How'd This Get on My iPod?

Given that I'm a bit of a music geek, I'll fully admit there was a time when I really, truly believed I'd never get onboard with the whole iPod craze.

I mean, it's only proper etiquette to listen to an artist's entire album from start to finish since he/she gave so much thought to the sequencing, right? And album art—I mean album art, how can I fully appreciate that when it's only the size of my thumb nail? Or liner notes for that matter? After all, when Bono thanks Billie Joe from Green Day, I want to know about it...

Well, like almost everyone else on the planet, I eventually surrendered my musical purist ideals and hopped on the digital download bandwagon. And I must confess that I rather like it. It's like a radio station with no bad songs (and trust me, those are in very short supply here in St. Paul).

Unless I totally lose my marbles and change my mind about their level of musical prowess, I will never have to listen to Nickelback, Rob Thomas, Uncle Kracker, Lady Gaga or Creed in the comfort of my own home again (quelle relief)

Plus, when something is this cute and hot pink to boot, you can't help but love it, right?

For the record, that doesn't mean that I still don't listen to my CDs all the way through from time to time. I mean some albums like Josh Rouse's Nashville, Nick Drake's Pink Moon or Radiohead's Ok Computer simply must be enjoyed, even savored in one continuous, track-by-track listen. My copy of No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom on the other hand? Well, not so much.

As I was listening to my music collection on "shuffle" today, it got me thinking...what exactly was my thought process behind allowing these particular songs to take up my coveted iPod space? So with no further adieu, here's the last 10 that showed up and why I allowed them into my personal music fold...

"In My Atmosphere" by John Mayer—This is off his fantastic live CD, Where the Light Is...Live in L.A. I'm never quite sure why this never made it on one of his actual albums, (maybe because it's way longer than the standard three and a half minutes), but for whatever reason, I'm glad it's here. It's Mayer the way I like him—wielding an acoustic guitar and lamenting long, lost love (yes, complete with falsetto to seal the deal).

"Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne—Why this gem of a song is used in lame commercials these days seriously gets under my skin (yes, I know the motivation is financial, but c'mon this is a great song). But ever since I heard Mr. LaMontagne's gravelly, sad voice I've been a fan. And this one is consistently in my "Most Played" song list.

"Run" by Snow Patrol—I'm a sucker for Euro rock bands that rock softly, what can I say?

"Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own" by U2—Apparently, Bono wrote this song about his dad, and I can't help but think about my own whenever I hear it. If I was an actress and needed to cry on cue, I'd just have the director play this song in the background, and I'd be set.

"One and Only" by Teitur—I first heard Teitur when he opened for John Mayer in Champaign, Ill., and it was one of those rare occasions where I immediately bought the CD afterward. Yes, I liked the sound that much. And while I haven't really connected with much he's done since his debut, I'm always happy when one of his old songs comes up in the mix.

"December" by Norah Jones—After her first couple of albums heard 'round the world, I thought I was completely over Ms. Jones. It's not that I didn't like her sweet, soothing vocals, it's just that I was bored by the sheer mellowness of it all. Or lulled to sleep is really more like it. But with The Fall, Norah got her musical mojo back, and I'm loving every minute of it, thanks to great songs like "December."

"Shiver" by Coldplay—For me, Coldplay's major-label debut, Parachutes is still the perfect rainy day soundtrack, and "Shiver" although not one of the Brits' big singles, is easily one of my favorites. Anyone who's ever been through heartbreak can't help but resonate with every pained word Chris Martin is singing, and if you're not currently in that frail state of mind, you're sure thankful you aren't.

"Relator" by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson—I normally don't like it when actors think they can sing too, but this song is so darn catchy and cute that I don't even care.

"Meant to Live" by Switchfoot—Yep, this is the song that officially propelled Switchfoot to the big time. And it actually didn't love any lyrical or musical integrity in the process...me loves.

"Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon—In my quest to figure out all the Kings of Leon hype, I downloaded this. Yeah, I'm thinking I'm going delete it sometime soon 'cause I don't get it. Anyone care to enlighten me?

Comments

[Butterflies]

You have a fun blog and, ahh, I love this ipod shuffle project! I feel inspired...

I don't understand Sex on Fire, but not gonna lie, Kings of Leon would be a pretty good band if they weren't so overplayed on pop radio.

Anyway, how do you feel about The Current? And what other stations do you recommend in MSP...? (I don't live there but visit a lot!)

[Christa]

Awwwh thanks soooo much, Butterflies. Your blog is very fun, too!! I'm a fan. As for radio stations in MSP, Cities 97 is about all I can handle. But even though play some doozies like Nickelback, Rob Thomas and the like...

As for The Current, not bad, not bad. Especially when they're doing the acoustic hour of music on Sunday mornings.

[Amy]

I don't get the Kings of Leon...at all.

Other than that, I'm pleasantly surprised by our solidarity in musical tastes, especially in the NO DOUBT // Tragic Kingdom category. Therefore, whenever you find a band you love, you must tell me because chances are, I'll love 'em, too. Deal?

[Christa]

Deal. Promise. :)

[Butterflies]

Ooh, thank you for being a fan! :) And I have to agree on Cities 97. It's generally good but I get frustrated and switch away as soon as I hear any of those bad ones. I think The Current is hit or miss - some really great and unusual songs, but some that I just can't tolerate.

[ipod earbuds]

This is a very informative blog. Will keep visiting. Keep up the good work.