Considering I've long declared Beck's "Odelay" to be the first or second best album of the '90s (Radiohead's "The Bends" is the other), I was more than a little surprised to find my CD in the basement the other day. I was stunned to find that I never ripped it to iTunes, which meant somehow, I haven't listened to the complete disc in several years.

I took care of both pressing issues this morning, forgoing my normal routine of listening to NPR's "Morning Edition" on the way to work, and instead cranking this amazing album. I made it through about five tracks, skipping to "Where's It's At" as I pulled into our office, where I immediately ripped the album to my computer.

It's funny how an album can take one back into time. I remember a 1996 road trip to St. Louis, where I met my old college friend Oscar, who drove up from Kansas City. During that silly Labor Day weekend, we must've heard "Where It's At" on the radio a dozen times, and it became the official theme song for the trip.

So, on the way back, I pulled off the highway somewhere in southern Illinois and bought "Odelay" at a random Wal-Mart. I put that album on loop and listened to it the entire ride home. I was blown away immediately. I had owned "Mellow Gold" in college, but I found myself speechless to hear Beck's musical evolution in just a few years.

When I got home, I listened to it even more. I memorized the ridiculous lyrics, anticipated the crazy samples and listened to it as I fell asleep. I'm surprised I didn't wear out that CD.

And then, at some point, I must've put it away, because even though I own every subsequent Beck album (some are great, some just so-so), apparently I haven't heard "Odelay" all the way through in a long time -- the disc was in a box with some bank statements from Firstar and a 56k modem.

Anyway, I got my "Odelay" back. Now 12 years later, the music sounds maybe a tiny bit dated -- but it's still awesome. I don't remember all the words, but I remember most. And I think "Odelay" will be the official soundtrack of my day today.