Merry Christmas...

ho ho ho...

Ingenuity has never really been one my strengths, so I’m borrowing last year’s title as well as last year’s illustration. I cannot help thinking that this post is somewhat of a contradiction, as I normally don’t shy away from expressing my dislike of Christmas in general. Not that I dislike everything about it, as I’m obviously enjoying the food, the beers (especially) and the days off. But the buying Christmas gifts madness, people “having” to see friends and families (whom we normally don’t care shit about the rest of year), kids acting like little angels etc. make me sick. As if behaving nicely (and spending loads of money on presents) in December gives you the stamp of approval to behave like a dickhead the rest of the year? So yes – I’m no fan and haven’t been since my late teens. That said; I do (of course) enjoy the many great tunes that always pop up this time of year and December offers the annual opportunity (posting them in June probably wouldn't make much sense) to post the best of the new ones as well as some old favorites…

+ I Am Noxious – The Snowman
Apparently published last year, but somehow I missed out on it. About “a snowman and his melting heart” and has a lovely Christmas feel to it!

+ Sleep Party People - Silent Night
Special but really beautiful cover of this ageless classic!

+ I Like Trains - Last Christmas
As I wrote last year: "Finally this classic sounds miserable; exactly as it should!"

+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)
One of my favorite Christmas tracks...

+ Jmo - Santa, If You Do Exist
Murder Mystery frontman Jeremy has recorded this absolutely gorgeous indie pop Christmas song with jingle bells and jangling guitars...

+ Strawberry Whiplash - Santa Needs A Holiday
...and listening to some great guitarpop while on holiday probably won't hurt...

+ Fireflies - X-mas song
More great guitarpop for Santa!

+ One Weekly Gun - One Xmas Song
Check what I wrote about it three years ago. Should have been a classic by now!

Check back for updates tomorrow, the day after tomorrow...etc...

As previous years the post will be bumped to the top of the page when new songs are added…

ho ho ho...

Yawn! So here's yet another Christmas themed post in the blogger universe compiling endless of useless Christmas tunes. Dull I know, but since I promised to post one a while ago, I definitely intend to keep my word. So today (it's the 8th), tomorrow, the day after and so on, I'm going to scan my mailbox, computer, the www etc. for nice Christmas tunes to share (and will do my utmost only to post the real good ones, meaning that I'm probably going to include several from years before). Will also try to share only what's already available for free (or freebies from previous years) since this holiday season is all about giving and not about stealing bread from people's mouths. Please note that whenever new songs are added this post will be bumped to the top!

+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)
In my adult life I’ve never really been a fan of Christmas, but in recent years I’ve eagerly been awaiting the arrival of December, just to be able to listen to this song!

+ One Weekly Gun - One Xmas Song
In a perfect world this would be a seasonal classic and included in every Christmas compilation.

+ Strawberry Whiplash - Santa Needs A Holiday
Wonderful track found on the highly recommended The Matinée Holiday Soirée EP.

+ Viola - Wayne Coyne, Be Our Santa Claus
This has to be one of the best titled songs ever!

+ I Like Trains - Last Christmas
Finally this classic sounds miserable; exactly as it should!

+ TIAC - It's Christmas But Not For You
Another reminder that Christmas can indeed be a miserable time for some...

+++

All I want for...

Finally it’s December; the month of Christmas. And finally the day has arrived where it’s completely ok to start posting Christmas songs and (more importantly) share my wishlist for Christmas. And kicking off with the later, I do think my wishes are once again very modest and reasonable, as the list has been trimmed down to include just one thing; Keira Knightley! Who, when I think of it, has been the only “thing” on my yearly wishlist for the past many years! But despite my humble wish, I have a nagging feeling than I’m in for yet another disappointment. Oh well, you can’t get everything you wish for, I suppose?

So let’s stick to the Christmas tunes instead, and regarding the posting of those, it will be business as usual. Meaning that this will be the one and only Christmas post, which I intend to update (and bump to the top of the page) whenever there are some great Christmas tunes (old or new) to share. This hopefully means that other blogposts published during December will be without any Christmas content whatsoever! I do like Christmas, but too much of anything is never a good thing!

