A bit tired of hearing Bruce babbling on about Clarence getting a new sax for Christmas? Us too. Here’s a holly jolly roundup of some little-known originals and some well-known classics done by some of our favorite modern (mostly indie) artists. Have a favorite tune you wish to share? Just Post a Comment (bottom of page) and let us know. Merry Merry!

Boy Least Likely To – “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” -  MP3

The Mynabirds - “All I Want is Truth (For Christmas)” – MP3

Duvall – “Do You Hear What I Hear” – MP3

Sufjan Stevens – “Only at Christmas Time” – MP3
and “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” – MP3

The Dismemberment Plan – “This Christmas” – MP3

Dream Diary – “Christmas All Over” -  MP3

Mogwai - “Christmas Song” – MP3

Alexi Murdoch – “Silent Night” – MP3

Andrew Dost – “Yeah, I Know, It’s Christmastime” - MP3

Long Winters - “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes)” – MP3

Cliff Hillis - “On A Day Like Christmas” – MP3

Belle And Sebastian – “Are You Coming Over For Christmas?” – MP3

Death Cab For Cutie – Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) – MP3

Centro-Matic – “Fuselage (It’s Starting to Look Like Christmas Once Again)” – MP3

Descendents - “Christmas Vacation” – MP3

The Swimmers – “A Christmas Sound” – MP3

Adam Arcuragi – “The Christmas Song” – MP3

The Flaming Lips – “A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So)” – MP3

Adventures of Jet – “Waiting for Christmas” – MP3

Pearl Jam – “Let Me Sleep” and “Someday at Christmas” – MP3

Snow Patrol – “When I Get Home For Christmas” – MP3

The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale Of New York” – MP3 – Video

Chomsky – “Christmas Time Is Here” – MP3

The Soft Lightes – The Last Christmas On Earth – Listen here

The Hives & Cyndi Lauper - “A Christmas Duel” – Video

Harvey Danger - “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes)” – Video

Aimee Mann – “Calling on Mary” – Video

The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” – Video

Low – “Just Like Christmas” – Video

Matt Pond PA – “Snow Day”

Huffamoose – “Hanukkah And Christmas Hand In Hand”

Chris Stamey & Cathy Harrington – “You’re What I Want For Christmas”

Coldplay – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Man or Astroman – “Frosty the Snowman”

Blink 182 – “It’s Christmas Time Again”

More Holiday Cheer!

• Holiday Shopping Tips 2010
• Holiday Shopping Tips 2009
• Holiday Shopping Tips 2008

There are many good reasons to see Pearl Jam live. In addition to their rigorous yet vibrant execution of both hits and deep cuts, and the mesmerizing performance by the beast Matt Cameron behind the kit (think Neil Peart with 20 less drums), Eddie and the boys always choose a brilliant supporting act to kick things off right.

The last two times I saw Pearl Jam in scenic Camden, NJ, they paid homage to some of the favorite punks of the past: Sonic Youth opened one show and The Buzzcocks opened the other a couple years later. Both sets were outstanding.

Tonight’s show in Camden looks like another winner, indie rock stalwart Ted Leo comes home to the Garden State (he grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey) and will certainly kick off the night with a walloping blast of melodic punk-tinged tuneage that will evoke blissful memories of The Jam and “I’m the Man” era Joe Jackson. Ted Leo rules, so listen up you classic rock lovin’ Philadelphians, leave your bongs and Budweiser cans in the parking lot early and make sure you don’t miss him.

Thanks to my brother DJ, who got some great seats for us, yes actual seats! Sorry lawn, you will not have the privilege of my old ass sitting upon you this time.

Video: “Me and Mia”

I was also feeling lazy so I decided to respond and critique the readers’ choices using a very concise and effective method, the Haiku. In case you were sleeping through 5th grade English class (I was), a Haiku is a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.

1. Pearl Jam

Outstanding live act,
but bad actors (See “Singles”).
My wife loves Eddie.

2. Aerosmith

They ruled when on coke.
Sobered up and lost all cred.
Crap songs for crap films.

3. Van Halen

Hagar’s a buffoon.
He is Jimmy Buffet Lite.
Roth? Better buffoon.

4. The Eagles

They hate each other
but regrouped for love of fans
and assloads of cash.

5. Journey

Schon’s afro was huge
when he played with Santana.
Perry had girl hair.

6. Guns N’ Roses

The best band ever
for those who have shit for brains.
Viva la dirtbags!

7. The Grateful Dead

Garcia is gone
but smelly, lazy hippies
will live forever.

8. Queensryche

This poll was taken
during a county fair where
Queensryche was playing.

9. The Doors

Did you see the film?
Man, Kilmer looked just like him!
”Real Genius,” better.

10. R.E.M.

“Murmur” was amazing!
”Life’s Rich Pageant” also ruled!
What was Stipe saying?

11. The Allman Brothers Band and Fleetwood Mac (tie)

A fight to the death
with broad swords and hunting knives
will break this tie!

12. Metallica

Keeps on putting out
dumb music for dumb people.
Philly Radio!

13. Kiss

Calling all Kiss fans!
Want to buy a Kiss coffin?
Gene Simmons: a total dick.

14. The Ramones

T-shirts all around!
Ashlee Simpson now wears one.
Good time to burn yours.

15. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival (tie)

I lived on Tenth Ave.,
the same street Bruce sang about.
Never saw a freeze out.

16. Dave Matthews Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd (tie)

Lame, drunk guy at show
always yells, “Play some Skynyrd!”
No one ever laughs.

17. The Beach Boys

TV’s John Stamos
plays drums for the Boys sometimes.
Those times really blow.

18. Nirvana

One awesome album
then a couple decent ones.
A good band, not great.

19. The Replacements

Made rockin’ music
while they were very hammered.
Three cheers for liquor!

20. Bon Jovi

All over Jersey
their aging, cheesball fans ask,
“Where are John’s eyebrows?”