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[Every year, Charlie puts together a two-volume mix CD compilation of the year's best music. He usually keeps this stuff hidden away only for the secret special people. However, he's been kind enough to let us repost his thoughts here. So consider yourselves special... or secret... or secret special. - Editor Steve.]

Disc 1

Incubus - Megalomaniac: Initially, I was not a fan of this song at all. Now, it's leading off the Best of 2004 CDs.

Muse - Stockholm Syndrome: This song was available for download from Muse's website prior to the UK release of the album. I had read about how explosive the song was, and if I had been able to do the pounds to dollars conversion, I would have downloaded it.

Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon: I would have completely forgotten about this song if Von Bondies hadn't have passed through Richmond last month and been so ridiculously nice. They opened for The Hives at South By Southwest, which will be covered later.

Everlast - Ticking Away: Don't be so quick to write-off Everlast. While his stupid record company went with "What It's Like 2004" as a single, this track was hiding about halfway through the album and should have been the lead-off single. So great, and 2 "motherf*ckers"! I love swearing!

Burning Brides - Heart Full of Black: Straight forward rawk. Got trampled by Jet on the charts, which was kinda disappointing.

The Fire Theft - Chain: The Fire Theft made an appearance in the palatial Y101 studios this fall for an acoustic set and interview (see Disc 2). This song is so great, and the fact that the album art became my new tattoo, courtesy of Capital Tattoo's Scott Calcaterra, that I decided to include on this year's list, even though it came out September of last year.

The Features - A Million Ways To Sing The Blues: Our afternoon dork, Fletcher, raved about this band out of Tennessee. I didn't believe until I saw them perform in some whacky VFW-style pool hall at South By Southwest. They ended up playing our Birthday Bash show in May. Fletcher and I played maracas.

Bad Religion - Los Angeles is Burning: Call me when Bad Religion records a bad album.

The Music - Freedom Fighters: Their self-titled debut CD was released about a year and a half early. This one is right on time. You may hear their newer song "Breakin'" on your local alternative station. This song is better.

The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk: Another South by Southwest story: I saw The Hives play South By Southwest at about 4 o'clock in afternoon in the 85 degree Texas in March heat in the same black and white suits you see on the cover of this album, and they were awesome.

Paris Texas - Like You Like An Arsonist: Why this song was not a huge hit, I don't know. Maybe it's because commercial radio sucks. Not a bad song on this album. Buy it.

Mark Lanegan Band - Methamphetamine Blues: Former lead singer for the Screaming Trees. One of my favorite voices in rock and roll.

Loretta Lynn - Portland, Oregon (duet with Jack White): Taking a page out of the Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin career revival book, Loretta Lynn teamed up with Jack White of the White Stripes to record her best album in years. Find me another song released this century that references a Sloe Gin Fizz. I'll buy you one.

Gomez - Silence: I'm a long-time fan of this Mercury Prize winning group. They are about as close to a jam band as I will ever enjoy. They just lost their deal with Virgin Records this year. Hopefully that does not put an end to the band.

The Walkmen - The Rat: I'm almost willing to date, then break up with someone just to put this on a mix tape for them. An anthem for any fair-weather friend or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend who done you wrong.

Papa Roach - Getting Away With Murder: I know I'm going to get no end of shit for including this song, but I like it. I think it has more to do with Jacoby Shaddix's "I could care less" attitude than with the music.

Franz Ferdinand - This Fire: I found the first single, "Take Me Out", annoying. This one I like. Catchy, and retro without trying too hard.

The Secret Machines - Nowhere Again: A trio from Texas via LA, these guys make more noise with a guitar, keyboard and drums than many 5 piece bands. Prog is back, baby!

The Album Leaf - Thule: My Sigur Ros for 2004. A beautiful record. This is the only instrumental on these CDs.

The Streets - Dry Your Eyes: This version features Chris Martin of Coldplay on the chorus vocals and appears on the import edition of "A Grand Don't Come For Free" and is miles away better than the domestic version.

U2 - Vertigo (Jacknife Lee 10"): Though I am underwhelmed with the new album (I'm trying, really I am), I can't get enough of this song. I went with the remix here since I imagine everyone has seen the iPod commercial 900,000 times.

