give me a cd mix for christmas with some truly fantastic music that i haven’t stopped listening to since i opened the case. here is the breakdown of my favorites:

• like U crazy - mates of state. the husband wife duo have more chemistry than ginger and fred and their lyrics are like a wonderful dance through a smoke-filled bar. with piano and drums being their primary instruments it’s easy to get lost in the melodies. it’s simple and altruistic. and one day someone will tell me “i like you crazy” and i’ll melt into their arms. right after i pop a zoloft.
• ragoo - kings of leon. many people don’t know this but i will tell you innernets, because you’re my best friend: i hated kings of leon when i first heard their song “molly’s chambers”. it sounded like steven tyler spent too much time in hunting camp in georgia. in fact, when i went to see one of my favorite bands from nashville, the features, kings of leon were playing with them and made a point to high-tail it out of the bar. but “ragoo” is superb. it hits me in the heart with their line “here’s to the kids out there smoking in the streets/they’re way too young but I’m way too old to preach”. an anthem to knowing it all and not knowing enough.
• carnavas - silversun pickups. word to the wise, don’t read user reviews on itunes. the majority of the comments included comparison to the smashing pumpkins in their gish year. i don’t see it. what i do hear is a song that you want to drive to. drive all the way portland, oregon and start a dive bar. and then it opens up. the song, not the dive bar. the song doesn’t even crescendo, it just explodes. right into your ears and the next thing you know you’re smiling and you’re crossing the idaho/oregon state line.

those are my favorites. there are others that i have listened to incessantly, but not as much as these. i couldn’t have received this cd at a better time too. you could go and download these songs if you were so inclined but i would suggest in going the route i did: have darcia la rosa as your friend.

love you d. you’ve made 2008 a great start.