Free mix of Scene & Heard's favorite songs of 2007. (zip file of 19 mp3s)

It's tough to say where music is at right now. There isn't really one landmark scene that has velcroed itself to this decade's generation. Instead, the musical landscape has settled into this big boiling crock pot of everything that was once big and exciting, with some minor hits here and there, but nothing sweeping the world up into an all-engulfing frenzy storm of noise and excitement. Think about it. When was the last time you got truly excited about a song you just heard?

The closest mainstream has gotten is the slick electronic pop/hip hop storm fanned by stars like Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Kanye--but all they're really doing is creating aural collages of rock, funk, punk, soul, r&b and hip hop; or pop with more ingredients and spice. Nowhere is there a song from some young unknown with a rallying cry to round up a generation of young souls looking for that voice that speaks directly to them. Most people making music today are just trying to 'be cool' or look cool. What we need are some new loud songs that make some real noise. Ones that crunch, bang, smash, and clobber everything your parents value. Songs that don't attempt to "be" cool, but just ARE cool.

Compiled here is a mix of some of Scene & Heard's favorite songs released in 2007. This is what Scene & Heard sounded like all year long. They aren't exactly the sort of songs I've been talking about here, but they're all steps in the right direction. They're all songs that share this same hunger and fire, from across all genres. From pop to hip hop to rock to gentler acoustic ditties. These are songs that want to shatter the world of music into billions of tiny little pieces, even if they didn't do it this year.

I've uploaded all 19 songs as a whole zip file for your convenience. Enjoy. Share your thoughts in the comments. (all songs are used here for promotional purposes. If you like what you hear, please support the artist, and buy their stuff. If you represent the band or label these songs come from and wish to see them removed, please email me and they will be removed from the mix immediately.)

1. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
Hands down, anthem of the year, if not the decade. It's like the "Stairway To Heaven" of 21st century dance funk.

2. Against Me! - New Wave
What sort of fiery underground punk band signs to a major label and flips off anyone crying "sellout" with lyrics like "We can be the bands we want to hear"? Green Day and The Clash come to mind. This song is 2007's rallying cry for something new.

3. Modest Mouse - Dashboard
Somehow, Isaac Brock enlisted ex Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr for the new Mouse album. What resulted was a fiery and bombastic album with excellent songs like this one about everything going down the flusher, but things will be okay because we still got our music.

4. Spoon - Underdog
There is no one writing catchier pop music in the indie music scene than Spoon. And this brassed up swinger is proof why.

5. Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running
This anthemic song will ignite you. This could have fit on U2's Joshua Tree and may have even stolen the show. This group could become one of the most important bands of the rest of the decade.

6. The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
This is one of those songs that gets everyone shouting along in unison, waving big glass mugs of beer around when sitting at the bar with their mates. But even if you're sober, it makes you feel drunk.

7. Mark Ronson with Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Vintage soul made a little comeback this here ala tabloid trainwreck Amy Winehouse. But her best cut came from Mark Ronson's record of covers by reworking The Zutons' rocking anthem into a brassy funkfest of awesome.

8. Brand New - (Fork And Knife)
This was released in the form of digital single this year and is one of my favorite tracks to come from their "Devil and God..." sessions last year, but you can see why it was left off the album; Too beautiful a song to be on such a dark album.

9. Minus The Bear - White Mystery
With their latest album, "Planet Of Ice" The Bear did more than write songs about being cold and lonely. They actually make you FEEL cold, and a little lonely. Some of the most beautifully haunting songwriting of the year, right here.

10. Cassino - Old Year
This album was completely self-released, and is truly one of the year's hidden gems. And songs like this upbeat one are proof why.

11. Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home
Who knew the wolf-like howler of Thrice had some Johnny Cash in him? There may be no other song in existance that lyrically illustrates the ultimate definition of love.

12. The Redwalls - Game of Love
This song gave me the same feeling "Hey Jude" gave me when I first heard it. I shouldn't have to say anything else about it.

13. SloMo - How Do We Win The War?
One of the year's most memorable songs came from one of Philly's most dynamic groups, led by slide-guitarist wizard, Slo-Mo and rapper Mic Wrecka. Wrecka usually handles vocals, but Slo-Mo took over on this one for this yearning gem of a song.

