I love to make lists. When I was in a boring class during grad school, I would present a facade of engagement by scribbling lists instead of class notes. I made lists of bands I’d see (long one), traffic tickets (also long), foods I don’t eat (short) and the hundred blocks of every major Chicago street from Madison to Howard (long-ish…and yeah, I know them all by heart). So when my beloved A&E editor at Chicagoist told me we wouldn’t be making any year-end or decade-end lists this year, I died just a little bit inside.

But I’m a resilient Bird, and I shall prevail. So here I am to make lists for you, unhindered by silly things like editors and deadlines. Sometimes I’ll explain my choices, sometimes I won’t. If you’re here, you’re good with the Webz so just look shit up.

Which one should I post first: Most Underrated Guitarists of the Aughties or The Most Embarrassing Albums I Really Liked (of the Aughties)?