CDs of Bands/Artists That Never Leave My Car

As Michelle and I were driving over to a friend's house last night, it occurred to me that there are a couple of musical artists and bands that I can always listen to. What I really mean, I guess, is that these are the staples of my music collection. I thought I'd share . . .

• Crowded House
• I'm gay for Crowded House. Sorry. Really like Neil Finn and the boys, and have for a long time. They got together for a new album last year, and toured in support of it. Michelle and I drove to Philly to see them. DEFINITELY worth the trip. Their music is timeless. Neil's lyrics are super intelligent, curious, quirky, and very deep all at the same time. Heck, these guys are playing right now as I type this. . .
  
• Radiohead.
• These guys are so different and so eclectic. I can always find something of theirs that fits my energy level. I'm never disappointed by Radiohead
  
• John Hiatt
• JH is an underrated song writer. His stuff is smart and revealing, and very timeless. Listening to him reminds me of club hopping in Nashville, where you got to see some incredible artists - local artists - that kicked butt. John is an Indiana boy, which makes me smile, too.
  
• The Replacements
• Minneapolis Punk Rock. Almost an oxymoron. I got interested in these guys back in the late 80s. With songs like "Gary's Got A Boner" and "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" as well as their more normal fair -- these guys rock, and don't take themselves too seriously. Great music to drive fast to. These guys aren't together anymore, far as I can tell.
• Liz Phair
• I am a lover of Liz Phair, too. She's been around for a long time -- her first album is classic, and the next two are really good, too. Liz is someone that I can listen to anytime, anyplace.
  
• Arc Angels
• This was a surprise find. I was a big Charlie Sexton fan, back in the day. On a fluke, back in the 90s, I went to a club in downtown Nashville called "Ace of Clubs" or something like that. The band was playing that night, which I didn't know until I paid the cover. Charlie comes out with Dwayne Bramhall III and the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughn. I just about crapped my pants. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen, and their one CD is in my car all the time, and gets played at least weekly. Very good CD. Even better band. Too bad they aren't together anymore.
• The Rave-Ups
• Another pitifully unappreciated band. Most people only heard them playing in the movie "Pretty in Pink" (see Wikipedia). These guys got me and Dan Ballard through a great kayak trip back in 1992, I think it was. The CD "Chance" was and is another timeless CD that rocks, again, with intelligence, great melody, and awesome lyrics.