14. Kanye West - Everything I Am
While there are lots of great fun songs to pick from Kanye's catalog, this slower laid back jam is as honest and definitive as they come. It's a tribute song, to everything he isn't, because that's what made him what he is. When a performer can say that, and make a beautiful song out of it, that's when he's gone from performer, to artist.

15. Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
But don't worry, I didn't forget about hip hop. Shows hip hop can still be wholesome, awesome, and frightening. As opposed to lame, substanceless, and a complete mockery of all hip hop was when it first blew up.

16. Radiohead - Reckoner
It was good to hear Radiohead throw in some of the most propulsive rock songs they've written in years on the headline-making "In Rainbows." But it was this gorgeous little diamond that stole the show. Who else could write a song that makes you ache, and stand in sheer amazement at it's lush perplexity and beauty.

17. Meredith Bragg - New York
I heard an earlier version of this song on a compilation 2 years ago, and I began an immediate Bragg fan. It finally found a home on his solo record this year, and it's just as perfect now as it was then.

18. Bright Eyes - I Must Belong Somewhere
I began this year wanting to be anywhere but here. So then, I went to Europe for a month. Then I came home and made plans to move to Florida. And before moving, I drove my brother out to Colorado and spent the 2 following weeks on the road, living in hotel rooms and my car. Then things fell through with Florida and I ended up back here, at home. It was an amazing journey of a summer, but it taught me that everybody and everything belong somewhere. I think I fit pretty nicely around here. So here is where I'm staying. For now, anyway. And this song helped me along the way.

19. Wilco - What Light
Bummed? This song will change that.

Sorry pals and pallettes; I've had some issues uploading the 2007 mixtape I promised. but I finally have it set, and will have it up a little later today.

But in the mean time, here's an amusing shirt.

Sometimes I feel like I'm tangled up in rolls and rolls of film reel here at work.

A lot of us here at The Mercury watch a lot of movies, and consequently wax our thoughts about them together like we're Ebert and Roeper or something. So it's only right to include The Merc's most enthusiastic film buffs (and buffettes) in choosing this year's finest films to grace the big screens, from cult-creating classics, to bloody monster fests, to massive money-raking blockbusters. Everything you should have seen, is here.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Mercury's panel of film enthusiasts and their favorite flicks of 2007:

Bill Coldren's picks
1. Live Free or Die Hard - As a faithful follower of John McClane, I was totally satisfied with this latest installment.


2. 28 Weeks Later - A ghoulishly tantalizing tale following the under-the-radar smash hit "28 Days Later." The thought of total wide spread chaos throughout the world has always been as appealing as slowing on the highway to view an accident.


3. 300 - This movie is a must-see.


4. I Am Legend - Will Smith has developed into a fine actor. This movie was well done.


5. Superbad - Nothing explains teen angst quite like this movie. I enjoyed the ride.


Kim Toth's picks
1. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street -- Bloody good!! Tim Burton at his best!


2. 300 -- Graphically amazing! And a good story too (even if it fudges the truth a bit). Should easily win an Oscar for best special effects and/or art direction. (It's got my vote for Best Costume too!)


3. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End -- Tall ships blasting each other into oblivion, and Davey Jones, Barbosa and Sparrow -- 3 of the best summer blockbuster movie characters ever ... Arrrrgh!


4. Eastern Promises -- here's my pick for drama. If you liked The Departed, give this Russian mob flick a try.


5. 1408 -- A Stephen King story done right on the big screen. Scary, intriguing and keeps you guessing to the end.


Honorable Mention: American Gangster, Superbad, 28 Weeks Later, Ratatouille and Planet Terror.
Forgive me, I didn't see: I Am Legend, Atonement or No Country for Old Men, which I hear are all excellent.
Most looking forward to in 2008: The Dark Knight and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Chris March's Picks
1. Superbad - Sure, it's about some high school friends expending all their energy on getting drunk, as well as their rocks off; it's not revolutionary storytelling. But when you dress up a truly meaningful flick about friendship and growing up with complete nonsense and dirty hilarity like Judd Apatow did here, you have done more than make a movie that will disgust your mom. Beneath the dirt, this movie has a real vibrant heart and tells a strong "coming of age" story. And yet, there's to much great comedic banter to take it too seriously. That, my friends, is top-notch movie-making genius. And who knew a movie could actually make van Halen's "Panama" sound so stinkin' good? And of course, McLovin is easily the most memorable character of the year.


