Finally, I was passed a musical baton by Lara. [I've secretly wanted to participate for a good week. ]

Amount of music on your computer?

2069 songs, 11.39 GB, six days or so. I have more music than this, but my migration of my music collection to my office box is slow. Since I’m a good Weblogger and an iTunes fan, most every link below is to the iTunes Music Store, in case you’re wanting to pay to listen to the songs in my head.

Currently listening to?

“Hell Is Chrome” — Wilco, a ghost is born.

Five songs that mean a lot to you?

“Lover Pt. 2″ by Derek Webb on i see things upside down.

“Can’t Lose You” from Caedmon’s Call’s Long Line of Leavers. I’m right at where Derek was when he wrote this song, as my brother just got married …

“We Are The Beggars at the Foot of God’s Door” by The Normals on Coming to Life. Forefront Records executives should be ashamed that they killed The Normals.

“Poughkeepsie” by Over The Rhine on Good Dog, Bad Dog.

“Late Greats” by Wilco on a ghost is born … because that describes every song on this list. “Can’t hear ‘em on the radio / Can’t hear ‘em everywhere you go”.

Top five albums?

Caedmon’s Call’s Long Line of Leavers: I’m probably considered a heretic for this, but it’s my favorite album they’ve ever put out. 40 Acres and Share the Well are 2A and 2B.

Derek Webb’s i see things upside down: A phenomenal album by a good friend. Well, except for “T-Shirts”, which had no business being on that record. If you buy it on iTunes or rip it to MP3, just delete “T-Shirts”. You can thank me later.

Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: YHF and agib made me love this band.

Hem’s Eveningland: The writing on Rabbit Songs may have been a touch better, but the production on Eveningland is vastly superior and makes for a better listening experience.

Over The Rhine’s Good Dog, Bad Dog: I can never get enough of this album. I’m arguing with myself over the pick—I want to go for Drunkard’s Prayer or Ohio—but honestly, GDBD is what I always come back to listen to one more time. “What a beautiful piece of heartache…”

Last album bought?

It’s pretty hard for me to think of which album I bought last; certainly, the one with the most impact on me was Drunkard’s Prayer.

Recent discoveries?

I think my discovery of Hem is the biggest one I’ve had of 2005. It’s right up there with falling in love with Over The Rhine in 2004, which probably surprises some people who’ve heard me babble about OTR.

Passing on the musical baton.

Hmmm …

Amy: Amy’s Baton
Jeff Holland: Jeff’s Baton
John Wilson: John’s Baton
Mark Traphagen
Rick