Today's Playlist

"Looking for a Way Out," Uncle Tupelo: I've been in a alt-country mood for a couple of days now. But my Wilco station on Pandora wasn't working for me. So I thought if I go back one step, maybe that would get better results. We'll see.

"Good Things," Sebadoh: No, Pandora, this isn't what I wanted.

"Served Lips," Dinosaur Jr.: Still not what I wanted, but maybe what I need.

Gold, Ryan Adams: I gave up on Pandora. Ryan Adams will do.

Tip: Think Different about Your Playlist

Getting tired of listening to your carefully crafted playlists? Is the random setting too much for you too cope with? Try this.

Sort your library by song name instead of artist or album. Select a letter and click play. A station I used to listen to in San Francisco would do an A to Z week every once in a while. This is like that. You'll discover songs that you'd forgotten, and the juxtaposition of artists creates fun segues like Ryan Adams' "(Argument With Rawlings Concerning Morrissey)" serving as an intro for REM's "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville."

Today's Playlist

Mood: Struggling

In the Aeroplane over the Sea, Neutral Milk Hotel: Reminds me at times of the Mountain Goats, but they offer more instrumental variety.

Come Away with Me, Norah Jones: Well, half of it anyway. I'm hearing to many flaws in Norah's songs today. I should stop before I say something I can't take back.

"Let's Cool One," Thelonius Monk

"Seven Nation Army," The White Stripes

"Baba O'Riley," The Who

"From the Ritz to the Rubble," Arctic Monkeys: Ahh, I've finally found something that I can get into today. This band seems to be worthy of the buzz surrounding it. I'm about to go on an Artic Monkeys run ...

"Space Invaders," Arctic Monkeys

"Fake Tales of San Francisco," Arctic Monkeys

"Mardy Bum," Arctic Monkeys