2. I'm Not There - A movie about Bob Dylan, where they never mention the name "Bob Dylan" in it? Yeah. A movie where 6 magnificent actors, including Cate Blanchett, all play different eras of Bob Dylan? Yeah. A movie with a whole treasure trove of Dylan music, covers and originals? Yeah. Sounds pretty weird, doesn't it? Yeah. Well, it totally works, and is probably the most accurate way to tell a story about a man who is made of countless stories, fictional and non-fictional.


3. Spiderman 3 - It wasn't Spiderman 2, but it certainly wasn't bad either. The Spidey Trilogy is to me what Star Wars is to all you Lucas nuts, if not more.


4. Transformers - Hands down, the blockbuster of the year. Old school Transformers fan boys dug it, and massive audiences dug it. When was the last time something like that happened?


5. Zodiac - David Fincher directed a movie about a puzzling killer we've never caught. Need I say more?


As you can see, I'm a bit of a kid when it comes to movies. I'll always be a sucker for the coming-of-age teen comedy ripe with filthy humor, and the comic book movies. Across The Universe and Aqua Teen Hunger Force the movie are also worth some mentioning.

Coming Tomorrow: free downloadable mix of Scene & Heard's favorite songs 0f 2007

For a few years now, there has been this misguided notion that music is dieing. But don't confuse the business part of "the music business" with the music, because music is alive and well and getting along just fine. There may be no more smash blockbuster albums flying off shelves the way N*Sync and Beatles records used to, but think about how many kids have iPods and how much music they got packed in those little things. For a world that has so much going on at once nowadays, think about how prevalent music continues to be. The songs are still out there, my friends.

The art of the ALBUM, however, isn't doing quite as well. Songs have become the new albums. The power to choose songs only has come along with the listener's newfound power and control over what they listen to. So the albums I'm about to highlight aren't the ones that were packed with the most hit singles or most delectable tunes. These are full, bullet-proof albums that were perfect in songwriting, song order, packaging, and zeitgeist timing. These aren't albums that I found and liked, but albums that searched me out, swallowed me, and spit me out as a different dude than I was before I heard these songs or held their artwork in my hands.

Ladies and gentlemen, the five finest albums 2007 gave us;

5. Meredith Bragg - Silver Sonya
Headphone record of the year. Mr. Bragg ditched his band, The Terminals, for this one-off solo record, and it resulted in one of most dynamic, yet simple performances all year. Sonically, it's the reincarnation of Elliott Smith; sad, hopeful, blissful, scathing, heavy and gentle, all at once. Sync up tracks like "New York" or "Twin Arrows" and you won't be sure if you should be sad, or ecstatic for the rest of your life to unfold. If the future holds more records like this from Bragg, however, consider me ecstatic.
website
purchase

4. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
One of the year's funkiest dance records to get down to with your bad self. Oddly enough, it's also one of the solidest records of the 21st century. James Murphy packs it all into this 8-song set. From the best song you'll hear all year (the anthemic "All My Friends") to massive blasts of shiny groove ("Someone Great" and "Time To Get Away") to punky hip-shakers ("Watch The Tapes") to goofy piano ballads ("New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down").
Listen
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3. Against Me - New Wave
This explosive record is this decade's equivalent to Nirvana's "Nevermind" and Green Day's "Dookie," or even The Clash's self-titled debut. The formula is the same; an angsty group of dudes become ignited by a generation gone bored, crank their amps up, tune their guitars to snarl, and let the mud hit the fan. It's not a cry for attention, but for connection, which so many young breaking artists screw up. When fluid records like this come along and work this genuinely well, it's rare. And with the state we're all in right now, this was the album 2007 needed. Thanks Against Me for stepping up.
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2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
The underground indie music scene has coughed up a massive band with a massive sound that could easily become the biggest band in the world. This 2nd-full length of theirs is a strongly cohesive set of songs that serves as a solid 'state of the union,' stirring up a heavy sense of disillusionment with everything from music to patriotism to religion. Take U2's Joshua Tree and splice it's dominant genes with Bruce Springsteen's finest recordings and this fantastic album would be the result. It gets a little murky at times, but explosive songs like "Keep The Car Running" and "Windowsill" will keep you spinning over and over again, finding new things in every song with every listen.
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1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
One of the unfortunate things about being Radiohead is that BEING Radiohead overshadows the fantastic records Radiohead put out. They're like the Bob Dylan of alt-rock. And this is probably more true this year than ever before. They got everyone abuzz about what they're doing WITH their music when they put this album on their website for people to download at the price of their choosing, which many opted to do for free predictably. Fortunately, the music itself holds it's own quite well against all this 'changing the system' talk. In fact, it's the most perfect record of their career, running the stylistic gamut of adrenaline-laced alt rock ("Bodysnatchers" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"), soft soothing jazzed-up numbers ("House of Cards"), and achingly gorgeous songwriting ("Reckoner" and "Videotape"). Yet, every edge of every song fits perfectly together with every brushstroke of the artwork and every detail of production, painting the band's masterpiece of the decade, if not of their career. If you didn't download it when you had your chance, it will be commercially available on Jan 1... so record of the year for 2008 as well? Let's see what 2008 has in store, but I wouldn't be surprised.
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Honorable Mention: The Shins - Wincing The Night Away, Kanye West - Graduation, Bright Eyes - Cassadagga, Minus The Bear - Planet of Ice, Cassino - Sounds of Salvation, The Fratellis - Costello Music
Come back tomorrow for TOP FILMS OF THE YEAR. I'll be joined by my panel of Mercury staff film enthusiasts.

It's been said many times, many ways. But not many say it the way The Muppets do. I present to you, in full, my favorite holiday special of all--The Muppet Family Christmas. Hard copies of this on DVD are so rare, they fetch about 100 bucks these days. But it's here on Scene & Heard, for you. Unfortunetly, it's in 5 separate parts.

Oh, and watch out for that icy patch.

So everyone, gather round the computer screen, cuddle up, and enjoy. Merry Christmas.

Not only has The Killers new Christmas song about a troubled kid bargaining with Santa Clause for his life become an instant favorite of mine, but the video also stars Zach Galifianakis as a pyscho Santa Claus residing in the hot dry heat of Death Valley. Dig it, friends. And Merry Christmas, from Scene & Heard and all your pals at The Mercury.






Stop by later today between last-minute gift wrapping and caroling for a Christmas family favorite which I'll be putting up. You can gather 'round the computer with your family and open presents together, it'll be great.

While it's already been announced that Peter Jackson will produce The Hobbit films, Sam Raimi is in serious talks to take the director's chair. If this happens, that means the 2 fellas responsible for the 21st century's 2 biggest trilogies (Spiderman and Lord of the Rings) will be crossing streams for the world's return to Middle Earth for the adventures of Bilbo Baggins. Raimi would be perfect considering he can pump out exceptional blockbusters, but also dark cult classics, like 1981's Evil Dead. Sign me up for the stoked list.

Jackass 2.5 is now up for your viewing pleasure, FREE. It features left over footage from Jackass 2, as well as some new stuff. Consider it the ultimate YouTube video.

Jack White of the White Stripes recently kinda-jokingly, but not really, said The Stripes may take a cue from the post-Revolver Beatles (and XTC) by quitting touring altogether and exist only as a studio band. After they chocked up some of the coolest live sets earlier this year by playing in bowling alleys, on moving buses, and boats on the water? Don't do it Jack..

The Zeppelin reunion tour rumors continue to fly, as The Police reunion tours did exactly one year ago. But nothing is official until it is official.

Hawthorne Heights' guitarist recently passed away in his sleep, and the autopsy report indicated it was a result of accidental prescription medication interaction, and has not been ruled as suicidal or an overdose, just an unfortunate combo.

The Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame's class of 2007 has been announced. Madonna, Leonard Cohen, The Ventures, The Dave Clark Five and John Mellencamp. But... still no Stooges? Seriously guys..

And if you haven't heard, The Matrix guys are finally back in the game, with SPEED RACER. Check out the trailer here. It's dope.

I think I realized my favorite word of the year last night. We've seen it all year long in gossip stories about J. Lo, Jessica Alba, and Christina Aguilera.. But last night, it broke into the mainstream news media and made me realize it's the ultimate word of 2007. Drum roll please...

