For years, on the DeKalb Scene editor’s desk, there has been a gigantic collection of CDs.

Most people that send these CDs in are PR people looking for local coverage, and for the most part, these CDs are ignored and thrown in “the pile” — they have no relevance to DeKalb, or anything the section is trying to do. So, for years, this heap has grown and grown, and now is quite the eyesore.

Similarly to Greg Jennings in “Madden” (for all two of you that will get my reference), I put the section on my back and decided to review “the pile.” Omitted from the list are compilation CDs (boring), multimedia disks for computer programs (ugh), and anything related to Tony Hawk (its not 1998 anymore, everybody). So, here are the few that made an impression on me, both good and bad.

Jim the Mule– “Last Solid Ground”: All I could think of was how much this sounded like a bad Uncle Tupelo. Listen to that instead. (1/5)

DeLIVEry: There was no title on this copy I got, but it had decent moments, even though the beats and hooks were boring. The flow was decent, but not good enough to overshadow the fact that the name of the artist is spelled like it was written in a 13-year-old’s geography notebook. (2/5)

LoDeck & Omega One – “No Rims”: You know, it kind of sounds like Buck 65, but in a good way, and the beats are good, albeit a bit stale. (4/5)

Hotter Than June – “Leave All The Pretty Things Alone”: This album took me back to 2003. It’s sort of fun pop punk. The lyrics were pretty cheesy, and it sounded exactly like you would expect from a band with the name June in it. These guys sounded pretty whiny, and, at one point in my life, it may have been endearing, but now it just kind of grates on me. (3/5)

The New Monarchs : Also, no title on this album. Reminded me of Boys Like Girls with angsty electronics and a total The Postal Service-rip-off aesthetic. I bet these guys really put a lot of effort into their outfits when they play live. (2/5)

Aaron Williams – “The Ever-Winding Road”: This record was awful, maybe the worst of the bunch. The lyrics were bad, the guitar was boring, and it sounded like music that is destined to be played in bars to four attendees. If you think that’s harsh, then you try listening to it. Editor’s Note: This album is credited to “The Aaron Williams Band.” (0/5)

Now, Now Every Children – “Cars”: The vocals on this record are put way in front sonically, but there isn’t enough variance between songs to make this interesting at all. If Florence + the Machine are too upbeat for you, it might be worth a shot, but for me, I’d rather just go to sleep. Editor’s note: This band recently played DeKalb as “Now, Now.” (2/5)

The 88 – “Not Only But Also”: Not only stale, but also obnoxious. (1/5)

The Furious Seasons – “Thank You for Saturday”: I’ve never seen a band more blissfully unaware that they are a bad version of R.E.M.. (2/5)

Lifehouse – “Who We Are”: It’s just Lifehouse being Lifehouse, the wimpy younger brother of rock ‘n’ roll icons like Buckcherry and 3 Doors Down. I giggled the entire time it was on, and for that, it gets a high score. (5/5)

Violet Winter: Not sure what the album name is, but it was produced by someone named “Tommy P.” Shlacks, which is pretty cool. However, I feel like Violet Winter possess a lock of Trent Reznor’s hair somewhere, and they must be pretty happy about that. (1/5)

Favorite Saints – “The Way We Echo”: By this point, I’ve begun to realize that most of the music in this pile is inoffensive, bland, twangy rock ‘n’ roll. Unfortunately, that music bores me for the most part, and this record, which I have re-named “Diet Veruca Salt” isn’t going to change my mind. (1/5)

Lee DeWyze – “So I’m Told”: This album was so bad it shook my faith in humanity. It’s like someone made Dave Matthews worse somehow. (-2/5)

Charlie Don’t Shake – “America Is Our Office”: Charlie doesn’t shake because he is listening to Charlie Don’t Shake. This music was so laughably bad, taking notes became impossible. (0/5)

After this exercise, I have learned a couple things: sending out PR releases is a good way to get your awful album ignored for years until some snobby, holier-than-thou writer decides he wants to pick it apart, and that if you are going to send out a compilation CD, make sure to include the track listing. Also, twang is boring.

Well, now that the editor’s desk is much clearer than it was before, maybe Connor Rice will have somewhere to put his Ray-Bans. You’re welcome, boss!