gave up on him. It was when he made this truly shitty album. Look, you know he's going to come out with another album before he dies. If it's good, and I mean Bad or Off The Wall good? We are going to be in some deep shit as a country. We're going to listen to a couple of songs, KNOW FOR A FACT that the money we spend is going to be used to purchase a tear-away Cub Scout uniform, and then buy the fucking album anyway. Dammit.

8. Low Down Dirty Mean- The Allman Brothers (Seven Turns)

Damn, two piss-poor albums by formerly great artists in a row. Pretty sure this was when The Allman Brothers became their own tribute band. Listen to Whipping Post or Memory of Elizabeth Reed, then listen to this bullshit and tell me that Duane Allman and Berry Oakley didn't take the easy way out.

9. I'm Going Home- Arlo Guthrie (Alice's Restaurant)

Great song off of one of my favorite movies. Although a lot of people see it as this joyous celebration of the free-love lifestyle, it's actually a really poignant picture of that time that Hunter S. Thompson was talking about, that place where "with the right kind of eyes, you can almost see the high water mark, the place where the wave broke and rolled back." Incredible movie. Netflix it.

10. Traffic and Weather- Fountains of Wayne (Traffic and Weather)

"Chuck Scarborough turns to Sue Simmons...says sugar you don't know what you missin'...ooh, we belong together, like traffic and weather, like traffic and weather..."

I can not contribute to this list because I only have an ipod shuffle, and it's stocked up with books on tape I listen to when I use when I work out.

I did want to mention that your Paul Becker story brought back a torrent of memories, not all of them pleasant.

Re: Billy Joel

To this day whenever I hear 'Captain Jack', the image that jumps into my head is of WOLFMAN JACK as a drug dealer.

At this point in my comment, go to YouTube and search 'Wolfman Jack' and UCB. The Upright Citizens Brigade makes a WOLFMAN JACK Doorbell.

SOLID.

Ken Digital

First I'll preface this by saying: yes I am a dork!!

1) "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston..who doesn't love a song that says "Dem all Dees Beautiful Girls"

2) "Oh What a Time" by The Gaither Vocal Band...see told you I'm a dork..but everyone needs a little church on their Ipod, right??

3) "Oridnary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan..from the movie Charlotte's Web, this was sung at my wedding

4) "Loves Me Like A Rock" by Lennie Watts..a great remake done by none other than my Uncle

5) "Middle of Nowhere" by Hot Hot Heat...I have to admit I usually skip this song much but it's pretty good now that I've actually listened to it

6) "Love Me Do" The Beatles...not my favorite Beatles song by far

7) "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel...now this is just getting embarrassing, but I won't lie.. I love this song!!

8) "Life Is Beuatiful" by Vega4.. This song actually does make life seem beautiful even when I'm sitting at work answering 911 listening to stupid drunk people who beat their wives

9) "Non-Believer" by La Rocca...Not much to say about this song except for that it's a great one

10) "Bad Day" by Alvin and the Chipmunks...Yup, I knew this was going to happen...Don't knock it til you listen to it, at first I just thought it was just hysterical but now I've decided that I actually like this one better than the Daniel Powter version..that's sad

Denny, I too was afraid that this or Alvin's version of Funky Town would pop up on my Ipod. Bad Day by the Chipmunks IS deeply addicting. Just listened to it this morning. Amazing harmonies.....LOL.

D'OH!!! Sorry DennERy, I apologize for getting your name wrong!!! Must be all that chipmunk music...

Hi Pat! Long time reader, first time poster. Really love your writing. Always enjoy these posts so here's my list:

"Matadora" by Cordero

Great band from New York City. They're kind of latin and kind of rock, but not quite "latin rock". More of a southwester/mexican style meets the city. Great production. Female vocalist/guitarist that sings in spanish and english. Tight rhythm section and a keyboard/trumpet player in the mix. This song is about a female bull fighter and has a flamenco groove going on. You will find yourself attempting to sing along despite the fact you don't speak spanish. Highly recommended.

"To Mandate Heaven" by Poison The Well

Crazy, angry music! With "hardcore" screaming! Can't really listen to this music as much as I use to, but a touch of emo-ish singing here and there (just enough not to be annoying) balances it out. These bands are a dime a dozen now but these guys were one of the first. Admittedly got into this band past the acceptable "angsty music" age. Not conducive to driving home in rush hour traffic after a long day at work.

"Sid's Ahead" by Miles Davis

I'm not really a huge Miles fan. I find his brand of jazz to be a little too "cool" sometimes. I prefer Coltrane or Art Blakey, something with more pep in the step. But if Hugh Hefner was coming over and you wanted to impress his I guess you would put this on.

"Acid Food" by Mogwai

One of my favorite bands. A Scottish-mostly-instrumental band. They go from pretty guitar melodies and soft electronics to guitar distorted mayhem and noise in a heart beat. This is one of their more laid back songs from the most recent album, with singing, so ignore the above description. This songs follows one of their heaviest songs "Glasgow Mega Snake". Both highly recommended.