"Preggers"

It was on CNN last night as a headline about the teen pregnancy of lil' Britney Spears -- "Britney's lil' sis is preggers." PREGGERS!? In big bold print on CNN! I don't make this stuff up.

For an 'official' definition of preggers, here's what the Urban Dictionary has to say about that (#6 being my favorite).

I don't even know what the biggest story here is now. Whether the famous kid sis has now joined the growing stable of hollywood trainwrecked starlets with her big sis or whether "the most trusted name in news" is dipping into words like "preggers."

Be sure to check back here frequently between Christmas and New Years, I got lots of great stuff lined up to wrap up the great "oh seven." And of course, there will be plenty of other random posts sprinkled around.

Wed Dec. 26 / Scene & Heard's top 5 albums of oh seven

Thurs Dec. 27 / Scene & Heard's top films of oh seven - The Mercury's hard-knuckled staff of film aficionados will all wax off their 5 favorite flicks of the year.

Fri Dec. 28 / Scene & Heard's top songs of oh seven mix - a free downloable mix featuring the most treasured songs to swing through Scene & Heard's main office this year. Don't miss this! It's free (and legal) tunes!

Mon Dec. 31 / Scene & Heard's Year In Review - We Came, We Scene, We Heard, We Conquered

Wed Jan. 2 / Scene & Heard's 2008 Preview - Reasons 'Oh Ate' Will Be Awesome!

(something you'd like to see on these lists that you think I'll be completely ignorant of? Sound off in the comments folks!)

If you're thinking of getting me a Christmas gift this year.. here's a last minute tip for you.

Boys II Men will be returning home for a show in January with Angie Stone. Yeah, I said it. Boys II Men. Motown Phillay back again.

Does that make me weird? No. It makes me honest. You know you wanna go too. Go ahead admit your love and affection for them. No one's looking. They are like The Beatles of 90's R&B. (The Philly soulsmen are afterall, one of only 3 artists ever to replace themselves at the number one spot with a hit single, joining The Beatles and Elvis.)

And if you've been watching VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90's" this week as intently as I have, you're probably a bit perplexed to not see any Boyz II Men songs yet. Surely, they're saving "End Of The Road" for the top 10... If not, I may boycott one of the only channels I watch for a while. You hear me VH1?! I'm calling you out!


Audio: Meredith Bragg - Silver Sonya (the ghost of Elliott Smith is alive and well in Bragg, incredible record)
Video: The Muppet Family Christmas (I may have a Christmas gift for you up my sleeve)

After shotty drawn-out bickering over who can make a movie and who can't, New Line has come to terms with Peter Jackson to make the famed Lord of the Rings prequel, "The Hobbit" (that's the one about Bilbo Baggins, and is totally Frotto-less).

Announcement was made public today. And they have something to work for now with I Am Legend nabbing the #1 opening weekend box office in December ever last week from Lord of The Rings' "Return of the King."

But Jackson is only attached to produce, and no director has been announced. It will be a 2-movie production that will likely be shot simultaneously, much like the original trilogy was under Jackson's direction. The movies are set to release 2010 and 2011, so looks like we'll start the decade off on the right feet with film, yes? That's crazy to think about considering The Hobbit was first published 1937. My parents weren't even a glimmer in my grandparents' eyes.

Jackson was just here in Royersford 2 weeks ago filming another adaption of another popular novel, The Lovely Bones. We can't seem to get enough of this dude.

The year is ending, so we're taking stock, starting with the year's finest music videos. And while pouring through video after video last night thinking about this, I wasn't looking for the TRL sorta junk heap. Not like you would see a whole music video if you turned TRL on these days anyway, but you catch the drift. Reality TV killed the music video star. But YouTube has given a little bit of a stage back to the art of the video, so this year was full of some great ones.

The following are fine pieces of film mixed with some excellent tunage, but are selected solely for the video treatment and the way it works with the song, not for 'hawt' singers or how good the song may or may not have been.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Scene & Heard's favorite musical videos of 2007. Please, enjoy and feel free to toss your 2 cents into the hat. 2 girls, 1 cup did not make the cut..

