I’ve had this idea for awhile and last night sealed it for me: my Ipod is awesome…or I am. I’d like to think this reflects on my good taste, but let’s give it up for my Ipod for selecting such great songs shall we?  This was done while I was working. I just hit shuffle and let me vast music library offer up its bounty. Nothing has been omitted.

$20 – MIA

I guess it’s a cover of sorts of one of my favorite Pixies songs? Doesn’t matter, it’s a stellar track and bodes well for the selection tonight.

2:1 – Elastica

O.k. maybe not. Probably not Elastica’s best considering it’s kind of a downer and I could play the guitar solo, but it’s nostalgia factor was worth it.

Hard Luck Kid – Street Dogs

Ah, there we go: Great track with, as usual, a fantastic chorus.

Sentimental Johnny – Flogging Molly

Complete and total rip off of the Pogues “Fiesta” which I’m sure is a nod to the legendary band. Goes on a little too long, but probably not bad to play if you’re four margaritas deep.

I’m a Carpenter (part 1) – David Robinson

Got this from a funk comp I bought in Ireland. And no, not a Carpenter like the musicians, but like a love carpenter. As in “let me work on your building.” Put this on after your fifth margarita.

Caterpillar March – Kyuss

Older Kyuss that sonically isn’t quite there yet, but still packs a southern California, Sabbath infused punch.

Africa – John Coltrane

It starts out mellow enough but this nearly 17 minute song gets cooking rather quickly. The drummer and the bass player have a secret pact and Coltrane has his way with his sax throughout. Epitomizes 60’s jazz and what I hear when I think of Coltrane.

You Don’t Know What Love Is (you just do as you’re told) – The White Stripes

Nice, tidy slow rocker from these guys and a great palate cleanser after the meal that was Coltrane.

Is This Love – Bob Marley and the Wailers

Maybe the one misfire in the whole bunch. Even so, for a pop reggae song, it’s still better than anything that has been written in the last 30 years since it was released. And it’s on Kaya which is a great album, so all you reggae officiandos can bite me.

Tumbling Dice – Rolling Stones

Back on track with the Stones. Classic song that everyone knows, but jesus it’s good.

Church For Thugs – The Game

I don’t have too much time to weigh in on which rapper is fighting with his contemporaries, but this album was my soundtrack for a whole summer while I mowed the lawn. THUG LIFE!

On the Banks of the Old Pontchartrain – Hank Williams

The Game and Hank Williams would have probably done a duet if Hank was alive today.

Superhumans – The Flaming Lips

Older Flaming Lips track that hints at some of their more grandiose moments yet to come.

Jump Around (Pete Rock Remix) – House of Pain

Great remix of this song with an extra rap by someone who isn’t in House of Pain. Don’t laugh, if you’re drunk in a bar and this comes on, you’re bouncing, even a small bit, on your barstool.

Swan Swan H – REM

Beautiful REM song way before they were rich enough to let their pretentiousness get the best of them.

Something About You – Boston

Love this album. Definitely remember it from when I was a kid, but I found a new respect for it many years later. Stellar 70’s power pop.

Nude as the News – Cat Power

Noisy, yet pretty Cat Power song that somehow name checks Jesse Jackson. Great stuff, long before she was rich and sober enough to let her weirdness get the best of her.

The Wrong Coat For You Mt. Heart Attack – Liars

Wildly underrated? I don’t know if that’s accurate, but it is great and certainly far better than anything Radiohead has put out in the last couple of years.

Things Behind the Sun – Nick Drake

Well shit. I’m wrapping up work at this point and Nick seems to bringing the ship back into port. Foggy days, big sweaters and the promise of warming yourself by the fire.

Microphone Fiend – Eric B and Rakim

It’s hip hop remix night. Although this doesn’t say it is one, this isn’t the original version of the song. Regardless, not only a hip hop classic but one of the better songs of the 80’s in general.

Helicopter (Whitey Version) – Bloc Party

Am I the whitey this was meant for? Rounding out remix night is a decent version of this song. There are better remixes out there but this one hits the right buttons when it counts.

Letter Never Sent – REM

Another REM gem. This one got me through a lot of low points in high school. Or did it cause them? I don’t know but this song is great. Wait. Should I risk one more?

King Tubby – Unknown track

It’s unknown because I paused the Ipod when this song was on and when I plugged it in to check the songs, this one didn’t show up. But I included it as a way to combat that horrendous BMW song from before. I knew you could do it Ipod.

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