Stacie Slotnick lists her favorite music

Music to her ears

Asking Stacie Slotnick to choose her five favorite artists or CDs is, she says, ``like asking a mother to choose her favorite child." We pressed her anyway. She managed to cobble together a list:

Will Oldham "I listen to Will Oldham every day, without fail. I think he's truly one of America's greatest songwriters."

Alasdair Roberts "Ali has a real gift for interpreting traditional folk songs and lending them something new."

Neutral Milk Hotel, "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" ``A heartbreaking, wrenching, brilliant achievement that's like a gift with each listen."

Wedding Present, "Seamonsters" "This record manages to be angry, bitter, and poignant all at once. Also excellent for playing loudly while driving."

John Fahey "When I don't know what it is, exactly, that I want to be listening to, I often end up with Fahey, and it's always exactly the right thing."

-- MATTHEW SHAER