5. LCD Soundsystem - "All My Friends"
Naturally, the best song of the year should have one of the best videos of the year. And any song that can hold your attention for 7 minutes, 42 seconds with a single-take shot for a performance video deserves such accolades. The slow climactic build of the video is epic. Not to mention, James Murphy looks like something out of Tron. Wicked! Sadly, neither the song nor the video really crossed over into the mainstream.




4. Rjd2 - "Work It Out"
Remember that Fatboy Slim video with Christopher Walken? Well this isn't as good as that, but it's close, with some dude dancing all over the city on crutches with more suave and mojo than any of those "Dancing With The Stars" hacks. Don't try these moves at home. Not to mention, RJD2 is a hip-hop hometown fav in Philly. Dig on that.




3. Feist - "1,2,3,4"
You probably recently caught this on iPod Nano commercials, but forget that. I even want you to forget that the song is undeniably charming. The awesomeness of the video overshadows everything else about it. It's probably the single greatest one-take choreographed video ever! From the cleverly moving camera to the moves, it's perfect. Try not to smile. Dare ya!



2. Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible" (elevator performance)
This is not an official video for the title track off of the Arcade Fire's masterpiece album released early this year. But this performance of the entire band crammed into an elevator shows why they're one of the more clever and most important bands making noise today. Seriously, who would have thought tearing paper made for fine percussion? I want to step into an elevator like this at some point..



1. Mute Math - "Typical"
This seems to be the year of awesome one take videos. But this one even defies the laws of physics. The band learned, practiced, and performed the song BACKWARDS for this video. This is the coolest thing you'll see all year. Even better than 2 girls 1 cup..

The best part about this weekend's release of "I Am Legend" wasn't the Gollum-meets-Frankenstein zombies. Nor was it Will Smith's graying hair or odd fascination with Shrek. It was the new trailer for Dark Knight featuring lots of tasty footage of the new joker, Heath Ledger.

Doubters, prepare to hate yourself. Ledger masters a wildly manic and deranged villain that is sure to color the revamped Batman film series the way Jack Nicholson colored the first Batman. Dark Knight has become the most anticipated anything for me in 2008. Peep the trailer below, and let me know what you think.

Has this epic Hollywood writers strike got you down? Lost's next season is in danger of being cut short.. every talk show worth watching has been shut down (and no, Carson Daily is certainly not worth watching)..

All we can do is sit back and watch bad reruns of bad reality shows. Or watch YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE WRITERS STRIKE! This video about our beloved writers might tide you over till the people in charge of our entertainment stop arguing cents and start making sense again. Enjoy.

Looks like the movie industry is taking notes on the music industry.

Radiohead's 'pay what you want for our new album' approach to "In Rainbows" (self-released on the net earlier this year) may have struck a chord with the guys behind MTV's infamous Jackass series.

Fans of the demented stunt show will get a sequel to last year's feature film, Jackass 2, for totally free on the 'net' starting December 19. Jackass 2.5 (featuring new footage and some outtakes from the 2nd film) will be the ultimate YouTube video to be viewed completely for free at www.Blockbuster.jackassworld.com.

It will only be up till Dec. 31, but will also be for sale on DVD at major retailers starting Dec. 26. Although it's being considered the first "free broadband movie ever distributed by a movie studio," I think realistically it's just a smartly-marketed internet commercial for a beefed up special edition DVD of Jackass 2. (anyone remember Spiderman 2.5? Or Xmen 2.5?)

So make sure you tune in with your high speed internet over the holidays, or you'll miss your chance to see dudes beat the crap out of one another, totally for free, without even going to a seedy bar in the bad part of town.

And speaking of Radiohead, Christmas came awesomely early for me, with my "In Rainbows" discbox arriving on my doorstep yesterday. The album on vinyl, CD, and with bonus tracks, plus a full out gorgeous color booklet. Totally worth the $80. Anyone else shell out the big ones for it?

If there are two things I enjoy in this world, it's music and Christmastime. Marry the two together, and you get one extremely happy blonde dude for about a month. And since you've been such good readers this year, I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday jingles this year with you. Consider it an early Christmas gift, without any annoying gift wrap or tape or bows. Just some good sentimental holiday jams. Enjoy it, friends.

