by Carrie Brownstein

Greg Kihn. I come back to this song every couple of years. It's a predictable and hardworking tune, yet it somehow manages to transcend its simplicity.

Echo & The Bunnymen. One of my favorites. In this live version of the song, the bass is too loud and the whole thing sounds like a British version of The Sonics' "Strychnine."

Linda Ronstadt should be more influential than she is — either that, or not enough folks are 'fessing up to it.

Agent Orange. One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar.

Neu! Everyone should listen to this song at least once a year.

Nazz. Todd Rundgren. So young, so cute.