Holiday Hash!

Sorry for being so late on the Holiday Hash this year; I kept waiting to get more holiday music in the inbox (hint hint musicians). At any rate, even though in the past I've posted more classic stuff, I hope you'll enjoy this taster of mostly newer tracks:

Last Christmas - The Puppini Sisters [mp3] (iTunes)
Away In A Manger - The Very Most [mp3] (iTunes)
Sleigh Ride - The Late Greats [mp3] (iTunes)
Electronic Santa - Blazer Force [mp3]
This Christmas - The Elves of Heaven [mp3] (iTunes)
God & Me - Kopecky Family Band [mp3] (iTunes)
Frosty the Snowman - Banjo or Freakout [mp3]
Hanuka Dance (Hanukkah) - The Klezmatics [mp3] (iTunes)
It's Christmas - Coconut Records [mp3]
Xmas With The Jews - Elizabeth & the Catapult [mp3]
Christmas Tree - Bewitched Hands [mp3]
A Hard Year - Jon Hardy & The Public [mp3] (iTunes)
Happy Holiday (Beef Wellington Remix) - Bing Crosby [mp3] (iTunes)
I Wish It Was Christmas Today - Julian Casablancas [mp3] (iTunes)

Holiday Hash: "A Simple Prayer"

The household I grew up in didn't worship Christ so much as it worshiped Christmas. I have ecstatic childhood memories of Christmastime: the tree, the decorations, the food, the gifts, and the music. The holiday playlist was heavy on operatic vocal music (livened up here and there by Nat King Cole and John Denver and the Muppets), and Christmas still inspires a magical wonder and awe for me that I find to be best accompanied by reverent music, despite my secular beliefs.

One of my favorite records that my Dad would play was from the Harry Simeone Chorale, who popularized both "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (the latter of which I've just learned was written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missle Crisis). But my guilt-free holiday pleasure is the exultant "A Simple Prayer", which is not about the Nativity but is unabashedly religious nonetheless, with an interpolation of the Prayer of St. Francis. It's also fairly swingin', in a tent-revival sort of way.

A Simple Prayer [mp3] (iTunes)

Holiday Hash - Volume 1

Time for some holiday music - a little later than we normally start posting it this year.

Some old fashioned Christmas goodness: 

Santa Baby [mp3] - The Puppini Sisters ( Amazon / iTunes )

A very contemporary, unique take on a classic (you can get a whole lot more where this came from on their website):  

Jingle Bells [mp3] - Javier Morales/The Dream Scene

A rather dark Christmas song for those who don't like cheery Christmas songs:

Hard Times on 34th Street [mp3] - The Elves of Heaven

And we'll finish with a kinda silly video from Matisyahu for Hanukkah. I have to say, Matisyahu's not a bad ice skater...

Mothers' Day Mixtape

My mother is a punk rocker. She went to concerts a lot when I was growing up. She was even in the "Somebody to Shove" music video by Soul Asylum when I was a kid (just an extra, but I still thought it was pretty cool). Instead of listening to children's music in the car, we listened to great late-80's / early-'90s music like EMF, Nirvana, Midnight Oil and Erasure to name a few of the ones I remember liking the most as a child. And so it is fitting that the mothers' day present she requested of me was a playlist / mixtape. Sorry it's a little late, mom. Here were her requirements:
~Ramones-fast
~No ballads, only exception one or two hooky high drama numbers
~No sensitive singer/songwriters; they've got to rock like they mean it
~No Britney - no exceptions (I like to annoy her by putting Britney Spears on the mix CDs I make for her)
~Released in the last year, unless it is absolutely the perfect choice between two songs
~Must make me want to get out of the car and dance

Here is what I came up with. They don't follow all the criteria perfectly, but I think I did pretty well. Feel free to post your suggestions in the comments:

Dance Floor [mp3] - Apples in Stereo (iTunes / Amazon)

Drumming Song [mp3] - Florence & the Machine (iTunes / Amazon)

Kick Drum Heart [mp3] - The Avett Brothers (iTunes / Amazon)

Mountain Man [mp3] - Crash Kings (iTunes / Amazon)

TV [mp3] - Headlights (iTunes / Amazon)

Western Hospitality [mp3] - Club 8 (iTunes / Amazon)

Luna [mp3] - Fanfarlo (iTunes / Amazon)

The Reeling [mp3] - Passion Pit (iTunes / Amazon)

Strictly Game [mp3] - Harlem Shakes (iTunes / Amazon)

And I offer this last song separately because I feel like I've already put it on one of her mix CDs even though it's not on my list. But I'll throw it on just in case, because if it's not on there, that's a travesty. 