Scene & Heard's Top 5 Christmas Songs: the mix

1. Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas
Who knew anyone could make a Wham song sound absolutely incredible? Well, Jimmy Eat World came along, and did. It makes you shake your hips, tap your feet, curse the girl you were crushing on last year, and realize that the greatest gift you can give on Christmas, is your heart (and mixes with this song on it).

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2. Sex Pistols - Punk Rock Christmas

I've looked and looked, trying to find out where this song actually came from, which is what anyone does when they stumble across a Sex Pistols jam that isn't off their only real album, "Nevermind The Bollocks." But screw it, it doesn't matter where it came from. Point is, this song completely decks the halls. And oddly enough, it's not really that harsh, snarling, or punk. It's just a good rock song with a big hip-swinging beat...and Johnny Rotten. Ok, well maybe there's a LITTLE snarl..

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3. As Talls As Lions - It's Only Christmas

Jumping to the other end of the holiday music spectrum, this bruising ballad is for the lonely hearts out there. Let's face it; Christmas makes the sad and lonely folks feel even worse than Valentines Day does. With all the togetherness whirling around, it's easy to dig up some of your saddest ghosts. And there is no voice more hauntingly gorgeous and fractured than Daniel Nigro's when it comes to such.

download mp3

4. Damien Rice - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

This stinking John Lennon song has probably been covered more than any contemporary Christmas song. And that's fine, but no one has ever came close to doing it as well or making it their own. Until this delicate cut by Damien Rice began circulating around the net this year, that is.

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5. Coldplay - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
We've heard this song over and over throughout our lives. Almost as much as those dang Chipmunk songs. But when I first heard this song last year swelling through the speakers with Chris Martin's lovely voice holding the reigns, the song ventured off into a whole other place for me. I'm convinced there is no more perfect encapsulation of Christmas into a 3-minute song anywhere in the history of music. Seriously. Wait till midnight rolls around on Christmas Eve night, listen to this through a pair of headphones outside in the cold, looking up at the sky. I promise, you'll have yourself a merry little Christmas, right then and there. I'll be doing the same at my house.

download mp3

***These songs are for promotional purposes only. Please purchase the music from these artists if you like what you hear. If you represent one of these bands and wish to see the song removed, please email me and it will be taken down immediately***

At a recent radio show in Tampa, someone finally did what many of us have wanted to do to Tom Delonge (currently the egomaniac behind Angels And Airwaves, and formerly the childish skatin' prankster of Blink182) by rocking his jugular with a well-aimed bottle. But turns out he's hard as a bed of nails and symbolically spits in the face of the haters and bottle throwers. Check out the video below to see the dude take the shot to his face midsong without missing a single beat. He sings, gets struck, and continues to sing the song. ROCK N ROLL! Doesn't make his obnoxious music with Angels any more bearable, but it certainly ups his rockdom.

What's your favorite holiday song? This is the unforgettable one we have been spouting off a lot recently here at the Scene & Heard main office, from last year's episode of SNL when Justin Timberlake hosted. Here's lookin' at You, Tube.

WARNING: some will find this offensive, and I apoligize for that. Keep in mind, this is all in good fun. And besides, who can argue with Justin Timberlake dressed up like a guy from Boys 2 Men? I know I can't.



And stop back tomorrow for some more holiday music.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...

The Vegetable Orchestra!

I Am Legend looks awesome enough as is. But if you catch it in theaters (starts Dec 14), you'll be treated to a new trailer for The Dark Knight, featuring some footage of Heath Ledger masquerading around Gotham City as The Joker. Word is he's surpassed all expectations, which says a bit considering he plays the same character that Jack Nicholson nailed in Tim Burton's Batman. And I imagine he won't be prancing around to Prince tunes like Nicholson got to either. So it must have been a totally uphill battle for Ledger. But if director Chris Nolan did even half as good with this sequel as he did with "Batman Begins," we're all in for a treat. PLUS my favorite Hollywood cutie Maggie Gylenhall has taken over for Katie Holmes' role. This movie couldn't bomb if it TRIED to!

Of course, it isn't hard for a Batman movie to be good after that "Batman & Robin" movie with AH-NULD as Mr. Freeze. "MY NAME IS FREEEEZE. Learn it well, for it is the chilling sound of your doom!"

