Saturday - Christie Front Drive
When I went to NIU, I got into emo music because of some friends I had there. I went and saw Braid and the Get Up Kids in front of about 100 people and there was a guy selling CDs. My friend told me that Christie Front Drive was the most important emo CD to get, so I did and it did not disappoint. This is the first track off of their only album.
Roygbiv - Boards of Canada
I have Mattbot to thank for Boards of Canada. I saw the CD security sticker on the back desk at the HD and asked about it. He let me have a listen and I was hooked. This is a particular favorite off of Music Has the Right to Children.
Mayonaise [Acoustic] - The Smashing Pumpkins
Anyone who knows me knows that the Pumpkins are my favorite band, so there had to be a song by them on here. I decided to go with the rare acoustic version of Mayonaise off of the Earphoria CD, the "soundtrack" to the Viewphoria video. I only stuck one Pumpkins song on here, but as you will see, there is still plenty of Pumpkins influence on the CD.
Offcell - Pinback
Another Mattbot influenced pick, this is the title track off of the Offcell EP. Pinback is a unique mellow indie band that I have really grown to enjoy. This is a great example of their style, I definately recommend the Offcell EP as an inexpensive way to experience more by this band.
Eyen - Plaid
I have Iverson to thank for Plaid, similar in style to Board of Canada, but definately different. An odd story about this song, during my last semester at the University I listed to this song as loud as I could on my iPod before every single exam to help calm me down and drown out the noise of everyone else in the room. It helped me out quite a bit, I would like to think. Or not, who knows.
One More Robot (Sympathy 3000-21) - The Flaming Lips
A song about a robot getting emotion off an album named Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Come on, of course this has to go on my CD.
Mastermind - Deltron 3030
Along those same lines of things that just make sense to be on a CD from me, a song off of a science fiction rap album. This CD is of the highest quality and actually is available in an instrumental form as well.
The Golden People - Marumari
I saw Marumari with Scott and Heather after a drunken night at Joe's in which I had too much to drink. Scott and Heather were going to see Cex (A white rapper who specializes in freestyling, and is very good at it) and it happened to be that Marumari was opening for him. Since most of the crowd was there for Cex, Marumari (A guy with an iBook) didn't garner much attention. I really enjoyed his set though, borrowed some money from Scott and got this CD.
Juke Joint Jezebel - KMFDM
For those of you unfamiliar with KMFDM, they are a German industrial band who have been around forever. This is a fairly standard song from them, but also their most popular. If you have heard this song, you have heard much of what KMFDM has to offer. If you like it, you can pick up pretty much anything else by them and you will like it.
Terrible Lie - Nine Inch Nails
Off of Pretty Hate Machine, this was the first Nine Inch Nails song that I could really get into. It opened the door to much industrial music during the late high school, early college years.
Passenger - Deftones
Bottom line is, Deftones were the best hard band that came out of the Korn/Limp Bizkit era. They have staying power because they also have talent. White Pony is one of the most underrated albums in the last 10 years, and this song is probably the best on the CD.
The Chandelier Swing - Braid
I saw Braid twice in the Winter of 97/98, and I am very happy I had the chance to. They were touring for Age of Octeen, an emo CD that is high quality, but too abrasive for most. This is the best example of their work on the CD and also the most approachable for most people.
Don't Hate Me - The Get Up Kids
After what the Get Up Kids have become, I felt a little embarrased putting them on the CD. However I bought this CD from the lead singers hand in 98, so I don't feel too bad because I was so there before they were popular. In any case, for some reason this song hits me in a way most songs can't, so it goes on.
Declarations of Faith - Zwan
Told you that I would have more Pumpkins influenced sort of stuff. Zwan's album rocks, that is all that needs to be said. Get the CD, turn it up loud and listen to an album that just rocks for 70 minutes. I would try to use another work to describe the CD, but rocks is the only one that comes to mind.
Bootylicious Vinyl - Zebrahead
The single greatest live performance I have ever seen is Zebrahead. The lead singer was in a leg cast and he moved around more than most guys do with two good legs on stage. They had so much energy, it just fed the crowd and everyone had a blast. The whole Waste of Mind CD is the same stuff, 45 minutes of fun.
The Summer in Between - God's Reflex
At NIU, I was buddies with the lead singer of God's Reflex, an extremely talented musician named Zach. This is the best song on the A Brief Lesson in Affection album. The vocals help carry this powerful song through the wonderful music.
Beauty - James Iha
Guitarist from the Smashing Pumpkins, James Iha put out a solo album between Mellon Collie and Adore. This CD goes a different route with some slow, almost easy listening rock. He has soft voice that matches his guitar work throughout the album.
Everlong - Foo Fighters
The last song on the CD is also probably the most popular. I have been a Foo Fighters fan from the beginning and this is the best song, in my opinion, they ever did off of The Colour and The Shape. Also, the video rocks with the giant phone and hand across the face.
There you have it, that is my CD, I hope everyone who has a copy enjoys at least some of it.