I understand Todd’s problem. I’ve been trying to make a mix for a month now for my little brother-in-law, who is something of a metalhead. I don’t have any metal. But what do I like that he won’t hate? Here’s my initial idea:

1. Queens of the Stone Age - Millionaire
2. Aerosmith - Nobody’s Fault
3. The Pattern - Mary’s Sister Margaret Jones
4. The Hives - Die, All Right!
5. New Bomb Turks - Id Slips In
6. Wire - Field Day for the Sundays
7. Wire - Ex-Lion Tamer
8. Dead Boys - Sonic Reducer
9. Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster
10. Archers of Loaf - Harnessed in Slums
11. QOTSA - No One Knows
12. White Stripes - The Air Near my Fingers
13. Ramones - Judy is a Punk

and then something something, and then I’ll wrap it up with

Queen - Somebody to Love

And I think he’ll hate it. I really do. All of this rocks like hell, but none of it is metal. The greatest challenge in the world is trying to subtly broaden the musical horizons of someone with very narrow musical tastes, without being patronizing or going over their head. And this isn’t metal. It’s mostly punk. And so I wonder, what is it about metal that turns him on so much? Is it the volume? Cause these songs have that. Is it the production and speed? Cause these songs do NOT have that.

What’s a boy to do?