Snow Patrol – “Make This Go On Forever”

The Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”

Sleigh Bells – “Treats”

Frightened Rabbit – “I Feel Better”

I HATE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Why do I hate it? Well, in recent years it has just become a platform for crappy pop stars to keep re-covering the same christmas songs over and over. I don’t need to hear Carrie Underwood sing White Christmas, or Wynonna singing Silent Night, or any big shot artist covering a christmas classic to get me into the spirit.

I think I should stop being such a grinch, and just let the infographic do that talking. So here are some of my favorite original Christmas songs:

1. Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland by Grandaddy
2. Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert
3. Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day (Well, You Deserved It!) by Sufjan Stevens
5. Don’t Shoot Me Santa by The Killers
6. I Hate Christmas Parties – by Relient K
7. Love Came Down At Christmas by Jars of Clay
8. When I Get Home for Christmas by Snow Patrol
9. Xmas Party by Middle Distance Runner

I love Grandaddy‘s rendition of “Walking In a Winter Wonderland,” but that may also be because I’m a fan of The Alan Parson Project. The song features some subtle humor about Parsons, but knowing a thing about him is not required to enjoy the track. Stephen Colbert is getting exactly what he wants with the next song, he has become part of my holiday listening tradition, and it is hilarious. Fans of Arrested Development, Peanuts Cartoons, and The Royal Tennenbaums will recognize the next little gem by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.  Sufjan Stevens put out his giant box set of Christmas music a few years ago, and song #4 is probably my favorite from that whole collection. The Killers’s song about a guy potentially getting murdered by Santa is interesting to say the least, watching the music video is a must. If Christmas time just gets you down, then be sure to listen to the track by Relient K. I love the next song by Jars of Clay, who took an awesome beat and made an enjoyable new Christmas classic. Snow Patrol fans should not be without song #8. I’m a huge fan, and that song is just awesome. And finally, song #9 is by Middle Distance Runner. If you’ve never checked them out, I hope this song drives you to do so.

Okay. I was a bit of a Grinch earlier, but if you examine the chart you will see that there does exist a small sliver of well done covers. So here’s three Christmas covers I do enjoy, and are part of my holiday canon:

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Death Cab for Cutie
2. Holly Jolly Christmas covered by The Format
3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel covered by Belle & Sebastian

These songs may not be original compositions, but I much prefer these to the originals. Death Cab’s version of “Baby Please Come Home” is just great. And a classic from Belle & Sebastian.

I hope you’ve found some new additions to your holiday listening list, and we here at IHYEB wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Why should you switch to firefox instead of using internet explorer? Because the newest version of Internet Explorer is bundled with a nickleback song

NO JOKE.

http://www.ie8-nickelback.com

Oh brother.

Get Firefox!

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by firefox.

Snow Patrol – Set The Fire To The Third Bar

Nada Surf – The Fox

1. Snow Patrol – You Could Be Happy

Smallville Season 6 – “Promise”

I thought this was a great way to open such a pivotal and emotional episode.  The lyrics of this song fit so well and helped move the audience quickly into the emotional state of distress that Clark is going through on the day of Lana and Lex’s wedding. I seriously loved this episode and it wouldn’t have been half as good without this fantastic opening track.

2. Colin Hay – Overkill (Acoustic)

Scrubs Season 2 – “My Overkill”

Scrubs continues to be one of the funniest shows on television.  Even in their eighth season and with a network change  they can hardly create an episode that doesn’t make me laugh.   But the reason I own every season on dvd, is not so that I can watch Dr. Dorian dance in a patient room filled with 99 Red Balloons to the Nena song of the same title (although I can’t help but laugh out loud everytime I watch that scene).  Rather it is because they are not afraid to tackle some of the more serious and less fun aspects of being in a relationship and working in a hospital.  While it is still worth a few laughs, this great opening to the second season is a great example of that.

3. Led Zeppelin – Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

One  Tree Hill  Season 3 – “The Show Must Go On”

I was really disappointed that I was unable to find a video for this one.  I thought it was pretty incredible the way they wrapped up their entire season with this six and half minute song playing in the background.  It doesn’t distract from, but rather adds to the dramatic effect of this cliff-hanging closer.

Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping

Of Montreal – Id Engager (removed 2/13/09)

I haven’t gotten the chance to hear this whole thing, but what I’ve heard I really enjoyed.  And that is coming from someone who hasn’t been much of fan in the past.  Obviously I enjoyed such great tracks as ‘Wraith Pinned to the Mist’ or ‘Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse’.  But I think I might have to go out and pick up this album.

Parts & Labor – Receivers

If you have been keeping up with the blog, you will know that I just recently discovered this band and that my knowledge of their existence doesn’t extend beyond a single track that I posted off of this week’s release. But that track was good enough to earn this album a spot in this feature.

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Brett Dennen - Hope For the Hopeless

Brett Dennen – Make You Crazy (ft. Femi Kuti) (removed 2/13/09)

I have been impressed with this young fellow from the beginning.  He has an incredible voice and seems to have a great heart as well.  He has been doing a lot lately use his influence to help those less fortunate than him.  And fortunately for us, he’s been doing it while making great music at the same time.  Go out and buy this guy’s album.  Ain’t no reason you shouldn’t go out and buy this album.

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns

I absolutely loved Final Straw when it first came out, in fact I still love it.  Although it was way over commercialized, I still was able to enjoy Eyes Open.  But if their first single, ‘Take Back the City’ is any indication of the way their new release is going to go, I don’t think I should even bother.  The song was just tailor made for pop radio and has no substance to it whatsoever.  Just another anthem pop song for junior high boys and girls to sing along pump their fists to.  I hate to see great potential like that go sour.  Here’s to hoping I’m wrong.

Film

Pride and Glory

Edward Norton is the man.  He is easily one of the best actors of our time.  The story for this one doesn’t look too promising, but I will go simply to see Norton’s performance. Boy has this been a sorry year for film.  It seems like I’m just gonna have to wait for Christopher Nolan to give us another addition to his incredible Batman series.

Thanks for reading. Hope your ears and eyes bleed this week.