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!!!
One of the all-time best Christmas specials has to be How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Only Dr. Suess could capture the holiday spirit with one of the most classic bad guys of all time, the Grinch. It doesn’t hurt that the Grinch has perhaps one of the best theme songs of all time.
For today’s song I chose a cover of the holiday classic by Red Wanting Blue. The band keeps it classic, and for this song I think it’s the best way to play it. You just have to love the grinchiness in lead-singer Scott Terry’s voice as he tears through the song.
So do yourself a favor and try not to be so grinchy this holiday season!
One of my favorite things is finding some awesome new music. The only thing better then finding awesome new music is finding free awesome new music, and that’s exactly what I found when I came across Odeza.
Odeza is consists of producers Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches from Seattle, Washington putting out their own version of lush, chilled out beats layered with perfectly warped vocals. The name of their first (I think it’s his first, can’t find anything else) album is Summer’s Gone, and this is a perfect title. Filled with a bit of melancholy that the end of summer brings, mixed with the beauty of fall that can only be brought in by the end of summer.
My favorite track off the album is called “Today,”, and it’s been on pretty steady play. Pretty much anytime I’ve gotten into my car this week I’ve put it on. It starts with a simple electric guitar riff, and takes it to another level as it starts to build up some steam with the introduction of some processed vocals. It’s definitely a great way to start any day.
So hurry up and get your free download of Summer’s Gone right here, and get your day started off right!
Sufjan Stevens has done it again. Making an epic collection of Christmas EP’s that is.
Entitled Silver and Gold, this collection of Christmas music takes off where Steven’s last collection of music left off, but manages to take it to a whole other level. Using much of the sparse acoustic, bedroom arrangements that have made Stevens a mainstay in the indie music world, but also incorporating all the new elements brought to life on the Age of Adz album. This collection really has a little bit for anybody that is even remotely interested in anything that Stevens has put out.
Consisting of a total of 58 Christmas songs (If you include the cover of Prince’s “Alphabet”), these EP’s help to make Christmas music come to life again for a whole new generation.
On his Bandcamp site it states, “Who can save us from the infidels of Christmas commodity? Look no further, tired shopper, for your hero arrives as the diligent songwriter Sufjan Stevens.” Stevens does exactly that, with the track “Justice Delivers Its Death.” The song serves as a somber reminder to remember that Christmas isn’t about stuff, and maybe to focus on the ultimate gift that was given to us. The salvation, freedom, and hope that Christ coming to a depraved world desperately in need of saving that was brought by a baby in a manger.
Thanks for the reminder Sufjan Stevens, because we absolutely need it!
This morning I was driving on my way to work, when I opened up my Recently Added Playlist on my iPod. I found quite the gem in the form of a track from Italian producer Indian Wells off his Bad Panda Records Release Night Drops.
The track is called “South Beach,” and while it definitely has a laid back vibe to it, it’s not all bright lights and what you’d typically think of with regards to Miami. Instead, it starts off with some trip-hop bleeps leading into some beautiful chords played via synthesizer.
Perfect way to start off a Friday morning free of stress, with whatever the upcoming weekend may bring.
A few years ago, I was listening to Ryan Adam’s album Heartbreaker, and thinking of how awesome it would be if someone made a worship album with an alt. country/folk feel.
Finally, my wish came true and I came across the album Wounded Healer by the Followers. They call their current brew of worship filled with acoustic guitars, steel strings, ect. neo-gospel, and I have to say it is a very fitting.
When listening to the track “Overwhelmed”, I can’t help but be reminded of Graham Parsons. It’s just has such an authentic, vintage feel to it. With some steel strings accenting the flowing acoustic guitar, taking us back to a day when song-writing was more about personal experiences then selling records. Reminding listeners that we all make mistakes, get lazy in our walks with God, and screw up, but Jesus is there to pick us back up as he overwhelms us with his undying long for us.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this album. Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s free here.
With their debut album appropriately titled Distance, friends Cory Nelson, Alan Thomas and Nathan Miller have truly put together some infectious electronic indie pop. What might be the most impressive is that they completed the project while living in three different cities. Sending bits and pieces to each other over the internet a la The Postal Service until the album was complete.The finished project sounds anything but disjointed, as Canopy Climbers really manage to pull off this amazing feat of songwriting/producing.
Of the numerous quality tracks on the album “Painting” is a true stand out. Beginning with a simple keyboard riff and some glitchy beat reminiscent of Radiohead, the song slowly builds into a nice indie pop feel by the time the rhythm section joins in. This only continues to get better with the chorus, as the guys really show the prowess for crafting a real pop gym.
“Am I wasting time thinking everything that I will forgot about? Am I simply lost in the corner of my mind, will I make it out?” is crooned throughout the choruses making the listener wonder what exactly is going through the singers head, and what it is he’s dealing with.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, well it turns out you can download a sample of the album Distances right here. So what are you waiting for, hurry up and check out Canopy Climbers.
Intentional Independent Inspiration 