The premise: one CD’s worth of the best songs I’ve heard throughout the month.
The sources: The Current, Pandora, XM and various sites on the web.
The criteria: (1) the songs have to be obscure, underground and/or mostly forgotten, and (2) they must be pop friendly.
The gist: I wade through music’s vast soundscape (listening nearly all day, every day) to discover the hidden pop gems. This is a monthly series devoted to bringing you songs that are universally appealing yet mostly unknown.
1. “Oh No” – Andrew Bird
2. “Sawdust Man” – Ben Kweller
3. “The Wrestler” – Bruce Springsteen (obvious but necessary)
4. “Never Gonna Happen” – Lily Allen
5. “Hold Your Own” – The Hopefuls
6. “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” – Ida Maria
7. “Her Morning Elegance” – Oren Lavie
8. “Never Had Nobody Like You” – M. Ward
9. “The Rake” – The Decemberists (Yes, I know you’ve heard it. Still needed to be on the list.)
10. “Mr. Pitiful” – Matt Costa
11. “Can I Get Get Get” – Junior Senior
12. “Goodbye Kiss” – Janey Winterbauer & Marc Perlman
13. “So Far Around the Bend” – The National
14. “Believe In Me” – Sloan
15. “Gotta Cheer Up” – Cotton Jones
16. “Young Adult Friction” – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
17. “While We Go Dancing” – White Rabbits
The World of B. 
I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” – Ida Maria, has anyone been able to find this song on iTunes or as mp3? if so, could you share info.
danke.
ok two weeks ago that Ida Maria was not available. now it is.
never mind previous question. i’m a [redacted] dumb [redacted].
Have you ever included any Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles? Maybe I haven’t been following the miTunes lists closely enough.
I have not, Dave, but I’ll give ’em a listen stat. I’ve heard good things.
Good mix, B. Love the inclusion of The National (my incessant promotion of these guys used to really annoy friends and family–similar to how Stu shamelessly plugs Elbow).
Latte: if you can find it, the National’s cover of Pretty In Pink is gorgeous.