some of the songs I like:

(in no particular order)

Passenger Seat (Death Cab For Cutie)
A dark country road. Winter 2004 in Jackson, WY. (I was out at the Teton Science School teaching a journaling workshop for a group of high schoolers.) Driving into town on an off night, before the program started, to see a movie with the grad students/staff who lived and worked at TSS. I met this guy named Ryan who was studying elk. He’s also from STL. It was his car. I was riding in the passenger seat. A Death Cab For Cutie tape was playing in the tapedeck. One of my favorite places to be in the winter now has a new favorite soundtrack. I love DCFC’s writing. Very intelligent.

no, I’m Not Going Anywhere (anne davis)
First heard this one as I walked into an REI restroom on 22 September 2005. Memorized the lyrics & went shopping on iTunes when I got home. Didn’t end up buying anything at REI after all. Hadn’t even heard of this artist before. Coincidence that her first and only album so far is called letters, Prayers, and Journal Entries? Hmmm.

I Miss You (Blink-182)
There are a few versions of this song around, but the one I first heard, and definitely love the most, is the James Guthrie Mix, which is found on the MoveOn.org fundraiser album called The Future Soundtrack for America. I adore the hollow guitar at the beginning. The chorus is an exquisite example of all the contradictions hidden in the song:

“…don’t waste your time on me,
you’re already
the voice inside my head”

After all, how can you resist a Blink-182 song with romantic references to Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas?

Last Dance (Husky Rescue)
This band from Finland, which YES, I discovered because I was listening to NPR.. um, anyway, just keeps getting better and better. Most of their stuff is pretty chill, which is good for when I need to listen to music, but also need to actually get some writing (and consequently thinking) done. Plus, doesn’t everyone want to rescue a husky? Which is another lovely thing about this band. They are Finnish, but they write in English, which makes for some original word combinations.

Summer Skin (Death Cab For Cutie)
Could there possibly be a better way to end the summer? Hey d, thanks for handing me the newspaper review of this album (Plans) in the truck! I love it. Sorry you had to sit in the way back with the backpacks and the spare tire.