Merry Christmas 2010!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AN YOURS!

from THISisMODERN.net

CD REVIEW: Coldplay "Christmas Lights"

Coldplay has dabbled in Christmas music before, but only covering well known and classic tunes. This is their first endeavour into creating their own timeless piece of holiday magic and they have delivered something that will surely be on Christmas playlists for decades to come. Mixing holiday imagery through the lyrics with Coldplay's signature Brit rock sound, the song is as good as any original song they've released to date. Many great bands have created songs that have become instant holiday classics, and Coldplay has finally created theirs. This is a song that will be covered by many in the future, just as Coldplay covered holiday classics in the past.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In"

Back again with another collection of great holiday tunes, Warner Bros. Records has released the second in their series of Christmas compilations. This time The Flaming Lips are back and they are joined by everyone from Devo and the Goo Goo Dolls to indie rockers Everest and Tegan & Sara. Covering the classics and showcasing original holiday tunes is the theme once again, as we are greeted with yet another compilation of holiday songs that is better than most of the holiday music we are forced to listen to in elevators, in shopping malls, and even on our own car radios. Warner Bros. Records has set themselves up to be true purveyors of fine holiday music, and hopefully this will become an annual treat.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Gift Wrapped: 20 Songs That Keep On Giving"

Holiday compilation CDs are always fun, and this collection takes a new spin on that classic idea. Warner Bros. Records put together a great collection of holiday tracks all in one spot for their fans. Featuring new songs and updated holiday classics, the album has inclusions by The Flaming Lips, Tyler Hilton, Relient K, Jeremy Lister, and even alternative rock superstars R.E.M. This is not your grandma's Christmas music, but it may be just what you need to get through the holiday season with your sanity. Might as well have bands you like singing the songs you're going to hear a thousand times anyway.

CD REVIEW: Dave Barnes "Very Merry Christmas"

Dave Barnes is sometimes underappreciated as an artist. Take note however, as his talent is showcased to the max with the release of his first ever Christmas album. Mixing originals with classic and revamping some popular holiday hits, Dave Barnes pulls out all the stops on this one. He takes on Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" and delivers a version that is second only to the original (first, if you're not a MC fan). His renditions of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" are going to be in heavy rotation at Christmastime each and every year to come. Dave Barnes knows how to make great records, and that goes doubly for making great holiday albums as well.

CD REVIEW: Oh, Starling "Noel"

Back again for more, Oh, Starling has put a new spin on five more classic Christmas tunes. Yet again, Dan and Jessica have proven that two is truly better than one in some cases, and when love and artistry comes into play, music is elevated to a whole new level. They pick up where their previous EP left off, and have delivered yet another excellent collection of holiday tunes. Staying away from creating originals, the duo are possibly the best at consistently reinventing the Christmas classics. It's looking like this is bound to become an annual thing, so looking forward to next year's EP should be very exciting all year long.

CD REVIEW: Oh, Starling "Joy"

Oh, Starling is husband and wife duo Dan Craig and Jessica Sonner. When they aren't busy making incredible music on their own they combine their talents to create some incredible holiday music. Part of the booming Colorado music scene, these folk artists take five classic Christmas tunes and reinvent them with their own personal styles. Any fan of Christmas music needs to add this collection to their annual playlists and allow Oh, Starling to assist in brightening your holidays.

CD REVIEW: Matthew Mayfield "Maybe Next Christmas"

Matthew Mayfield makes a lot of music. This EP is his adventure into the holidays, featuring the title single, which is a heartfelt, yet less than cheery, song about love around the holidays. It's one of those songs that is inevitably classic, but not one that puts you in the holiday mood. You will find yourself craving his voice and his lyrics around the holiday season, as you surely can cuddle up under a warm blanket and lose yourself in his voice. The EP also features a small collection of his other songs, highlighting his incredible songwriting abilities. Matthew Mayfield has embraced the web and new recording technology and truly is giving us all the music that he can possibly create.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 1"

This album is by far one of the best collections of Christmas music out there. Featuring a track from each of the artists on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, and two from Jack himself, the album boasts an incredible array of original, traditional, and covered Christmas music. The entire disc is mostly mellow, but its perfect for the season, even if the title suggests a lack of snow and the probability of no white Christmas.

CD REVIEW: Various Artists "Ten Out Of Tenn Christmas"

The Ten Out Of Tenn compilations are always full of great music by great artists from Nashville, Tennessee who don't always get the love they deserve for their talent and hard work. Well, the artists who brought us the stellar Vol. 2 of the collection have put together a very cool collection of Christmas music. Produced by K.S. Rhoads, one of the performers on the CD, each Ten Out Of Tenn, Vol. 2 artist contributed either an original Christmas song or their rendition of a Christmas favorite. Altogether, it's a pretty outstanding collection that is sure to keep you in the spirit of the season.

CD REVIEW: Chris Trapper "It's Christmas Time"

Chris Trapper has always been a storyteller, and is known for showcasing his very down to earth and relatable life stories through his music. This collection does just that, with a bit of a spin: it's all about Christmas. Chris' cunning lyricism shine throughout the entire disc which is both sentimental and comedic at times. Each song tells a story and as a listener it is easy to connect with Chris and his cast of characters. Christmas music like this doesn't come around too often.

CD REVIEW: Sister Hazel "Santa's Playlist"

Rock and roll and Christmas have been going hand in hand for quite a while and Sister Hazel has stepped in to put their stamp on some Christmas classics, as well as give us a few new tunes. They do justice to a lot of our favorite rock Christmas songs, add a bit of reggae flare to on chilly track and prove that Christmas music is supposed to be fun.

CD REVIEW: Tom Freund "X-mas In Texas"

A short little collection of Christmas tunes, Tom Freund's foray into the holiday spirit is wonderful. He brings his vibe to a few originals an a Christmas classic, connecting his holiday warmth and experience with the listener. He's a remarkable songwriter and shows that no matter the subject or arena, he is able to deliver.

CD REVIEW: Epic Hero "The Amazing, Spectacular, Christmastime Adventures Of Epic Hero"

Pop music and Christmas have shared a stage since the early days of radio broadcasting. Epic Hero's short collection of tunes reminds us that pop Christmas music is fun. Their mix of traditional and original bring new flavor to what we are used to getting from our Christmas music. It's a rarity to find such an awesome collection of holiday music, and the fact that they are an independent band doing it on their own really makes this disc special.

CD REVIEW: Marah "A Christmas Kind Of Town"

The kids in Philly have definitely delivered one of the most fun sets of Christmas tunes ever assembled by a single band. They, of course, do their versions of some great version of some Christmas classics, but its the choice to do some of the less traditional covers that really make this album great. They original tunes are sure to become staples for Christmas music fans and this disc is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your office Christmas party!

CD REVIEW: moe. "Season's Greetings"

The upstate New York music scene would just not be the same if moe. wasn't part of it. Listening to this album of Christmas classics and new original holiday songs has the NY State Thruway going right past everyone's house. The band conveys their Christmas traditions and history with the listener through their signature jam band sound. It really transports you right there to their home town, no matter where you are in the world.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From all of us to all of you, wishing your the happiest holiday ever!