Shepizzle

I know that some folks are just dying to hear what Mariah Carey wants for Christmas this year, but that’s not you, right? It’s not me either!

Last year I ordered Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas for my wife and now Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Songs for Christmas is a 5-disc box set representing 5 years of home recordings from Soof with some of your Christmas favorites and several original tracks. This year the set is priced under $20, talk about a perfect gift for your Indie-loving friends. My favorite song is Mr. Stevens’ version of “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”.

Here are a couple of free mp3’s from Sufjan’s Stevens: Songs for Christmas to tide you over until your get it for yourself:

• “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever”
• “Sister Winter”
• “Come On! Let’s Boogey To The Elf Dance!”
• “Get Behind Me, Santa!”
• Stream the entire box set here

And here’s “Put The Lights On The Tree”. Merry Christmas!

Check out the original Sufjan Stevens post too.

One of the great things about Indie music is that it constantly redefines itself and makes you stretch.

I’m just going to throw TV On The Radio out there and you can do what you’d like with them. TVOTR is pretty hard to stuff into just one category; they are a fusion of Indie rock, hip-hop/electronica, and a cappella. I couldn’t even really compare them to anyone, you’ll just have to take a listen for yourself and you’ll see what I mean when I say that it makes you stretch.

TVOTR is a Brooklyn-based quintet that has released two full length albums. I lived in NYC for a few years and their music kind of reminds me of walking down Grand Concourse on a summer day listening to the buzz of the Bronx. The first song I ever heard by these guys was "Staring at the Sun" from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004). It’s my favorite TVOTR song to date. Also, try "Wolf Like Me," the first single from Return to Cookie Mountain (2006).

UPDATE: Head on over to anyone’s guess to hear an acoustic version of “Young Liars”.

Learn more about TV On The Radio:

• TV On The Radio
• TVOTR on Myspace

If you like TVOTR, try: Bloc Party, Califone, Broken Social Scene, Interpol.

Here’s "Staring at the Sun" from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, it’s an oldie but goodie!