1. Lagwagon, “Razor Burn”

The song that brought us to the notion of “The Beard of Shame.” And if that isn’t enough incentive to rock out to this classic punk tune, it has a melody so blatantly stolen from “O Come All Ye Faithful” that Joey Cape decided to slap some of those lyrics into his own.

2. The Old 97s, “Barrier Reef”

There is something about good ol’ drunken, broken-hearted country songs that make it seem like a great idea to sit down, have 10 or 15 brews and listen over and over. This song in particular is defined by the line “My heart wasn’t in it, not for one single minute/I went through the motions with her/Her on top and me on liquor.”

3. The Stereo, “Divine”

If ever there was an unappreciated band with a slew of amazing songs, it’s The Stereo. If making a mix CD for your special someone, “Devine” can’t be left off. It is a growing epic you can’t help singing along with by the end.

4. Drag the River, “Medicine”

This track depicts how man’s two greatest loves – women and booze – go hand in hand, and how one is no good without the other.

5. Rise Against, “Everchanging”

This band always has a knack for writing tracks that hit home to their fans while leaving them open to interpretation.