What's in my iPod?

A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Am in the process of transferring the 150 to 200-some mixed compact discs I have put together. That's all legally downloaded music, of course!

Friends give me the business because it's a very stream of consciousness thing. Whatever artist or song would pop in my head at the time, I'd plop it on a disc. Therefore, you're likely to see Abba (yes, I know) on the same CD as Def Leppard (yes, I know).

Newer releases I'd recommend right now: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals are my favorite current artist and have an excellent new CD out called "Cardinology." Highly recommend it. Saw them play at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames a month ago, and it was a tight show!

Also, just heard the new disc from The Whigs, called "Mission Control." They are a harder, power-pop group that has been compared to Dinosaur Jr. A Scottish band I've always enjoyed is Travis, which has a new CD out called "Ode To J. Smith." Travis has a U2-esque sound to it.

Another U2-like band is Snow Patrol, which has a new CD out called "A Hundred Million Suns." You might remember them as the group that sang the popular ballad "Chasing Cars."

Speaking of U2, it apparently has a new CD coming out sometime early in the new year. If you've never seen them live, it's worth the money. Though is shelling out $100 to see anybody really worth it any more?

Oh, well. That's just a little music guide for ya'll from this particular Gazette sportswriter. Two other guys with real good tastes in music on staff are Eric Clark and Marc Morehouse. Ask them what's hot these days, too, if you're looking for something good to listen to.