Pogo Place

By SUMMER MENDOZA

"I am I said/to no one there/and no one heard me/not even a chair ..." - The Man, The Myth, The Musician, Neil Diamond.

Well, it's the beginning of a new year, a new decade, a new century, but not a new millennium (it's called math people, try it). Not much has happened by way of music (unless you count the Grammy nominations, and I don't - Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera up for best female artist? Blasphemy!) So I've decided to look back at a few of my favorite albums/artists of the past 10 years, in no particular order.

Joan Jett: Yes, she's been around for well beyond 10 years, and she's been rocking the entire time. Her latest two albums, Fetish and the "Best of" album, Fit to be Tied, are simple proof that girls can rock just as hard as the boys and they don't have to be excruciatingly annoying like Courtney Love.

Oasis: This one I can't really explain. There's just something about those catchy tunes and uni-brows. Be Here Now is my favorite album from the Gallagher Bros. and company, but Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory are a close second.

Under the Pink: The quintessential Tori Amos album, and the one that first acquainted many of us with her work. From the Choirgirl Hotel was another amazing album from the "Cornflake Girl" who paved the way for the likes of Fiona Apple.

Operation Ivy: The band that started my foray into punk and ska. I somehow managed to hear them in my small town of Clovis, Calif. (thank God for college radio!) and still listen to them - though they broke up a long time ago. Op. Ivy also served as my platform into a Greenday fan. How could I not like a band that did Ivy covers at shows and on their early albums?

Ani DiFranco: Though most Ani fans I've talked to favor Little Plastic Castle, I prefer Not a Pretty Girl, and her latest, Too the Teeth. Ani's passionate, honest, and not afraid to break out of the proverbial box - that's what I like.

Summer decided to spare you from her usual "311 Rules!" column and point out some of her not-necessarily ska or punk-musical choices. Next time, though, she will probably be back to her old self. Peace, love and Otter Pops!