December 08, 2007

Don’t Mess Around with Those Silly Toys

Public service announcements:

1. Stop by some fine, fine sites to check out their mixes.

Aquarium Drunkard has been sporadically posting Christmas tunes this month, and they’re quite good. Check out that Marvin Gaye song up today!

The Duke of Straw posted his annual Christmas mix over at The Late Greats and it’s fantastic, as usual.

The Leather Canary has some nice mixes.

Any other Christmas sites you like? Don’t worry—you won’t hurt our feelings. Leave a comment and we’ll link to them. Or if you have one of your own, even if it's not Christmas related, just give little ring-a-ling and we'll post.

2. Watch The Wire

And just a reminder—while we post Christmas music during November and December, we keep up with music all year round. In the last week of December, be sure to stop by to see my Best of 2007 lists—books, movies, music, and television. Standard fare—I love lists. My best television show of 2007 wasn’t on any major network or HBO. So, if you’re curious, stop by after the holidays and check us out. But I can already tell you what the best show of 2008 will be: The Wire. While 2007 brought us the finale of The Sopranos (and I liked it, don’t get me wrong), that show doesn’t hold a candle to The Wire. It is at the very least the best television drama of the last decade, filled with stark realism, complex characters, and superb storytelling. The brilliant season four literally made me laugh and cry—it’s the best season of television I’ve seen in my life, and trust me, I’ve seen lots. It’s unfair to call The Wire the best show on television—it’s more than that. This show is on the level of The Brothers Karamazov or Great Expectations. It’s a masterpiece of craft and to anyone who tells me The Sopranos or anything else is a better show doesn’t know jack. This is a major work that demands to be watched. Anyway, if you’re out there and have some time before the holidays, re-up on season 1-4 of The Wire. The fifth and final season premieres on January 6. But I digress.

Onward to tunes! Wish I had the time to write a little something for all of these, but this is a massive sixteen song mix. Of course you’re entitled to listen to them anyway you like, but I’m partial to the order below. Enjoy and see you tomorrow with some more country tunes.

The Holly and the Ivy – King’s College Choir

Last Month of the Year – The Blind Boys of Alabama

Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

Mama’s Twisting with Santa – Mark Anthony

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Arab Strap

In the Bleak Midwinter – Bert Jansch

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley

Father Christmas – The Kinks

Back Door Santa – Clarence Carter

Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas – Carla Thomas

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