Cantique de Noël, or The Best Christmas Song Ever

We didn't sing my favorite Christmas song at church today. O Holy Night is such a beautiful classic. The range required is difficult, and if done right, the carol is haunting. No version is nearly as good as a congregation singing it with few instruments backing a multitude of voices, but a man's voice is critical.

Sufjan Stevens "O Holy Night" - Sufjan, I really have mixed opinions about this song. There are parts I love, and then there are parts that grate my ears. I guess that is how holy night was when Christ born, it wasn't all halos and a beautiful baby in a suprisingly clean stable with hay underfoot. Its how Christmas ends up at my house, its happy, then the afternoon is wierd, and then its happy as everyone leaves. The highlight of this song is when the little drummer boy type drums come in to bring this folky song back home. (buy Songs for Christmas)

Anathallo "O Holy Night" - This is one of the only versions of the song that I like that isn't traditional. I especially commend the way they chose to switch between a more rock sound and a more hushed familiar coral voice. One of this band's greatest quality is their ability to make any song an epic, and this is no exception. The trumpet and the rest of the brass add a texture matched by very few innovative versions of Christmas songs. Sure to put any music snob in the holiday spirit. (buy Anathallogy) Ps. they have a funny video on their website...

And because everyone likes it: Rockapella "Carol of the Bells"
(if you look closely, Mary and Joseph are really David and Victoria Beckahm, with Kylie Minouge overhead and others...)

Happy Festivus

Happy Festivus (the holiday for the rest-of-us)!

This holiday was created by Frank Costanza in opposition to the commercialism of Christmas. Let me familiarize you with some events of this wonderful and bizzare holiday.
Snowden "Anti-Anti" (buy Anti-Anti)

The Festivus Pole (buy one here) - Normally, an unadorned alumnium pole is set up in a family room, much like a Christmas tree. Alumnium is used because of its high "strength-to-weight ratio." Some people have begun adding tinsel and garland to their poles in order to make it more cheery, but the more orthodox followers refuse to add anything. Yes, that is the Wisconsin governor with a pole...
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "Heavy Metal" (buy Clap Your Hands Say Yeah)

The Airing of Greivances is a time of reflection. Starting with the eldest person or host, each person at the table gets to tell their fellow celebrants what they did not approve of since the previous Airing of Greivances.
TV on the Radio "Mr. Greives (Pixies cover)" (buy Young Liars)

After the feast, comes the Feats of Strength ceremony. The host normally challenges one in a display of great honor. When the host is pinned, Festivus ends. As a Festivus gift to you, I give you the most Festivus song I made this year: "Sirens"

Finally back to business

I know I haven't posted in ages, but for whatever reasons, I didn't have a lot of time or energy to post. Whatever, I'm here now. and by here i mean home.



And its time to do a playlist. The end of the year is coming up and I gotta follow the crowd and make one.

Here's the first list of the Top ___ season:
Top 5 songs I'm not putting on my Top 25 of 2006 for some reason or another:

5. Lady Sovereign feat. Missy Elliot "Love Me or Hate Me Remix" - My two favorite female rappers in one song? It had to be a hit and I'm sure no fans are dissappointed. There is so much attitude in this track that not even the biggest bitch could put up a fight. Missy is extremely talented and Sovereign is just getting started, and the song feels like it has a bit of both. SOV's part is a bit repetitive and doesn't truly show her skills, but the beat is kinda addicting. It doesn't make the list because its a remix, and I was going to name this the top 5 remixes. Its a good listen nonetheless and a rare female rap duo jem. (buy Public Warning!)

4. Sufjan Stevens "Chicago (Multiple Personality Disorder version)" - Oh Sufjan! How you continue to amaze! However, you made a mistake. This is the song you should have included on Illinoise. The upbeat syncopated rythms are hot. Your ego got the best of you, but its okay, I will not hold it against you. Just make another CD soon with new material. I promise I will not complain if it sounds like anything you've done before. Just hurry so the internet can continue to offer its praises. (buy The Avalanche)

3. Portastic "And I Was A Boy From School (Hot Chip cover)" - I love this cover. Even though it doesn't stray to far from the original (which is awesome), it still has a completely different feel. Scratchy vocals and guitar strings inject emotion written in the original lyrics into the dance hit. It didn't make the list because the original made it and I couldn't make a decision between the two. Forgive me.

2. Nelly Furtado feat. Chris Martin "All Good Things (Unreleased)" - Yeah, this songs been around the block more times than Anna Nicole Smith, but there is a reason. Its gorgeous. I wish this song had been fully mastered and made a secret track on Loose. I remember putting it onto a CD after the first time I heard it and then on the drive, I think I may have gotten teary eyed. Not on my list because it wasn't released. Take that Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, and gang.

1. The Knife "We Share Our Mother's Heath (Ratatat Remix)" - People think The Knife's "We Share Our Mother's Heath" is the best dance track of the year. What? I think Ratatat's "Wildcat" is. Wait, here is a compromise that is synergetic! It retains the scary vocals of the Swedish duo on top of the driving electronic sounds of the New York rockers. If this doesn't make you dance, go listen to some Cher. (buy the Knife's Silent Shout and Ratatat's Classics)