New Years Playlist

I can’t believe another year is done.  It seems like the older I get, the faster the time flies.  So today for a New Years Eve playlist I thought I would reflect on some songs from the past, and throw in some new ones for 2013 and the year to come.

This is more of  a kind of kick back and reflect on the year that was, and prepare for all that a new year offers.  New opportunities, new challenges, and new chances to better the world around us.

Happy New Years, and I hope the new year offers you grace, love, and courage.

Top 5 Albums of 2012

Now that Christmas is over I thought I’d finally get around to putting together a Best of 2012 list.  This is my top 5 albums, in no particular order.  I also picked one of my favorite tracks from each respective album.  These five have been on heavy rotation for me much of the year, in a year filled with some great releases.  Hope you enjoy!

Tanlines – Mixed Emotions

Japandroids – Celebration Rock

Loud Harp – Self Titled

Teen Daze – The Inner Mansions

Beach House – Bloom

25 Days of Christmas, Christmas Day

I am finally at the end of my journey, successfully sharing 25 different Christmas songs.  Hopefully you’ve enjoyed some of the songs, and found some new holiday classics.  Today I’ve got a Christmas classic remixed by DJ Serafin, and it’s a free download!

So today, enjoy your family and friends, and remember the real reason for Christmas was an absolutely self-less God who came to earth to save us from ourselves.

Merry Christmas!!!

 

25 Days of Christmas, Christmas Eve

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already Christmas Eve.  These past 23 days have gone by so fast.  I think there’s something crazy that happens to the time contiuium in December, forcing time to travel faster.

Anyway, I’ve got some Civil Wars for your to enjoy on your Christmas Eve.  It’s “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”  Such a pretty song, and the Civil Wars strummed acoustic guitar and beautiful harmonies are perfect for this song.  No glitz, no jingle bells, just some alt. country style Christmas.  Perfect song for cozying up by the Christmas tree with your loved ones, which is exactly what I plan on doing tonight.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 23

Another version of “Silent Night.”  Today it’s from master of chill wave Teendaze.  This kind of reminds me of his song “Harvest,” lush with lot’s of beautiful synth, but nothing to make this sound artificial.  Still holds true to the meaning of the song, focusing on the beauty of Christmas.  And it’s a free download, Merry Christmas Teendaze.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 22

We are in the home stretch to Christmas, with only three days left.

Today’s tune is is the Shin’s covering Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.”  The original is definitely one of my favorites, and the Shins really do it justice.  Making sure to still keep the song fun as James Mercer put’s that folky/poppy Shin’s spin on the song, and it really works.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 21

It just isn’t quite a sleigh ride without some distorted guitars and some out of control drums rocking you through a crisp winter morning.  That is if you like your sleigh ride to be more like a crazy fast roller coaster.

Thankfully, August Burns Red provided exactly that with their rendition of “Sleigh Ride.”  You especially have to love their traditional breakdown right in the middle of the song, as they go right back into thrashing through the track.  While this might not be for everybody, it would definitely be fun to jam super loud while doing doughnuts in your 4×4 in the snow.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 20

I know it’s almost the end of the day, but I haven’t forgot Day 20 of 25 Days of Christmas.

Today I’ve got a track from the indie rock band Hey Rosetta!  It’s called “Carry Me Home,” and it’s the bands own unique flavor of Christmas songs.  They have recently released a collection of holiday tracks you can get for free off their Noise Trade Page.  They have opted to do things their own way, and “Carry Me Home,” is a great example of it.  A little bit folk, a little bit indie, but all Hey Rosetta!  It’s a fun upbeat track, with plenty of oh’s to sing along with.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 19

Last night, my wife and I went to my son’s very first Christmas Pageant for his pre-school.   He did a fantastic job, and we were so proud of him.  Afterwards my wife and I were talking about how it really made us feel like parents.  It’s kind of crazy how all things in life come full circle, as my wife and I are watching our son grow up.  Time really does fly.

In honor of my son Max, I’m posting an acoustic version of “Silent Night,” since that was one of the songs they performed last night.  This version is by a New York band called Lion In the Mane.  You can download a bunch of their takes on some Christmas classics right here.

25 Days of Christmas, Day 18

Just found this cover, of The xx performing “Last Christmas.”

It’s definitely a stripped down version compared by the original song by Wham, but that’s a good thing.  It almost feels like The xx should have written the track, as they really do a lot more with the track.  I especially like the bass running through the track, with the nice synth breakdown.

I’m pretty sure many songs would be much better if performed by The xx.