Yes, today we bring back something I had planned to do more of before more relevant posting ideas started landing in my lap. And according to my incredibly official reader survey, at least two of you actually like these posts. So, away we go.

Previously, we've taken a look at one of the most influential rap songs of all time and the cruelty young Americans are capable of inflicting (yes, middle school still haunts me). Today, I'm going to move on to something that I can unequivocally tell you I like.

Counting Crows: August and Everything After

One of the first true hit songs that I remember was "Round Here." I think I was about a 5th grader. Particularly, it reminds me of hanging out with my cousins, who were actually allowed to watch music videos at the time. We all sat around and pretended we understood a song that dealt with such heavy subjects as depression and chemical dependency. At the time, I think I was hooked on All Sport. I've since broken that addiction and have been clean for approximately 12 years.

Of course, the other thing I particularly remember about this CD was the song "Omaha." Growing up in Nebraska, we were quite stoked to know a very popular band that was decidedly not from Omaha was singing about our biggest "city." Never mind the fact that the song is not particularly flattering, they were saying "Omaha," dammit!

Of course, there is so much more to the CD than all that, but I couldn't possibly run through all that now. From Adam Duritz's epic shriek at the end of "Rain King" (which I actually heard on the radio the other day...random) to the eternally underrated "Sullivan Street," this is one CD I often spin to wipe away the modern pop boredom. In fact, I tossed it into the player today when the presets and sports radio just weren't doing it for me.

Have a great weekend. I'm out until at least Sunday night, when we'll be back on topic looking at the upcoming football season.