Coldcut's "Return To Margin"
This reggae-infused cut-n-beatfest is a great introduction to "electro-jazz". Like a lot of electronic music, it overstays its welcome by a few minutes, but until that point it's outstanding. (from Let Us Play!)

Santana's "Every Step of The Way" (live)
Before he sold his soul for duets with middle-of-the-road pop singers, Carlos Santana's guitar work was amazing, and nowhere is his talent better displayed than on this 1972 live album. Recorded in Osaka, it presents the band in top form, in all their psychedelic glory. (from Lotus)

Guns 'N' Roses' "November Rain"
Axl, where's Chinese Democracy? We'd all like to bleed the record labels for millions, but until you leak your album to a file-sharing service, none of us will get the proper chance. (from Use Your Illusion I)

Wilco's "Outtasite (Outta Mind)"
My iPod loves me and I love this song. (from Being There)

Bring Back The Guns' "The Family Name"
Probably Houston's finest underground act, BBTG are an indie rock cross between Fugazi and Gang Of Four. (from the I Hate It Here, I Never Want To Leave compilation)

The Darkness's "Get Your Hands Off My Woman"
Pretty much the only song I ever listened to from Permission to Land, so it's an appropriate choice. Are iPods psychic?

The Flaming Lips' "The Spiderbite Song"
Wayne Coyne's voice is dreamy in that whiny, soulful way he has, but it's the drums that really make this song work. (from The Soft Bulletin)

The Dandy Warhols' "Genius"
They're probably not referring to Anton Newcombe. Not the best choice, but there are far worse Dandys songs. (from Dandys Rule OK)

Pink Floyd's "Candy And A Currant Bun"
Syd Barrett and company's early songs are far removed from the stadium-sized psychedelia the Syd-less Floyd created in the seventies and eighties. This is one of the better ones, although they're all worth a listen. (from The Pink Floyd Early Singles)

Guns 'N' Roses' "Nighttrain"
Hmmm... my iPod's growing a mullet. I like the song; it makes me want to have a drink -- "that's one for you, two for me". (from Appetite For Destruction)

Skalpel's "1958"
Polish electro-jazz at its finest. The drums and sexy doo-wop background vocals make this song a nice break. (from Skalpel)

Heart's "Barracuda"
Shut up. I like the early stuff... (from Little Queen) Seriously, dude, if this list keeps going in the same direction, I may have to fire you -- Ed.

The Cure's "Lovesong" (live)
Of all the Cure songs, it picks this one? How many floors up am I right now? Is this thing under warranty? Robert Smith sounds like he has a cold, the poor guy. (from Paris)

Jimmy Eat World's "Splat Out Of Luck"
I forgot they had a Blink 182 song too. I'm so glad they got popular -- keeps 'em honest. (from Jimmy Eat World)

Zwan's "Settle Down"
I wish this band had had a second album in them. I heard a lot of potential. This song was probably their worst, though -- too repetitive. (from Mary Star Of The Sea)

The Rapture's "Love Is All" (live)
What -- no Curiosa this year? One of the best live bands ever, The Rapture's unparalleled onstage energy infects the entire crowd at every show. This song showcases their talent well. (from Live From The Bowery Ballroom)

Godspeed You Black Emperor's "The Dead Flag Blues"
This is how post-rock should be done. The voiceover is haunting. (from f# a# (infinity))

Southern Backtones' "They'll Never Come Between Our Love"
These guys mix seventies Bowie with U2's stadium-rock bombast. It's criminal that they aren't huge. (from Southern Backtones)

Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" (live)
This great live version of the rock 'n' roll classic makes a perfect end to my listening session. (from How The West Was Won)