With the way comic-book superhero movies took off in the past decade, it was only a matter of time till the "supergroup" of comic books hit the big screen--Justice League of America. The movie has been garnering lots of talk and rumors for some time now, but a good many of us have been skeptical bout it.

But as of 2 minutes ago, I'm sailing proud on the eager boat. And I didn't even bring a life raft!

It's no secret to my friends that The Flash is my fav superhero, and it's probably even more widely known that I'm an enormous Seth Brody fan--to the point where I was actually talking and bantering exactly like his OC character, Seth Cohen--nerdy lisp and all--which certainly made my girlfriend at the time wonder about me.

Well, the rumors of my favorite nerd being cast as my favorite superhero have been confirmed by the LA Times. And not just in the Justice League flick, but quite possibly in the following spin-off FLASH MOVIE.

I feel like a Cohen on Chrismakkuh!

I didn't get around to a Top 5 Tuesday yesterday. So I owe you loyal readers BIG, and I got something pretty sleek in the works that will make Top 5 Tuesdays look like the Mickey Mouse Club. It involves giving you music. So stay tuned!

In the meantime, go to Steel City Coffeehouse tonight to catch the most talented guitarist in the area, Mr. Trevor Gordon Hall. I mean it! He squeezes all kinds of noises and chords out of his trusty acoustic guitar that you won't believe your eyes. Or ears! He says more instrumentally with the wizardry of his guitar than most singing acts do with their tongues. And that says a lot!

Also, we stand corrected. Led Zeppelin WILL NOT be playing Bonaroo next summer, or so says the Bonaroo officials. But I think it's because the (maybe reuniting, maybe not) Zepp are planning on already rocking the festival that's slated to take place in VINELAND, NJ next summer. (Starting unfounded rumors sometimes creates truth, you know. So join me in this wish.)

While I try to think of a good "top 5" for today, I'm gonna let you with some tid bits first.

Christian Bale. AS JOHN CONNOR in the new Terminator flick? It's beginning to look like more than just a rumor. As for who to play a new terminator.. I'd like to request Ving Rhames. (tell me that wouldn't kick butt?)

"I'm Not There" is astoundingly rad, tho a bit dizzying for those outside of the Dylaniverse. But, Cate Blanchet's remarkable performance as one of the handful of Todd Haynes' Dylans, makes it a must see. Show times.

Next year's Bonaroo Festival headliner? Talk is swirling around a little band from England. You might know them. Led Zeppelin. It's just a rumor, sure, but this is exactly how The Police's reunion this past year came to be--talk of Bonaroo.

Also, I've grown a beard for the winter. Just saying.

After years and years (and years) of waiting for a long-promised third Ghostbusters movie, Ghostbusters 3 is finally taking shape.

However, it's not gonna be like the first two movies. It'll be a VIDEO GAME.

But don't worry! Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson are ALL returning as the "who ya gonna call" boys for the third installment of the series. The script will even be penned by Aykroyd and Ramis. Although it won't be the "Ghostbusters Go To Hell" storyline that was originally conceived for a third film.

What I'm a little concerned about is...no Rick Moranis?! Doesn't look like Sigourney Weaver is gonna lend her voice either. But if that means more dialogue space for Venkman, heck, why should I complain?

But while I like this idea of the videogame and keeping the same characters, I have a better idea.

Hand it over to Judd Apatow and let him recast his usual film buddies. Here's what we'd get and it would rule.
Venkman - Jonah Hill
Egon - Bill Hader
Ray - Seth Rogen
Winston - Eddie Griffin
Louis (Rick Moranis) - Christopher Mintze-Plasse (Mclovin!)

Heck, Apatow even cast Harold Ramis in a little father role on "Knocked Up." It all fits!

By the way, SUPERBAD comes out on DVD tomorrow. Get it.

Don't know if you have been following this Cloverfield movie or not--the new J.J. Abrams project (the mind behind Alias, Lost, and Armageddon).

But if you have, you know it's a movie about a monster that comes to NYC to shred it to pieces. And you know that no one has any clue what the monster in the movie looks like. Godzilla? Alien? King Kong? Mothra? Ursula from The Little Mermaid? We don't know!

But wait no longer! This newly released trailor shows the face of Abram's cold-blooded savage beast. I never saw this one coming..