main about mixtapes cd collection 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003		rotation I have a CD case that holds 24 CDs, which I usually reload on Sunday nights in preparation for the work week. Here's what's in there now, in order: Title Artist Comments The Lonesome Crowded West Modest Mouse Until some other band takes their spot as my favorite, this first slot will always be reserved for some Modest Mouse title or another. Michigan Outtakes Sufjan Stevens This is a collection of six songs that were left out of Sufjan's most recent record and posted on his web site for fans to download. I haven't heard that actual record yet, but it's got to be good if these were the songs that were left out. I really like this a lot. Poses Rufus Wainwright The only thing I'd heard from him before this was the song that he contributed to the Shrek soundtrack, but when I saw this on sale for $9, I figured it was worth a try. Well worth it——I love this record. Loveless My Bloody Valentine Everyone keeps saying this is one of the best albums of the past 15 years, but I don't really know it that well; I found it used and I haven't spent that much time with it. So this is the week of MBV. Unless I'm not in the mood. Only Life The Feelies I wish more bands would try this hard to emulate the Velvet Underground. Her Majesty the Decemberists The Decemberists It's hard to describe this group——they've owe a lot to Belle & Sebastian, Arab Strap, and the Glasgow scene that produced those bands, but with a weird 19th century twist. I know that doesn't make any sense, but there you have it. Great record. Give Up The Postal Service A collaboration between Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard and an electronica guy. Better than it sounds. Unless you think that sounds pretty good. In which case you're right. Pod The Breeders It didn't seem like it at the time, but in retrospect, Kim Deal definitely won the battle of the Pixies solo projects. So Much for the City The Thrills I've been waiting to get ahold of this for months after the domestic release was delayed for unknown reasons. Pretty good——like an Irish Beulah, but not as good as Beulah. Dig Me Out Sleater-Kinney Whenever I've felt like listening to Sleater-Kinney recently, I've reached for the criminally underrated The Hot Rock. But this album is a classic, and it's about time it graced my playlist again. XO Elliott Smith Got this one used a while back and never really listened to it, but I've been really obsessed with Elliot Smith's Figure 8 since his suicide, and I think it's time I give this one a chance. Castaways and Cutouts The Decemberists I liked their most recent record so much that I had to pick up this disc, their debut. Yoko Beulah I've been waiting for this record for a long time, and though it has it's moments, it's not as good as their last one. You should still buy it, though. Cure for Pain Morphine This is replacing last week's Like Swimming. This record is nearly flawless, and even the flaws are good. Chutes Too Narrow The Shins Mmmm...new Shins. The Creek Drank the Cradle Iron and Wine Really a single guy, recording spare, haunting songs in the style of Will Oldham, I picked this up in lieu of the new Sufjan Stevenson, which wasn't in stock. Dear Catastrophe Waitress Belle & Sebastian This is a hard record to figure out. It's mostly different than anything this group has done before, very upbeat and poppy, but when it works, it works very well. The Top The Cure I've been really getting into the Cure again recently. I'd forgotten how many good songs were one this album. Trompe Le Monde The Pixies I know this is supposed to be the sound of a band breaking up, but it's a pretty good record. "Palace of the Brine/Letter to Memphis" is still one of my favorite Pixies pieces ever. Letting Off the Happiness Bright Eyes I haven't had a Bright Eyes in the rotation for a while, and listening to this again, I can't figure out why. They are probably my second favorite band these days after Modest Mouse. Welcome to the Beautiful South The Beautiful South When the Housemartins split, they divided into Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, and the Beautiful South, who carried on in the same vein of the Housemartins for two or three great albums before losing their edge. Ancient Melodies of the Future Built to Spill I don't know why I picked this out. I mean, I like it, but I don't really think it's going to fit my mood this week. But I've been pining to hear "The Weather", and even though it's loaded into iTunes, there's something about not having it in the rotation that makes me always want to hear it in the car. Room on Fire The Stokes I wish these guys could crank out records a little faster. After two years and only two albums, we have just over an hour of material from them. But it's a pretty brilliant hour. Fever to Tell Yeah Yeah Yeahs Look, I'm as sick as the next guy about all the overhyped retro rock bands coming out of New York, but every now and then one of them really deserves the hype. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' debut isn't as brilliant as the Strokes, but it's certainly worthy of the praise that's being heaped on it.