12345678 [mp3] - The Hard Lessons (iTunes / Amazon)

V-day Sampler from The Alternate Root

Here's a V-day sampler from The Alternate Root, since I'm feeling a little too lazy to create one myself today (and no, I'm not a V-day hater, I just thought this picture was hilarious. As is this one...).

Happy New Year!

We had thought about putting The Harlem Shakes in our "bands to watch for 2010" but apparently they broke up in September. Sadness (and weird since they were starting to do pretty well for themselves). But this song is fitting for New Years Eve, as I know a lot of people who have had really terrible 2009s (myself included), and so here's to a better year - a year of financial stability, health, travel, fun, productiveness, "time to waste some time," and bands we like NOT breaking up.

Strictly Game [mp3] - (iTunes)

GFP's Holiday Hash Vol 2: The Indies

Here's our Holiday Hash Vol 2 for all of you hipsters out there who like to listen to bands with names that cause your parents to stare blankly when you first mention them, then repeat the band name slowly back at you before shaking their head and saying "how do they come up with something like that?" Mind you, this is only 12 of the 24 songs I have queued for this holiday genre, so keep checking back for more!

Oh Joseph - Burning Hank [mp3] (myspace)
Holiday (Be Good To Me) - Middle Distance Runner [mp3] (myspace)
I Wish It Was Christmas Today - Julian Casablancas [mp3] (myspace)
Away In A Manger - The Very Most [mp3] (buy their music on indiecater)
The Christmas Song - Owl City [mp3] (iTunes)
Christmas Don't Be Late (Alvin and the Chipmunks Cover) - Rosie Thomas [mp3] (iTunes)
Snow Angels - Boca Chica [mp3] (iTunes)
Xmas With The Jews - Elizabeth & The Catapult [mp3] (myspace)
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - The Raveonettes [mp3] (iTunes)
Winter - Fireflies[mp3] (myspace)
Just Like Christmas - Low [mp3] (iTunes)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Joshua James [mp3] (iTunes)

GFP Holiday Hash Vol. 1 : The Classics

YES! Whip out the cocoa and gather the grandparents, cause its time for the Holiday Classics to begin the GFP Holiday Hash season.

Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms [mp3] (iTunes)
Baby It's Cold Outside - Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting [mp3] (iTunes)
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft [mp3] (iTunes)
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Frank Sinatra [mp3] (iTunes)
Donde Esta Santa Claus? - Augie Rios [mp3] (iTunes)
Christmas Don't Be Late - The Chipmunks [mp3] (iTunes)
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee [mp3] (iTunes)
Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt [mp3] (iTunes)
Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald [mp3] (iTunes)
White Christmas - Bing Crosby [mp3] (iTunes)
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey [mp3] (iTunes)
We Wish You the Merriest - Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians [mp3] (iTunes)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland [mp3] (iTunes)
I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas - The Drifters [mp3] (iTunes)
Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry [mp3] (iTunes)
The Christmas Song - Bing Crosby [mp3] (iTunes)
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Doris Day [mp3] (iTunes)
Christmas Time Is Here - Charlie Brown Christmas [mp3] (iTunes)
The First Noel - Bing Crosby [mp3] (iTunes)

The Very Most

Today in the mailbox we received our first Christmas mp3 submission of the year. Yeah, I know. My initial reaction was "too soon!" but I started to give it a listen to anyway. I was surprised to find myself feeling upbeat and chipper and totally in love with this "christmas" song. The Very Most have been busy this last year penning an EP for each of the seasons, and this addition from the Winter EP is upbeat indie pop full of goodness (ukuleles and a doucaine) and cheer (sleighbells and fingersnaps). Instead of the traditional sappy melody that I attribute with the title below, this is a refreshing bouncy take on the classic. Give them a listen.

