The List: Nine Random Songs From Music Editor Scott Heisel's iTunes Library and Why They Rule

My work computer is essentially used for two things: 1) Reading Creed Thoughts and 2) Listening to copious amounts of music. My iTunes library at AP is currently sitting pretty at 7,980 songs (just under 20 full days of music), and I wholeheartedly stand by every single track. So, to put Scott’s Spicy Jams (that’s my library’s name) to the test, I’ve placed it on the ever-mischievous Party Shuffle to see what it spits out. I’ll listen and quickly defend each song’s honor before it ends, no matter how potentially bizarre it might be ("The Super Bowl Shuffle" is in my library, as is the Kidz Bop cover of Modest Mouse’s "Float On"). Enjoy a small peek into what a music editor (or at least this one) listens to on any given day… —Scott Heisel

Ted Leo/Pharmacists’ "La Costa Brava" What better way to start a party than with the motherfucking man himself? This is one of the better songs from Leo’s 2007 effort Living With The Living. It makes me even more stoked for his new album, coming out sometime next year on Touch & Go (and even more saddened his fall tour with Against Me! isn’t playing Cleveland–what gives?).

Saves The Day’s "Dying Day" I know I’m in the minority here, but 2006’s Sound The Alarm is the best album Saves The Day have ever made, and "Dying Day" is an underappreciated pop gem. I had the distinct pleasure of conducting an acoustic session with STD’s vocalist Chris Conley and guitarist David Soloway last year, and they decided, completely independent of me, to play this song. I geeked out hard.

DJ BC Vs Big D And The Kids Table’s "Im Yrs Bawstin!!!1one!" This remix record (Strictly Mixed And Mashed) featuring some of Boston-based ska-punk band Big D And The Kids Table’s best tracks is a hit-and-miss affair; this re-do of "I’m Yours, Boston" leans more toward the former, and would definitely kill in a German discotheque. In my office, though? Notsomuch. But I still back it.

Hit The Lights’ "Stick Up" Oh, iTunes, you clever girl! This track is taken from our Alternative Press Play Vol. 1: Back To School compilation that we released last year, and it’s exclusive to that CD (along with other rarities from Gym Class Heroes, Paramore, the Used and more). It’s also the last HTL song released with their original singer, Colin Ross–bonus cred points! Oh, right: It’s also a spicy jam.

The Jai-Alai Savant’s "Thunderstatement" On the more obscure tip, this Chicago-based band (featuring Ralph Darden, formerly of criminally underappreciated ’90s group Franklin) hit their dub/punk/indie concoction square on the head with the title track from their 2005 debut EP. Most people reading this have probably never checked out this band (or Franklin), but if you like a little soul and a little groove in your punk, then you owe it to yourself to give them a shot.

The Plastic Constellations’ "Flames And Rain" Speaking of criminally underappreciated bands, this Minneapolis-based quartet went on indefinite hiatus after releasing We Appreciate You (the album this song is on) earlier this year. As someone who never got to see them live, I implore you: Listen to the Plastic Constellations, be sufficiently blown away, then demand they get back into gear. As for this particular song, it’s one of the better jams off Appreciate, with slicing guitars, well-placed handclaps and a nice sense of poppy ominousness.

The Suicide Machines’ "Ghosts On Sunset Blvd." And speaking of bands who need to get back into gear immediately: This song is off the Detroit ska-punk combo’s 2005 effort War Profiteering Is Killing Us All, and is two minutes and 14 seconds of slam-bang punk-rock action, with a killer ska groove that begins at the exact middle of the song before flinging itself back into the pit for the last 45 seconds. So. Fucking. Good.

Minus The Bear’s "Burying Luck" Frankly, I’m surprised it took eight songs to get to a Minus The Bear track–I don’t know if there’s any other artist in my library more consistently played than this astonishingly creative progressive-rock quintet. The leadoff number from 2007’s stellar Planet Of Ice sets the tone for the entire record, with dense synth parts underneath one of the most mind-bending guitar solos I’ve heard in ages (not to mention the greatest rhythm section in indie rock). If you’re still not listening to this band, there’s no hope for you.

David Bazan’s "Selling Advertising" The No.1 reason this song from 2006’s Fewer Moving Parts rules: It’s essentially a diss track from the former Pedro The Lion frontman addressed to the indier-than-thou at Pitchforkmedia.com, who have consistently harped on Bazan for his Christian faith. Check these lyrics out: "You’re so creative/With your reviews/Of what other people do/How satisfying that must be for you." Okay, so it’s not 50 Cent slamming Kanye West or something, but for indie rock, damn!