Come closer kids, and sit on our knees. When we were your age we bought candy bars for a nickel, and had to kill snakes on the way to school. It was OK though, because we did it to the tune of tracks like these! As always, we make the recommends, and you promise to track them down anyway you can – and to take care of your grandmother when we're gone. She'll need a shorts change everyday around two.

This week with music from Beck, Marcy Playground, LL Cool J, Motion City Soundtrack, Lee Dorsey and Lucky Boys Confusion.

Beck: Paper Tiger off Sea Change
(An unmentioned controversy surrounded this album. Some people thought it was way to boring for a Beck album, others thought it was genius. After a few listens to this track, we're pretty sure you'll side with the latter.)

Marcy Playground: America off Shapeshifter
(These guys are generally considered a one hit wonder, but did you know they have three great albums? This track shows off their laid-back side. So good even non-Americans will love it.)

LL Cool J: Mama Said Knock You Out off All World – Greatest Hits
(Sometimes considered the greatest rap song of all time. It's a constant reminder that the up and comers leave much to be desired.)

Motion City Soundtrack: Everything Is Alright off Commit This To Memory
(As far as we understand it, these guys are pretty big with the kids these days. Although usually kids' musical taste leans heavily on the 'tarded, they got it right here. It's a rocker.)

Lee Dorsey: Ya Ya off American Graffiti
(This is an old school, upbeat, pop-predecessor with a simple R&B sound. Find it now, we command you.)

Lucky Boys Confusion: Hey Driver off Commitment
(We heard about these guys two days ago, and we really like it. It's punk, but not California bubble-gum punk, so you won't have to wear gigantic desert tent-like knee length khaki shorts to listen to it. If someone tells you otherwise, you tell them to talk to us.)

[story by Shawn Lindseth]