is there any greater joy

than making (or receiving!) a mix CD? Of course not. And since I cannot practically burn you all CDs and give them out to you with little personalized notes of why I think you would like each song (as much as I would love to, seriously), here's a little sneak peak at what it would sort of be like if I could.

Track#1) Kasey Chambers - Not Pretty Enough
I love her voice. (Some call it country, but I won't, because I don't like country, remember?) She's from Australia and just has this sort of spunky attitude to her songs. Check out Lost & Found if you get the chance.

Track #2) Gavin DeGraw - Chariot
This was the song of my summer about two years ago. But I still adore it. I'm learning it on piano right now and it's all sorts of fun.

Track #3) David Gray - Babylon
Oh goodness, it really doesn't get better than this. and FINALLY, David Gray is coming to concert in Maryland later this year. (With Ray LaMontagne, none the less!) My life is so complete.

Track #4) Mumford & Songs - Little Lion Man
Seems like everyone and their mom loves this band this summer. And I'm jumping on the "band" wagon (oh geez, I'm so pun-ny)

Track #5) The Streets - Love you More
Really the only reason I like The Streets is that when I listen to them, I feel compelled to try to rap along to their songs in a British accent. And that's just funny.

Track #6) Enrique Iglesias - I like It (Feat. Pitbull)
First of all, anything with Pitbull is great just because it makes me want to dance. Secondly, I blame Nicaragua for making me Enrique-obsessed. I was not like this before...I think it's just the fact that he is Latino-y that I've been swooning for him recently. Thirdly, I do not endorse these lyrics. Finally, Cassandra & Arley, this one is for you guys.

Track #7) Brand New - Mix Tape
OK, this song was my JAM in high school. It's about as emo as I'll go. But I've been feeling a tad self-conscious about it lately...I blasted it in my car for my Younglife team the other day, and I thought we were going to have this great moment. But I think they just thought I was weird. Whatevs, I will always want to scream this while I drive.

Track #8) The Decemberists - Angels and Angles
I. LOVE. THIS. SONG. so peaceful. please listen to it.

Track #9) Shontelle - Impossible
If you need a new sing-into-your-hairbrush-at-the-top-of-your-lungs song (my favorite type), here it is

Track #10) Big Tree- Whale Song
(This band got their start at Sarah Lawrence. I have been really digging their sound lately)

Track #11) Tristan Prettyman feat. Jason Mraz - Shy That Way
Their voices sound so lovely together.

Bonus track! - Jason Mraz - Little You and I
He wrote this song for his cat. True story. The dude is cool.

Bonus bonus track! (I'm in a Jason mood) - Jason Mraz - Sleeping to Dream About You
This is potentially my favorite song of his.