I love this paragraph from an old Rolling Stone review:

"Like most members of the alternative-country club, the Bottle Rockets (St. Louis chapter) and Old 97's (Dallas chapter) have learned their music history backward. Starting with punk rock's door-opening conceit that anyone might play music, they have worked through Skynyrd to Waylon and Willie, then to Haggard and Hank. Nashville will hardly recognize the result, replete with volume, speed and blunt frustration, but both bands – on their third discs now – play blue-collar songs that (at least topically) have more connection to classic country than most of what's on the radio."

In follow up to my buddy's post, the next five songs are not my favorite songs now, they are not necessarily even songs I like much now, but they are the most influencial song in my taste in and love of music (in chronological order):

California Dreaming The Mamas and the Papas - this was the first song I ever learned the words to. I remember sitting on my porch trying to figure out what it meant and, more important to me at the time, what the words actually were. I went through a period of denial that I grew up belting out folk songs in the backseat of a station wagon on family trips. I'm a bit more comfortable with that now. And, when I listen to this song now, I realize how good it is. While the band uses the sacrine harmonies of a lot a folk bands of the era, there's a sadness and desperation in it that's great.

Kokamo Beach Boys - I "performed" this song at my birthday party as a kid on the back porch. I split lead singing duties with my buddies Peter and Brian (the self-proclaimed three amigos of grade school). Lighting was provided with flashlights by a young Mr. Mosher and Rich. Man, this is a terrible song. Now I actually have some appreciation for the Beach Boys via Pet Sounds which has only made me dislike this song more. On the other hand, I can't help but smile when I hear it.

What Would You Say Dave Matthews Band - this marked the first time I listened to something and wanted to buy the album. I was a freshman in highschool and went out and bought this and Petty's Wildflowers along with some serious crap (TLC, Shaq, need I say more). Anyway, it brought me into the music consumer league.

Award Tour A Tribe Called Qwest - wow. Still just an amazing song. This song and the entire album surrounding are the basis for my love of hip hop. If my friend hadn't suggested Tribe and Digible Planets, I don't know where I'd be right now. All I know is I'd have a lot less groove.

Jesus, etc. Wilco - I'd been told that I'd like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It was sitting out when I visited Tim's place and I played it. I did not like it. Garth burned me a copy and I listened past the first song. This song made me except Wilco, then listen to AM, then love Wilco, then Old 97s, then a little Johnny Cash and Willie, then maybe some Hank Williams even. This song started me on a road towards understanding that categorically hating country music meant ignoring some great music

Favorite 5 Right Now: Girl - Beck, Crooked Teeth - Death Cab for Cutie, Be - Common, Waiting for the Sun - Jayhawks, I Turn My Camera On - Spoon