Disc 2

The Killers - Mr. Brightside: Although "Somebody Told Me" is the big hit (obviously. Top 40 is playing it here), this is the sentimental favorite amongst the Y101 staff, and Keith Dakin, as if his opinion matters.

Afrika Bambaataa with Gary Numan - Metal: It's Afrika Bambaataa and Gary Numan. Is there another reason?

Local H - Bound for the Floor (Acoustic): In keeping with the theme of the list, I probably should have included the acoustic version of "California Songs" since that song actually came out this year, but this is an alternative classic that was recorded this year.

Interpol - Slow Hands: I almost included the Dan the Automator remix to complete the Automator Trifecta, but went with the album version. One of the most hotly-anticipated releases of 2004, this album disappointed some, enthralled others. I was in the latter category.

Green Day - American Idiot: I never thought I would be genuinely excited about a Green Day album. We had heard many good things about the new record from Jim Payne, our Reprise rep, but nothing prepared me, and us, for the near-perfection that is this song. And the album is great, too.

Bright Eyes - Lua: Conor Oberst releases 4 EPs in a row in anticipation of a new album in 2005. The title track to one of the EPs, this is the most plaintative, touching, heart-breaking song about drug use since Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done". Makes me want to not do drugs even less than I did before.

Head Automatica - Beating Heart Baby: I played this under duress, then realised how great a song it really is. Dan the Automator makes one of two appearances on this list, proving yet again that he could crap on tape and I would think it's brilliant.

Skindred - Babylon: Our initial reaction to this song was "What the fuck is this madness?". If this is your first time hearing this song, you probably had the same reaction. A phenomenal live act that played a free show for us this year.

Velvet Revolver - Contraband: Everything about this project (their first single "Set Me Free", checkered, drug-riddled pasts, new-found clean living) pointed to it sucking. Then this song showed up and everything changed. I'd take this album over a new G'n'R album any day. Cross your fingers that Weiland doesn't have (yet another) heroin meltdown.

Val Emmich - Shock (Acoustic): Recorded in the Palatial Y101 Studios, Val Emmich did two cuts from his Epic Records CD Slow Down Kid. "Emo" without being pussy. If you like this one, you can download the other song he recorded, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay (I Promise): A fun song that toes the line of pop-punk, but I'm willing to let it slide. Also, my nominee for video of the year.

Handsome Boy Modeling School - The World's Gone Mad: Chest Rockwell and Nathanial Merriweather (a.k.a. Prince Paul and Dan "the Automator" Nakamura) return with a guest-list with everyone short of Mr. T. Where else can you find Father Guido Sarducci other than SNL reruns? Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand makes an appearance on this one, along with Barrington Levy and Del the Funkee Homosapien.

Kasabian - Club Foot: Hearkening back to the days of Primal Scream, Jesus and Mary Chain and the Soup Dragons, Kasabian makes a stab at bringing British techno-power-rock back. If the heavily-produced sound of this track turns you off, try them live. Word on the UK streets is that they tear the roof off.

Taking Back Sunday - A Decade Under The Influence: On the list almost solely for the scream at the end. Makes the hair on my back (and there's a lot of it) stand up.

The Fire Theft - Summertime (Acoustic): The only band to make two appearances on the list. I Had TFT in the studio to perform "Chain" and this song. The acoustic version of "Chain" is a little rough, so I went with "Summertime" so their studio appearance was represented. One of the highlights of my year.

Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus: Probably the third-greatest version of this song, behind the Depeche Mode acoustic version and Johnny Cash's cover. Manson should re-launch his career as a covers artist.

Prodigy - Girls: The Prodigy is back, again, after a false start a couple of years ago with "Firestarter Pt.II", also known as "Baby's Got A Temper". Fortunately, Liam decided that wasn't the way to go, holed himself up in a studio, and popped out this retro, noisy gem.

Eagles of Death Metal - San Berdoo Sunshine: A last-minute addition. Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age played drums for this group on the album and a portion of the tour. It's a bizarre record. They're cover of "Stuck in the Middle With You" is great. And no, it's not actually death metal.

Jimmy Eat World - Pain: While the album lacks a "Middle" or "Sweetness" (it's actually kind of a bummer), it's still one of my favorites of the year. I went with the "hit" so I didn't bring the room down.

On the web: Charlie's web site
Also on the web: Listen to Charlie weekday mornings on Richmond's Y101