+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)
The main reason for why I’ve been impatiently waiting for December to begin. I love this song and it’s a huge guilty pleasure, which always makes me feel terribly stupid, when I’m listening to it during the summer. But now, for the next 24 days, I can listen to it as much as I like (and that’s exactly what I intend to do), without feeling the slightest bit of guilt!

+ One Weekly Gun – One Xmas Song
Sadly the “gun” has been rather quiet this year, but last year did end with a serious “bang”, when this glorious track oozing of Christmas was published.

+ Tiger Baby – This Christmas
This chilly electro pop tune is another seasonal favorite despite being a somewhat depressing reminder that Christmas isn’t necessarily such a wonderful time for everyone.

+ Remington Super 60 - Here Comes Christmas
If the previous track made you loose the Christmas spirit, this indie pop gem should immediately get you back on track!

+ Irene - Christmas on the Beach
As I wrote last year; "Just imagine celebrating Christmas on the beach. This is probably what it would sound like!"

+ TIAC - It's Christmas But Not For You
Another beauty and another one to remind us all that Christmas can be a rough time for lots of people.

+ Champagne Riot - Xmas Safari
According to the duo they have tried to add a twist of Bach as well as some easy-listening Burt Bacharach to the typical Champagne Riot sound on this year's Christmas single. Die they succeed? Surprised by the number of not so cheerful Christmas tunes included in this mix!

+ Champagne Riot - December Slopes
Last year's Christmas track by Champagne Riot, which was recorded back when the duo was a one-man project. Originally included on the Cloudberry Records release Last Train To Christmas.

It's (almost) Christmas...

If this post looks familiar, it's because I'm taking the easy road here and re-posting last year's post. Broken links have been removed and new comments, songs, links for other compilations etc. will continuously be added until the 24th.

You know it is December when you cannot open your mailbox or check the Myspace bulletins, without seeing the word "Christmas" in the headline of just about every second message. Not that I mind at all, as most of the Christmas tunes I've checked out so far this year have been rather good. But in an attempt to prevent the Christmas songs from dominating my other posts, I've set up this one which I intend to update throughout the month, whenever something interesting pops up.....

The always reliable J.A. recommends these two Christmas lovelies from Sweden...
+ The Garlands - Christmas Song
+ TIAC - It's Christmas But Not For You

+ Betty & the cavaleros - Hey! I'm Your Gift Today + Love Will Come Back To You
These two beauties by this Norwegian constellation could easily soundtrack the next Christmas flick from Disney.

+ The Raveonettes - Come on Santa
Already posted by numerous blogs. But it's probably my favorite of this year's Christmas tunes, so the post wouldn't really be complete without it.

+ Remington Super 60 - Here Comes Christmas
In a few seconds, this one will get you into the right Christmas mood. Can be found on the recently released An Indiecater Christmas compilation.

+ Foxes! - Christmas Songs
Have a lo-fi indie pop Christmas. Versions of 4 Christmas classics are free to download from Last.fm.

+ Carlas - Jul I Havanna
Translated to English the title means Christmas in Havana.

+ She Wants Revenge - Kidnap The Sandy Klaus
If we kidnap him; does that mean that we can have all the presents for ourselves?

+ Aberdeen City - Just Like Christmas
Another band dusts off last year's holiday single.

+ Modern Angels - December
From the free Electric Fantastic Xmas 2006 compilation. Download the Electric Fantastic Christmas 2007 compilation for free right here. Released by generous electronic record label Electric Fantastic Sound. Thanks to J.A. once again!

+ Fireflies - X-mas Song
A short but simply wonderful indie pop Christmas song. Thanks to J.A. for the heads up!

+ Sofia Talvik - Christmas
Christmas doesn't necessarily mean joy and happiness. Still this is a lovely tune by this equally lovely Swede.

+ Sofia Talvik - A Carol For The Lonely
And another lovely and quite melancholic one from the Swedish singer/songwriter.

