I found my old leather case that holds dozens of CD’s close to my heart. Well, let’s say 13-year-old version of me would be devastated if something ever happened to this leather case. These are songs I grew up on…all the way up until whenever I got an iPod. I never even saved them to my computer. Yikes! I keep them in my car just in case all other modes of entertainment fail. I cleaned out my trunk today and BAM I saw my leather case of CD’s. So here are the first five discs I pulled out and what I recall about them:

 1. Album: Revolver Artist: The Beatles

I lucked out on grabbing a “cool” album from the bunch. My friend, Julie, burned this for me when I was 16. We went through a Beatles kick. I had never really listened to them before. I experienced this intense head-over-heels falling in love moment with the Beatles, just like I imagine my mom did in the 60′s. My European History teacher Mr. Glassman taught a unit all about them and I fell in love.

Song to listen to: Eleanor Rigby

2. Album: ?? Artist: The Weepies

I LOVE finding CD’s that have no writing on them. I pop it in my trusty Mac. All the songs are labeled “track 1…track 2…track 3…” OOOooooOoohh! The mystery! Come to find out – it’s The Weepies. My friend, Katie, burned this for me my freshman year of college. I’ve been in love with the folksy, upbeat, good country-living songs of this husband-wife duo. Turns out they live in Topanga. Not surprised.

Song to listen to: Jolene

“I only think about you when it’s raining or it’s not.”

3. Album: Celebrity Artist: N’Sync

What 13 year-old American girl DIDN’T love boy bands? Okay. Not all of us, but most certainly me. I won this album from a contest on a local radio station. This was back in the day when you had to actually wait for a CD to come out in a store, run to the store after school and throw your allowance out the window. So I got THIS album the day BEFORE all my friends. I felt SO COOL. The music video for Pop is still awesome…but mostly for nostalgia, cheesy graphics and cheesier dancing. P.S. I still have a mad crush on JT.

Song to listen to: Pop

4. Album: Love 2 Artist: Air

So to be honest, I’ve never listened to this album. My friend, John, burned it for me a couple years back. He was going through an “Air” kick. They’re kinda ambient, transcendental, electronic…and French. They’re great tunes to listen to when driving through the forest. I have a feeling that if you were going to get abducted by aliens, really chill aliens, they would play Air. I’m listening to this album for the first time, now.

Song to listen to: African Velvet

5. Album: The Reason Artist: Hoobastank

Hoobastank…stinks like stank. It’s just entirely too emo for me. I bought this “rock” album solely because my friend, Alex, and I loved the hit single, “The Reason.” I’m pretty sure there’s video out there of 14-year-old us dancing and belting out loud the lyrics. The drummer grew up in Arcata, my hometown. There’s a plaque for him at the local middle school. Tee-hee. Wonder if it’s still up considering they’re not doing much anymore?

Song to listen to (obviously): The Reason

Okay…now it’s your turn. And don’t cheat. I really wanted to cheat and “re-pick” a new CD for this list of randomness. Report back!