Mona's Fall Shuffle

Track 1: "Little Dawn" by Ted Leo + The Pharmacists
This one encapsulates all the reasons why Ted Leo is the man: it's upbeat, fun, rocks hard, and it's damn near impossible not to sing along and/or tap your knees when he sings. Keep writing music, and I will keep listening! :-)

Track 2: "You Said Something" by PJ Harvey
This song makes me wanna go to Nick Cave's apartment and plant a kiss on his lips, just to see what the fuss was about ("your boy's smile, 5 in the morning, looked into your eyes, and I was really in love..."). From rooftop parties in Brooklyn, to being hungover in Chinatown, to a few life-changing words she's "never forgotten" in Little Italy, the amazing Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea details PJ's love affair with Nick, as well as with NYC itself. And "You Said Something" serves best as a reminder that NYC may just be the best city to fall in love.

Track 3: "Kill" by Jimmy Eat World
Oh Jimmy, I love your emo ways. I once asked Jim Adkins outside his Stone Pony show in Asbury Park, NJ what song he meant during the line "I pick up, put down the phone / like your favorite Heatmiser song goes / it's just like being alone." He smiled and said "Half Right." So for all you wondering, there you have it.

Track 4: "A Man and A Woman" by U2
I couldn't tell ya what tracks are on How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, but this song has such a sexy groove to it. They don't put out Joshua Tree-style music anymore, but I'm open-minded enough to appreciate U2's entire catalog. They've secured enough musical genius to earn the right to a few relatively subpar albums since, so no need to hate.

Track 5: "Windmills" by Toad The Wet Sprocket
Gotta love 90's alternative rock... still. I've always felt these guys are underrated and wish this style of music was still mainstream 'cuz if so, I think they'd still be relevant. This isn't my favorite song of theirs, but it's mad relaxing and the lyrics/music are beautiful. I only hope Glen Phillips still makes music. If not for the masses, then at least for himself.

Afterthought: This came out less embarrassing than I feared!?