Albums -- A: Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix Experience

Song: "Manic Depression"

Jimi Hendrix:   Web site

DJ comments: I was in eighth grade, nose buried in a "greatest albums of all-time" list (back before the Internet and the ubiquitous influence of lists on music writing), and discovering that all those big records in my dad's collection are actually kinda cool. This album was something like #5 or #6. "Purple Haze" was kinda cool, but "Manic Depression" had me hooked. — cwc

Albums -- B: Beauty and the Beat, the Go-Go's

Song: "How Much More"

The Go-Go's:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: A perfect pop song. Don't dismiss this band as just the "We Got the Beat" girls. — cwc

Albums -- C: Coast to Coast Motel, G. Love and Special Sauce

Song: "Sweet Sugar Mama"

G. Love:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Wonder if G. Love will ever reschedule that show from back in January? Until then, no video. — cwc

Albums -- D: Dig Your Own Hole, The Chemical Brothers

Song: "Setting Sun"

Chemical Brothers:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is about the only way I listen to either of the brothers Gallagher from Oasis these days. — cwc

Albums -- E: Eight Arms to Hold You, Veruca Salt

Song: "Volcano Girls"

Veruca Salt:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I nearly played ANOTHER Jolie Holland song, but decided to go back to that wonderful 90's girl Alt-rock band, Veruca Salt. Taking their name from the spoiled bitch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character, Veruca Salt released their best selling album Eight Arms to Hold You in 1997.

Be sure to check out the video if you like EXPLOSIVE GIRL ROCKAGE! — BJ

Albums -- F: Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

Song: "White Winter Hymnal"

Fleet Foxes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: All hail Sub Pop Records. — BJ

Be sure to watch the video.

Albums -- G: Gulag Orkestar, Beirut

Song: "Postcards From Italy"

Beirut:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: My favorite "G" album of all time -- it's incredible from start to finish. I guess that's why I've served a ladle-full of Beirut instead of a spoonful. — BJ

Albums -- H: Hello Love, The Be Good Tanyas

Song: "Opal"

The Be Good Tanyas:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Jolie Holland's old band with a couple other ladies. They have since lost my favorite leading lady, but continue on with a few new members, including one dude. Maybe they should change their names to the Be Good Tanyas... and Tom. — BJ

Old Be Good Tanyas, "The Littlest Birds"

Albums -- I: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Public Enemy

Song: "Prophets of Rage"

Public Enemy:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I am quite hostile. — cwc

Albums -- J: The Joshua Tree, U2

Song: "Bullet the Blue Sky"

U2:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: So yeah, I get this album, and the first three tracks are the dynamite singles ("Where the Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "With or Without You"). And then THIS song comes on (followed by the polar opposite "Running to Stand Still"). Whoa. Anyone who argues that "Achtung Baby" is U2's best album (including you, Chuck Klosterman) needs to recognize... — cwc

Albums -- K: Kids soundtrack, various artists

Song: "Spoiled," Sebadoh

Sebadoh:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I've always been more of a Folk Implosion fan when it comes to Lou Barlow, but this Sebadoh song really stands out among myriad FI songs on the Kids soundtrack. That's a soundtrack you should own, and Sebadoh's III is fantastic too. — cwc

"Spoiled" bookends the trailer below.

Albums -- L: Loveless, My Bloody Valentine

Song: "Soon"

My Bloody Valentine:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments:These guys are reunited and playing in Chicago this weekend. And what will I be doing this weekend? Hosting a couples night with my wife's friends. I SUCK — cwc

Albums -- M: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, Sigur Rós

Song: "Gobbledigook"

Sigur Rós:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: What an album title! This is the newest Sigur Ros album (their fifth, which was released this June. That crazy title means "With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly."

If you get tired of listening to the band sing in some language you don't understand, you should check out track 11. "All Alright" is their first album song sung in English. — BJ

Apparently this video has adult content (I'm assuming some man ham), so you'll have to settle for the making the video for this song. If you're super eager, go to http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DpuC0UeWLjM8.

Albums -- N: Naturally, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Song: "You're Gonna Get It"

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Sing it, sister! — BJ

Albums -- O: Odessey and Oracle, The Zombies

Song: "A Rose For Emily"

The Zombies:   Wikipedia

DJ comments: The Zombies were one of those British bands unable to achieve well-deserved fame because of the immense popularity of The Beatles and other well-known popsters. They really weren't highly regarded until after they disbanded.

Odessey and Oracle (1968) is by far their most famous album (Rolling Stone has it ranked as 80 of the 500 all-time best albums). After one listen, you won't wonder why. Check it out if you don't already own this spectacular 12-song piece. — BJ

Albums -- P: The Photo Album, Death Cab For Cutie

Song: "We Laugh Indoors"

Death Cab For Cutie:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I had a really hard time deciding between Alela Diane's Pirate's Gospel, Nick Drake's Pink Moon and this Death Cab album. Since music is so strongly associated with my memories, I decided to go with the one that's produced the most responses in my temporal lobe. — BJ

Albums -- Q: The Queen Is Dead, The Smiths

Song: "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out"

Smiths:   Smiths' fan site

DJ comments: This song should have been used in one of the '80s "Brat Pack" movies, perhaps "St. Elmo's Fire" or something. — cwc

Albums -- R: Revolver, The Beatles

Song: "Tomorrow Never Knows"

Beatles:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: From "Revolver," the fourth-best album of all time (behind the Cure's "Disintegration"; today's L entry, My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless"; and the Velvet Underground's first record, I give you "Tomorrow Never Knows." When you hear the opening line of this song, the transition into the next song, the PIxies' "Where Is My Mind," is nothing short of brilliant (just ask me). — cwc

Albums -- S: Surfer Rosa, Pixies

Song: "Where Is My Mind"

Pixies:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I almost double-dipped on Kim Deal. I'll have to save some old-school Breeders for another show. — cwc

Albums -- T: Three Feet High and Rising, De La Soul

Song: "Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)"

De La Soul:   MySpace

DJ comments: How the first two De La Soul albums ("De La Soul Is Dead" being the second) aren't more universally loved blows my mind. Then again, I'd probably get all possessive about it if they were more popular. But still, listen to this song. — cwc

Albums -- U: The Ugly Organ, Cursive

Song: "Some Red Handed Sleight of Hand"

Cursive:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Haven't heard this one from the Omaha-based band in a while. — BJ

Albums -- V: Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend

Song: "Mansford Roof"

Vampire Weekend:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Here you are, Freshmen. Just in case your local townie radio stations weren't up to heads on Vampire Weekend, this was a huge one last year.

Chris and I have often discussed how hilarious it was to watch the hipster following on this album. At first, EVERYONE loved it -- "Best album of the year!" Then a week or two later, it's popularity just sank -- "So not cool anymore!" Make up your damn mind, tight-jean-wearing-Onion-reading-Picador-dance-night-attending wannabe! — BJ

Albums -- W: Weather Systems, Andrew Bird

Song: "I"

Andrew Bird:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: The man is a true product of the University of Iowa (his parents met here, as stated in previous entries). Everything you hear on an album is played by Bird. He is simply one of the most talented musicians on the market right now. — BJ

Albums -- X: XO, Elliott Smith

Song: "Bled White"

DJ comments: Yes, Chris played a song from this album last week. I just wanted to show how truly great it is by repeating the same album.

X is a hard letter! — BJ

Albums -- Y: You Forgot It In People, Broken Social Scene

Song: "Lover's Spit"

Broken Social Scene:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: By far the best Broken Social Scene album. I've probably listened to this one more than any other disc/vinyl/file I have or will ever own. Buy it now if you don't own it. — BJ