Away In A Manger [mp3]

Purchase their EPs on Indiecater

Em's Halloween Mix

Lise posted her Halloween mix, so now I'm going to post mine (and I'm using her collage because I'm feeling, well, lazy). How many of you out there are planning on being Balloon Boy or something based on that theme? I bet there's going to be at least as many this year as there were Sarah Palins AND Jokers combined last year... Anyway, on to the music. Not all of the songs I'm posting are all that creepy (though some are!). Some of them are just really good and have Halloween-themed titles.


The Ghost Inside Your House [mp3] - Cloud Cult - (iTunes)
The Boogie Monster [mp3] - Gnarls Barkley - (iTunes)
Night of the Dancing Flame [mp3] - Roisin Murphy - (iTunes)
Unquiet Grave [mp3] - The Bewitched - (iTunes)
Ghosts [mp3] - Ladytron - (iTunes)
Monster Hospital [mp3] - Metric - (iTunes)
Vampire Lake [mp3] - The Builders & the Butchers - (iTunes)
Zombie Boy [mp3] - The Magnetic Fields - (iTunes)
A Day in the Graveyard II [mp3] - Sunset Rubdown - (iTunes)
Witch Doctor [mp3] - Alvin & the Chipmunks
Ghost Under Rock [mp3] - Ra Ra Riot - (iTunes)
Dragula (Hotrod Herman remix) [mp3] - Rob Zombie - (iTunes) 
Beady Eyes on the Horizon [mp3] - Jukebox the Ghost - (iTunes)
Vampires [mp3] - Matt Jones - (iTunes)
Ghosts [mp3] - Fanfarlo - (iTunes)
Getting Scared [mp3] - Imogen Heap - (iTunes) yes, I know Lise used her too, but this song is a bit creepy too (not to mention old school Imogen), and Imogen is just that awesome

And a suggestion from TMI Tara (sorry Tara, I couldn't find both the songs you suggested):
Walking on Air [mp3] - Kerli - (iTunes)

Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments too!

Halloween Mix : Lise's Picks

It's the time of year again - that magical, innocent time when stuffing your face with sugary goodness until your stomach needs to be pumped and wearing slutty outfits are encouraged (I'm personally brainstorming a slutty dinosaur-riding jesus costume). Whether you plan to throw a party, watch plenty of awesome movies, or just head out on the streets to openly roll your eyes at the plethora of Balloon Boy costumes, you'll want to have some music to get in the spirit of things. Em and I are both doing our own lists this year cause I have more traditional songs in my collection and Em's got more indie flair to dish out, so expect Em's awesome list later this week. That said, here's my top 13...

Zombie Killer (Featuring Elvira) - Leslie Hall [mp3] (iTunes)
The Time Warp - The Rocky Horror Picture Show [mp3] (iTunes)
I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins [mp3] (iTunes)
Nightmare On My Street - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince [mp3] (iTunes)
Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett [mp3] (iTunes)
Cannibal Zombie Mom - Mr. Fab [mp3]
Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra [mp3] (iTunes)
Spooky - Imogen Heap [mp3] (iTunes)
Magic Dance - David Bowie [mp3] (iTunes)
I Put A Spell On You - Nina Simone [mp3] (iTunes)
Ghostbusters - Run DMC [mp3]
They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh! - Sufjan Stevens [mp3] (iTunes)
Thriller - Michael Jackson (not linked, cause quite frankly, you should have this song already.)

Holiday Hash - Labor Day edition

Happy Labor Day! Just out of curiosity, I typed the word "labor" into my iTunes to see what comes up on this beautiful day off and here's what did:

9-5ers Anthem [mp3] - Aesop Rock - Labor Days (iTunes)
Labor (It's a Holiday) [mp3] - Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk (iTunes)

Holiday Hash - Love and Presidents

I know there is an anti-Valentine's day movement astir, but I for one could never hate a day that revolves largely around chocolate and treating yourself to nice things (or being treated by others as the case may or may not be). And since V-day falls this year on the same weekend as Presidents' Day, it makes it a lovely three day weekend for everyone. So I post these songs in honor of this weekend that I hope you all find a way to enjoy, whether you're single or not.

President of What? [mp3] - Death Cab for Cutie - "You Can Play These Songs With Chords" (iTunes)
Love You Madly [mp3] - Cake - "Comfort Eagle" (iTunes)

Holiday Hash pt. 9

Well, we're dwindling down the collection. Would you believe that I still have 149 songs that haven't yet been posted? It's kinda gross, actually.

