A Mix of iMixes

When "Chris" goes on to his great reward, the soundtrack for his sendoff will be ready.

"I thought it would be great fun to create a list of music for my funeral," he writes in the notes for his iMix playlist on Apple's iTunes music download service. "Try it! It's great fun."

"Chris," who offers no further identification, has chosen an eclectic mix. The memorial observances would get underway with Bobby Vinton's "Blue on Blue," but soon take a more raucous and somewhat sinister turn with Helmet's "The Silver Hawaiian" and "Rock Music" by the Pixies. The mood might then chill a bit with music from "Buena Vista Social Club," Nick Drake and "Twin Peaks" theme composer Angelo Badalamenti , then heat up again with Skinny Puppy, the Stone Roses and more Pixies. "Brewster Road," a track form the Chicago post-rock instrumentalists Pullman, would bring Chris's memorial service to a sonic but appropriately subdued close.

Other iMixes are less morbid. But many are personal statements in other ways -- sometimes cathartic, sometimes mysterious and sometimes moving ones about the milestones and the mundane in ordinary, if mostly anonymous, lives. And the iMix notes can be like found poetry. Here is a sampling (the links work only if you have iTunes installed):

Leaving Last Night

"Summer. It's 3 am on highway 94. The windows are open and you're headed west. She's gone. "

I miss you, Jeanne

"$180 never cost me so much."

Unemployed and Bored

"Stuff I listen to while cleaning the house and applying for jobs."

Drifting out to sea on an inner tube (never to return)?

"Also great if you are driving to go visit your parents for the weekend."