"This odd, beautiful collection was spawned from an odd and beautiful idea. Come up with a list of 50 classic albums for the last four decades, email it out to a diverse group of writers, musicians, industry wonks, and some people who defy description, and ask them to write a brief book about why they love it. David Barker did just that with his 33 1/3 series. He found the response from writers impressive and popular. The series of books, which can only be described as cute (measuring slightly bigger than a deck of cards and about half as thick), are a mixed bag that run the gamut from eye-opening looks at the essence of an album to pieces that leap the bounds of appreciation and are positively obsessive. This anthology brings together selections from the first 20 volumes of the series." Playback St. Louis"

• Introduction; 1. Elvis Costello; 2. R.E.M.; 3. Jeff Buckley; 4. DJ Shadow; 5. The MC5; 6. Bruce Springsteen; 7. David Bowie; 8. The Band; 9. Neutral Milk Hotel; 10. Sly and the Family Stone; 11. The Pixies; 12. Beastie Boys; 13. Stone Roses; 14. Nirvana; 15. Bob Dylan; 16. My Bloody Valentine; 17. The Who; 18. Guided By Voices; 19. Sonic Youth; 20. Joni Mitchell; (And the winner of our Under-21 Essay Contest.).

"This odd, beautiful collection was spawned from an odd and beautiful idea. Come up with a list of 50 classic albums for the last four decades, email it out to a diverse group of writers, musicians, industry wonks, and some people who defy description, and ask them to write a brief book about why they love it. David Barker did just that with his 33 1/3 series. He found the response from writers impressive and popular. The series of books, which can only be described as cute (measuring slightly bigger than a deck of cards and about half as thick), are a mixed bag that run the gamut from eye-opening looks at the essence of an album to pieces that leap the bounds of appreciation and are positively obsessive. This anthology brings together selections from the first 20 volumes of the series." Playback St. Louis"

• Introduction; 1. Elvis Costello; 2. R.E.M.; 3. Jeff Buckley; 4. DJ Shadow; 5. The MC5; 6. Bruce Springsteen; 7. David Bowie; 8. The Band; 9. Neutral Milk Hotel; 10. Sly and the Family Stone; 11. The Pixies; 12. Beastie Boys; 13. Stone Roses; 14. Nirvana; 15. Bob Dylan; 16. My Bloody Valentine; 17. The Who; 18. Guided By Voices; 19. Sonic Youth; 20. Joni Mitchell; (And the winner of our Under-21 Essay Contest.).

"This odd, beautiful collection was spawned from an odd and beautiful idea. Come up with a list of 50 classic albums for the last four decades, email it out to a diverse group of writers, musicians, industry wonks, and some people who defy description, and ask them to write a brief book about why they love it. David Barker did just that with his 33 1/3 series. He found the response from writers impressive and popular. The series of books, which can only be described as cute (measuring slightly bigger than a deck of cards and about half as thick), are a mixed bag that run the gamut from eye-opening looks at the essence of an album to pieces that leap the bounds of appreciation and are positively obsessive. This anthology brings together selections from the first 20 volumes of the series." Playback St. Louis"

• Introduction; 1. Elvis Costello; 2. R.E.M.; 3. Jeff Buckley; 4. DJ Shadow; 5. The MC5; 6. Bruce Springsteen; 7. David Bowie; 8. The Band; 9. Neutral Milk Hotel; 10. Sly and the Family Stone; 11. The Pixies; 12. Beastie Boys; 13. Stone Roses; 14. Nirvana; 15. Bob Dylan; 16. My Bloody Valentine; 17. The Who; 18. Guided By Voices; 19. Sonic Youth; 20. Joni Mitchell; (And the winner of our Under-21 Essay Contest.).