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"

Happy Hanukkah

Believe it or not, I'm not Jewish. But Hanukkah is a great holiday. Not only does it represent the rededication of the Temple, its eight days long. True, you may say, there are 12 days of Christmas, but thats Christmastide. Kids get presents for 8 days. I know cause I took Intro to Judaism (Religion 6) this last term (and somehow managed a B)...

So in honor of this and my Jewish friends, I am instituting 8 days of Jews. In my all of my posts until the end of the last candle on the menora, I will include Jews. Most are probably non-practicing, but its a cultural thing you know. Think of how many of you only go to Church on Christmas and Easter. Yes, I'm talking to you.

Starting off are probably the musicians most Jew-youth are proud of: The Beastie Boys.

It may be a little known fact that BEASTIE really stands for Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Internal Excellence.

"Paul Revere" - What kid that likes hiphop doesn't know this famous opening? With simple rhymes and a basic beat, they stormed into the Top 50 on hip hop charts. This song is a classic and should be played at every Bar Mitzvah. (buy Licenced to Ill)

"Girls" - Paying homage to their oldest ancestor, Adam, they declare that all they really want is girls. God gave Adam one as a compainion, and Mike D, MCA, and Ad-rock just wanted ones too. So sophomoric, but incredibly catchy.

" " - Hello Nasty was a real return for these guys as they went back to their proven original sound. I doubt more than a handful didn't agree with this decision. My favorite Beastie Boys song, I used to rap along every time I heard this song. The greastest part comes at 2:33 when Adrock says "Beastie Boys known to let the beat drop".