It Was Supposed to Be So Easy, The Streets / A Grand Don't Come for Free

Mike Skinner, this PS2 pothead from Britain, has made some of the more compelling hip-hop I've heard in a decade. It's smart, funny, and doesn't make me cringe, like most of the gangsta stuff out these days.

Walkie Talkie Man, Steriogram / Schmack

The lead singer for Back In Black, a local AC/DC cover band, confided to me in September that he wishes he could make more music like "Walkie Talkie Man." It's a simple song, but rocks ever so hard. He said his bandmates wouldn't like it much. A pity.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere, Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett / Alan Jackson: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2

There have been several times this year when I used this phrase as an excuse for imbibing during daylight hours. It doesn't make me a bad person. Nor does it make you a bad person. So there. Ppppppbttbtt.

Where Are We Runnin'?, Lenny Kravitz / Baptism

Yet another damned catchy tune from Lenny. He's getting a lot of endorsement deals now -- the Gap ads with horse-faced Sarah Jessica Parker come to mind. I guess dreadlocks are back in.

Rebel Never Gets Old, David Bowie / Rebel Never Gets Old (Radio Mix) - Single

As cool as Reality was as an album, the mash-up of "Never Get Old" and "Rebel Rebel" rules my planet. I've used this track to prove to cretins that David Bowie is still viable as a current artist.

Up to the Roof, Blue Man Group / The Complex

Tracy Bonham is one of those vocallists that I pray has a breakout hit, so more people will be exposed to her genius. Blue Man Group is all over the place with their Intel ads, but their music is still amazing.

Big Machine, Velvet Revolver / Contraband

This album has several songs that would have been comfortable on either a Guns N' Roses album, or a Stone Temple Pilots disc. "Big Machine" doesn't belong on either, and that's why it's a great song in its own right.

Fly or Die, N.E.R.D. / Fly or Die

While most music is something I can define into some sort of category, N.E.R.D. isn't one of those bands. It's just good music. Funk rock doesn't do it justice.

80's Metal, Patton Oswalt / Feelin' Kinda Patton

Sqibbly flabbity doo! When I need a pick-me-up, listening to this track or "Steak" from Patton's stand-up routine will most likely bust me out of any funk.

Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Ben Folds / Super D - EP

Only Ben Folds can get away with doing a cover of a Darkness song. It makes the cock/prog rock of the Brit bad teeth crew even more delicious.

Triple Trouble, Beastie Boys / To the 5 Boroughs

The song is just as good as any other on their new album, but the Sugarhill Gang sample underneath sells it completely. Word.

City of Blinding Lights, U2 / How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

"Vertigo" changed from being a bitchin' lead single to a commercial jingle extended mix. I have no problem with that -- I just wanted to make the distinction. "City of Blinding Lights" is my favorite song on the new album, and the one that I chose for Richard Hunter and his new wife for the closing credits on their wedding video.

Extraordinary, Liz Phair / Liz Phair

No one makes insecurity sounds nearly as sexy as Liz Phair. No one makes anything sound as sexy as Liz Phair does. She could sing the legalese from this compilation and it would make my pants go crazy.

I Don't Think We've Met, Nikka Costa / I Don't Think We've Met - Single

Nikka continues to sound like the female version of Prince. This is a very good thing.

Ways to Be Wicked, Lone Justice / 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lone Justice

I think of this song specifically when a couple of relationships I had in 2004 pop into my head. Not necessarily a good thing, but c'est la vie.

Mary, Scissor Sisters / Scissor Sisters

One of my musical finds of the year, and the one I keep coming back to again and again. Their big-league debut album runs all over the map, but this track always fills me with something I can't describe any other way than longing.

Let's Get Retarded, Black Eyed Peas / Elephunk

When the NBA used this track to promote their 2004 playoffs, I had to laugh a little. Changing the song to "Let's Get It Started" was just fine -- it brought the Peas to a whole new audience. But getting retarded should be something that everyone can relate to. Otherwise, you're retarded all the time.

Don't Fight It, Kenny Loggins & Steve Perry / High Adventure

I bought this song on a whim after a discussion of Kenny Loggins' work with a couple of Rawlings co-workers. Kenny's always been a guilty musical pleasure of mine -- he's a lot more than "Danger Zone" and "Footloose." At least, he was to me.

I Can't Get Behind That, William Shatner & Henry Rollins / Has Been

I bought this album for kitsch value only, but I'll be damned if it's not one of the best spoken word albums I've ever heard. Ben Folds produced the affair, and everyone with a Cool Factor of 3.5 or higher appeared on the sidelines -- Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, and Peg's future husband Henry Rollins.

Rockin' In the Free World (Fahrenheit 9/11 Mix), Neil Young / Fahrenheit 9/11 Mix

I wish we weren't fooled again, but fifty-five percent of the voters were in November. It will be an interesting four years, but not in the way I was hoping.