Published Dec. 1, 2003, in the Kansas State Collegian

Reviews by Matthew Webber

Neck ties. Foreman Grills. Another Manheim Steamroller album. If you're running out of gift ideas, try giving some of the year's best CDs. If you're feeling particularly Grinchy, buy them for yourself.

John Mayer, "Heavier Things," 4 stars

Perfect for: guitar players, Gap models, all college girls

At 26, Mayer is only a few years older than most college students. However, he writes songs like a wizened old pro. He details his life like a journalist and croons like he's singing lullabies. If they were heavier, his songs -- about getting married in the song "Home Life," cuddling in "Come Back to Bed," and being lonely in "Something's Missing" -- could be anthems for 20-something life. But Mayer's a softie, and his ode to females, "Daughters," guarantees their swooning.

The White Stripes, "Elephant," 5 stars

Perfect for: siblings, bassists, upholsterers

Cymbals crash, guitars squeal, and Jack and Meg White play loudly enough for two hundred. Jack screams the blues, while Meg drums like a toddler. The simplicity of the songs is what gives them their power. Their energy gives them vitality and urgency. Plus, you can make your very own White Stripes ornaments. Cut out Jack and Meg from the cover and hang them from your tree like candy canes.

Northern State, "Dying in Stereo," 4 stars

Perfect for: English grad students, music critics, feminists

These three white girls can rap. Really. They're nasally and whiny, but so are the Beastie Boys, whose "Licensed to Ill" album is obviously an influence. Sylvia Plath, Hillary Clinton and the progressive rock band Yes also have inspired the group. The old school beats are simple, but the rhyme schemes are complex. The group is so esoteric that they name drop "Fast Food Nation" but populist enough to rap about being rappers.

Outkast, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," 5 stars

Perfect for: lovers, haters, schizophrenics, Prince

Some of the songs on this bloated two-disc set are failed experiments. But the ones that work are among the most mind-blowing hip-hop songs of all time. For example, just listen to Andre 3000's huge hit, "Hey Ya." What is it? Rap? Funk? Garage rock? Pop? Whatever it is, it is insane. Even if Outkast's other half, Big Boi, is more conservative in replicating the group's signature sound, he is still creating instant classics.

Mandy Moore, "Coverage," 3 stars

Perfect for: your little sister

It's not the best album of the year by a long shot, but if you can find it for $8 as I did at Wal-Mart, Mandy Moore's covers of Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Blondie, Carole King, Todd Rundgren and others are certainly tolerable. Turning anybody on to these artists instead of teen pop is the best Christmas gift you can give.