Yeah....whatever!

Cracker - Some bands just sound good to my ear no matter what they are doing. Cracker is one and this is one of their best efforts, maybe THE best. Great ability to write fantastic rave ups and then turn around and write great quiet songs. Sure they borrow a lot – even from themselves this time out – but they always sound uniquely Cracker. One of my favorite CDs of the year - 4

Placebo – Their greatest strength (his voice) is what ultimately drags you down the longer you listen. His voice has the ability to cut through the great guitar riffs and he dominates the songs, but he just gets tiresome eventually, grating almost. Still a pretty solid rock record with some tunes I’ll listen to again. Just not very many in a row - 3

Herbie Hancock - I don’t play an instrument. Gave piano, trumpet and guitar uninspired tries, but with no success. And I’ve never arranged or written any music at all. But I couldn’t help but feel that I could have written this music. After all, I’ve watched enough 60’s detective TV shows and watched enough porn movies to capture the sound as well as Herbie has done with this. I am astounded that someone actually released this, much less someone as accomplished as Herbie Hancock. Last song saves it from getting the dreaded zero – at least it has some real swing to it. The rest is just dreck. 1

Modest Mouse - The most complicated record this month. These guys don’t just write songs, go to a studio and let fly. No, these guys create CDs and because they spend so much time and effort making it different they invite much more criticism than, say Cracker. With Cracker, either you like the song or you don’t. With Modest Mouse it’s more complicated and if they are going to take the time to turn perfectly wonderful melodies into shitstorms (which they do at times)- then I get to tell them that the noodling is excessive, wearying and pointless. Luckily, they don't do it to every song and they are talented enough for the great melodies to shine through and the annoying shit (processed vocals, stupid background noises, sudden changes in melody) eventually fades into the background with repeated listens.
3.5

Otis Redding - Nice collection of songs. Perfect for Sunday mornings hanging out. Soothes what ails you.

Not very introspective so I have no idea what songs describe who I am. Probably songs about alcohol or sports. You choose.

As for the other question, the first thing that comes to mind is that I'd want to hear the first song I ever heard that thrilled me - Ticket to Ride. It made me want to listen to music. The second one I would want to hear would be the song that changed my entire outlook on music - God Save the Queen. And the last thing I would like to hear in my life is the last 6 minutes of the Live at the Fillmore East version of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed. Duane's solo. As for the rest? I don't know. Throw in a Replacements song (maybe Bastards), something by the Ramones (Rockaway Beach perhaps) and a Sonic Youth song. And I'm done.