"When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below)" by Johnny Cash

One of those songs that sounds like a nice love song until you find out he was dancing with another man's wife and her husband cut him down with an axe. So I guess he's singing to us from beyond the grave. Gotta love Johnny.

"Rainy Day, Dream Away" by Jimi Hendrix Experience

Jimi ventures into blues/jazz territory. I think if he didn't pass away his music would of moved in this direction and he was really just starting to push boundaries.

"White Light Of" by Do Make Say Think

One of my favorite bands of all time. Started as a psychedelic-jazz-rock instrumental band but have evolved into their own thing. Plus they have two left handed drummers. Can't beat that. This is a good going to sleep song with a beautiful dream-like outro.

• "Earth Intruders" by Bjork

Picked this album up recently and haven't digested it yet. Got it mainly to hear one of my favorite drummers (Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt) in a different setting but it turned out to be very underwhelming. This song however is catchy as hell, with a fun insects marching type of drumbeat.

"The Creep Out" by The Dandy Warhols

Nice little jam of a song. Definitely belongs in a movie. These guys really nailed the psychedelic-meets-glam thing. Played for three hours with no opener when I saw them.

"Shadow Boxer" by Fiona Apple

Don't know too many Fiona songs but this is my favorite. Great lyrics, one of the best grooves I've ever heard. Love that bassy voice.

There ya have it!

Just so y'all know, I WILL be going back and commenting on all of these, but I'm falling asleep...keep watching!

The hardcore readers/commenters (of which I humbly consider myself one) know to keep a-watchin'!

Rob,

You've always got the most eclectic mix, I'll say that. Dogs barking as a melody line? I've always been tempted to try out Jon Spencer but never have. With your ringing endorsement of this album, I've made up my mind.

Chris,

"White Wedding" kicks ass. Also, wouldn't rate it an "A" but I pretty much agree with your Cloverfield review. What a sweet movie. Review coming soon.

Matt S,

I saw The Zombies and Love at Town Hall in NYC. It was great, if a little hippieish. Doesn't get much better than "Fall On Me." All I know is The Jam's singles too, but me likey. maybe I'll go a bit deeper. Took your Rockpile recommendation BTW, and very glad I did.

AJ,

Recently got that Traveling Wilburies reissue, and I'm digging it. It's more pleasant than mindblowing, yeah, but good stuff. I have no explanation or valid reason, but I hate Steve Miller Band. Always have. Just bought that Josh Ritter CD, eager to give it a spin. "Growing On Me" is genius, and that entire Darkness album is one of modern rock's finest, as far as I'm concerned. Bummer they broke up. Awesome lyrics. Also, you'll find "Surf Wax America" in my top 10 songs of all time, good sir.

Robin,

Glad my pain amuses you.

Nutsy,

James Taylor is a frequent commenter on this site, he'll appreciate that. Can't deal with Sting anymore, but love The Police. The Sundays' "Wild Horses" always makes ME think of Marky Mark fingerbanging Reese Witherspoon on a rollercoaster.

Bryan,

"Wind Up" is amazing, Costello can do no wrong, Neutral Milk Hotel glorious. I used to love that REM song, but now it hits me right at the spot where I'm on the verge of cringing. What were they thinking? I've been curious about trying more Loudon Wainwright, but haven't taken the plunge.

Denny,

It's like looking into the music collection of a black woman! I do love me some Prince and Andree 3000. Glad you're digging the new Radiohead, I'm a big fan myself.

James Taylor,

Here he is! Great list, never heard song #10, and I consider myself a 90's afficionado. Just looked for it on itunes and got nothing. Hmmmmm.

Lilly,

I didn't know anyone was interested! We can totally start doing it, does everyone watch it On Demand a week early or "live" on Sunday night? I'm totally caught up either way, and the latest episode blew my mind.

Jackson,

I liked that first Nellie McKay album, but it definitely suggested she was going to go insane at any moment.

Brown,

Books on tape? What are you, 90?

Ken,

Does everyone know Wolfman Jack from American Graffiti? I wonder how any other non-adults would be familiar with him...

Dennery,

Hey, the world needs dorks. I like that "Beautiful Girls" song, but have you heard his free itunes voting "anthem" I'm 18? It is AWFUL. Everyone loves "For the Longest Time," no shame. Alvin and the Chipmunks "Bad Day?" Much shame.

Topher,

Welcome aboard!

Another eclectic mix. I've never liked Bjork, but that Earth Intruders song is awesome. She's one of those I know I SHOULD enjoy, but just can't. Love that Fiona Apple, but don't want to be her boyfriend. YIKES.

Thanks to everyone, I LOVE reading these and you all go into such great detail. Hope everyone enjoys reading these as much as me.

I THINK I was introduced to Wolfman Jack with AMERICAN GRAFFITI (if not beforehand by my mother's insistence) but have come across him elsewhere since first seeing that; radio halls of fame, a tape of an episode of THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL I have (featuring Slim Whitman and Andy Kaufman), and even the Tammy Wynette song "I'd Like To See Jesus (On The Midnight Special)" from her never-released-on-CD 1978 album WOMANHOOD, where he gets a mention.