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.

DVD REVIEW: "Dear & Yonder"

Woodshed Films is known for putting our very artists surf films that feature some of the best surfing and music outside of the spotlight. For the first time, Woodshed Films is releasing a film that showcases the female aspect of the surf community. Picture any of their other films and remove the guys. What is surprising (or maybe not) is that much of the surfing is better than what you may have expected. The soundtrack is also excellent, featuring bands in total obscurity to indie bands like Vetiver and more well known artists like Band Of Horses. The film is beautifully shot and follows some up-and-comers and legends, showing that girls can do anything that guys can. And they even can show it all off in artistic films too!

CD REVIEW: Tina Dico "A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending"

This release is actually a collection of music contained as 3 EPs in box set form rather than one continuous album. That being said, each of the three mini collections have their own sound and feel, making it as if Tina released them separately. As a whole, the collection of music portrays a musical journey, hence the title. As a one time guest vocalist for electronic artists Zero 7, Tina has managed to make quite a name for herself, and although she's not as big in the states as she is overseas, this collection of music shows her range of talent and dedication to her craft. It's the first album that she has released that really showcases artistry rather than just pop singing and songwriting, and that in itself makes the album intriguing and exiting.