Frosty the Snowman (Rondo Brothers Remix) - Patti Page [mp3] (itunes)

Christmastime Is Here - Charlie Brown Christmas [mp3] (itunes)

Carol of the Bells - John Williams [mp3] (itunes)

Chanukah Song- Adam Sandler [mp3] (itunes)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer- Jack Johnson [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Silent Night- Frank Sinatra with Frank Sinatra Jr. [mp3]

The First Noel - Bing Crosby [mp3] (itunes)

I Hate Christmas Parties- Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby and David Bowie [mp3] (itunes)

There Are Much Worse Things To Believe In - Stephen Colbert and Elvis Costello [mp3] (itunes)

Holiday Hash pt. 8 - Lets Crank It Up

Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance! - Sufjan Stevens [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Silent Night- Priscilla Ahn [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Joy To The World- Aretha Franklin [mp3] 

So This Is Christmas- John Lennon [mp3] 

Coldest Winter- Kayne West [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

In The Bleak Midwinter - Beth Whitney [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer- Elmo & Patsy [mp3] (itunes)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Judy Garland [mp3] (itunes)

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft [mp3] (itunes)

What Child Is This? - Dar Williams [mp3] (myspace) 

Super Rock Santa- The Fleshtones [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Winter Wonderland - Kate Havenvik [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

How Do You Spell Channukkahh? - The LeeVees [mp3] (myspace) (itunes)

Holiday Hash pt. 7

Donde Esta Santa Claus? - Augie Rios [mp3] 

Jingle Bells - Barbra Streisand [mp3] (itunes)

O Holy Night - Nat King Cole [mp3] (itunes)

Driving Home, Christmas Eve - Frontier Ruckus [mp3] (myspace)

Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms [mp3] (itunes)

Little Drummer Boy - Greg Laswell [mp3]  (myspace)

Someday At Christmas - Jack Johnson [mp3] (itunes) (myspace)

Holiday Hash pt. 6

Hokay. Back in the day, both Em and I watched the television show Roswell,  (the show that made Katherine Heigl an Isabel who fell for an Alex and was frequently visited by the ghost of a past love way before Grey's Anatomy ever did), and of course, right around the holidays they would come up with an episode full of cheer, holiday warmth and tear-felt moments. Because of this scene right here, the one where alien/human hybrid Max heals the cancer kids to make up for the fact that he didn't use his powers to save the man whose ghost now haunts him, this song will forever be one of my favorite holiday songs ever. 

No but really. Low-budget effects aside, the song is gorgeous. 

Calling All Angels - Jane Siberry [mp3] (itunes) 

Holiday Hash pt. 5

The Christmas Song (Jay Rodriguez and Rev Scott Remix) - Mel Torme [mp3] (itunes)

Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt [mp3] (itunes)

All That I Want - The Weepies [mp3] (itunes)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow - Frank Sinatra [mp3] (itunes)

Santa Claus is Coming To Town - Mason Jennings [mp3] (itunes)

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey [mp3] (itunes)

Oh Santa! - VeggieTales [mp3] (itunes)

Holiday Hash pt. 4

Today's hash is gonna be a bit/way smaller due to the fact that I'm outta town and got many christmas-like things to do and very little time to do it in. I'm gonna ask all those who are not familiar with the amazing production of Muppet Christmas Carol to watch the video below, and if you are familiar, I'm gonna ask you to watch it anyway, because its probably the best way to spend 7 minutes of any day. Michael Cane's best performance to date, people.

Scrooge [mp3]

It Feels Like Christmas [mp3]

Some Holiday Music from Em

So Lise has been posting tons of holiday music and I thought I would get in the action and post a few myself.

Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming [mp3] - Feist (iTunes)

(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays [mp3] - Perry Como (iTunes)

The Christmas Song [mp3] - The Raveonettes (iTunes)

Little Saint Nick [mp3] - The Beach Boys (iTunes)

X-mas Song [mp3] - Fireflies (iTunes)

And something a little more... experimental...
Christmas Reindeer - The Knife (get for free from Rabid Records)


share this post on de.licio.us / facebook