+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)
This is probably my favorite Christmas song.

+ Tiger Baby - This Christmas
And this is probably number two on that list.

+ Irene - Christmas on the Beach
Just imagine celebrating Christmas on the beach. This is probably what it would sound like!

"The rest":
+ Regina - Näinä mustina iltoina
+ The Swimmers - The Christmas Sound
+ Celestial - saving up her wishes (for another christmas)
+ The Ten Thousand Dollar Tattoo – My First Santa
+ Factory Kids - Father Christmas Still
+ Richard Hawley - Silent Night
+ Soda Fountain Rag - The Christmas Where It Ends
+ Manic Street Preachers - Christmas Ghost
+ Summer Cats - Plastic Christmas Trees

Santas Working Overtime is a great place to find more Christmas related stuff.

Mixed Monday...

The trip to Prague was short, nice but very hard, so this is one tired blogger. Therefore words will be rationed today!!

The job interview went very well and they called me Friday (just before going to the airport) and offered me the job, so I expect to sign the contract tomorrow. I'll soon post more about this and the expected consequences for the blog.

Manic Street Preachers are giving away their Christmas single Ghost of Christmas (though it's named Christmas Ghost when you download it). Download it for free right here.
+ Ghost of Christmas

The lovely people in Oliver North Boy Choir are giving away four previously unreleased tracks. This backwards version of Baby Cool is a bit odd, but also surprisingly catchy.
+ Baby Cool

Us With Millions (another favorite band) has recorded yet another brilliant track and is once again giving it away for free. Consider this a small Christmas gift from the three lads!
+ Now, That's Common

Speaking of Christmas. Below links for two very nice seasonal songs from the inbox. Look forward to a lengthy compilation post of Christmas tunes very soon.
+ Robbers On High Street - Seasons Greetings
+ The Swimmers - The Christmas Sound

Numbers and figures…

First of all; lots of thanks to all of you who has wished me good luck with the interview today. It’s much appreciated! As some of you might now already I work as a financial controller, so obviously I have a fascination for stats, trends etc., so here are a few numbers for you!

YAY! As the chart shows, November will be the most successful month in the history of the blog. The average number of visitors in November so far is 589/day compared to 485/day in October. That's an increase of 21%!

My Google Ads experiment continues being a disaster. So far I’ve earned US$ 3.40, and since I’m not allowed to encourage people to click the ads (or click them myself), it will probably take more than a year before I’ll see any money (have to reach US$ 100).

BOXSTr has improved its service significantly. First of all the bandwidth has been extended to 1.0 GB/day and your account isn't reset until you reach the limit. This means that if you only used 0.8 GB yesterday you can use 1.2 GB today. They also have started to count the number of views/downloads and I have to admit that I'm surprised to see how many times some songs have been downloaded. I've always thought that a 100 downloads of a song would be a success. However this new stat shows a completely different picture, as most of the songs have been downloaded at least 200 times! This is the top 5 of the most downloaded tracks (number of downloads in brackets).
1. The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson (424)
2. The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me (317)
3. Sia - Electric Bird (302)
4. Andrew Boland - Bird On The Wire (282)
5. Moving Units - Pink Thoughts (266)

Last night I posted a Myspace bulletin recommending two of the bands I wrote about yesterday. If I’m lucky 5 people has read it and actually visited the blog to check them out, which just proves how superficial Myspace really is. Calling it “friends” is a joke.

The Christmas songs have started to find their way to the inbox and I plan to post a longer list of freebies sometime next week. But here are two new ones received today.
+ The Ten Thousand Dollar Tattoo – My First Santa
"it's an indie-folk xmas song, dealing with the theme of losing the person who taught me about the spirit of giving...."
+ Mink – Little Drummer Boy (Girl)
"Sounds like: Santa Claus meets The Sex Pistols"

Sorry, but cannot resist posting three of my favorite Christmas tunes. All of them will show up next week in the Christmas post mentioned above.
+ Tiger Baby - This Christmas
+ Celestial - saving up her wishes (for another christmas)
+ Liam and Me - Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas)