IGIF Presents: Holiday Hangover

The holiday season has come and gone, leaving us with a brand new year to explore. There are still a few of your neighbors with Christmas lights hanging up and probably a couple of people still jamming some Christmas tunes. However, much like the credit cards in your wallet, our patience and holiday spirits have been officially maxed out. It's now that time of the year where students roll their eyes about having to resume class, a long sigh is released by those going back to work, and the Holiday Season takes the backseat for 10 months.

Well, I'm right there with you. I've always enjoyed the holidays and hated the idea of going back to "real life" after the festivities - most notable of which are the profuse amounts of lethargy one can partake in. While I'm sad to see the break come to a close, some will be happy to see the holiday season finally end. However you may feel, if you're suffering from a "holiday hangover" then check out a mix that'll get you past the absence of The Fat Man and Frosty faster than you can chug a gallon of egg nog.. which isn't fast at all, but oh well. (FYI: I'm not endorsing chugging egg nog, it's a fine drink but always ends badly when not in moderation.)

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[MP3] O-Zone - Dragostea din tei

By now you've heard it and done one of the following: danced, rolled your eyes, covered your ears in agitation, or all of the above. This quirky part dance/part pop track is loaded with a catchy beat and lyrics of a foreign language that I've yet to determine a translation of - and it's such an odd song that the mystery claded lyrics add to the fun. Who would've thought it'd be #1 hit in 32 countries?

[MP3] Loudon Wainwright III - The Swimming Song

What better way to shed the coils of winter than to hear a folk master sing about swimming in the summer? Loudon has always struck me as a happy-go-lucky musician just enjoying life, with "The Swimming Song" being one of his gems that'll catapult you into a chipper mood.

[MP3] M83 - Run Into Flowers

I prefer a decent voice and good lyrics in many of my songs, yet M83 (typically) don't utilize either one. The French duo, which is now functioning as a solo act, have poduced some find shoegazing material - a genre extensively using reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instrumentals. Something about synthesized keys and haughty backing music that echoes from eardrum to eardrum really makes me happy.

[MP3] Brandston - Earthquakes & Sharks

This Cleveland rock outfit will charm your ears before you have any idea of what happened. The "Float On" like guitar catchiness coupled with lyrics talking about Mexico and traffic jams allows a quick escape to warmer weather and sunny beaches. Part of me wondered why the radiowaves never greeted this band with open arms or why MTV never coddled them.

[MP3] Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis' Farewell Song

Lekman's incredibly smooth voice and innocent instrumentals helped me with the transitional period between Santa and 2007. The echoing keys and picturesque lyrics about scattered memories with his beloved "blind girl" were enough for me to take the sound of Burl and drown them out with Jens.

[MP3] Beyonce feat. Trina - Irreplaceable (Remix)

Beyonce slipped her latest pop ballad out before 2006 came to a close and I (somehow) managed to like it more and more as time passed. While I'm positive it hinges on the line "To the left, to the left", I've now got more reason to appreacite this song. I came across a new remix featuring the likes of Trina dropping a few of more "in-your-face" rhymes to tell her side of the story adds a great twist to the soft-spoken side of Beyonce and makes for an excellent remix.

[MP3] The Pixies - The Holiday Song (Frank Black Live; 1993)

This was an obvious choice for such an occasion, mainly because Frank Black and company manage to squeeze out terrific rock song in 2 minutes and some change. Between screaming the lines "This ain't no holiday!" and playing one of his (seeming endless amount) catchy riffs, The Pixies are one of the best ways to shake off that holiday slump.

[MP3] Mew - The Zookeeper'’s Boy

Mew have been the recipients of some decent buzz over the past months and songs like this display why. I started playing this song more and more towards the end of '06 and continue to think it'’s a solid song. The high pitched backing vocals contrasting the music really aid in making this song stand out on this playlists.

[MP3] Queen - Radio Ga Ga

You know you're a good band when everyone writes a hit. Perhaps taking a note from Ringo, Queen's drummer (Roger Taylor) wrote a song mocking the lack of variety on "corporate radio" that became a smash amongst their fans. Any song that Freddie Mercury lays the vocals too is a great track but having watched this song live being embraced by a stadium of people, I had to include it on this mix.

[MP3] Modest Mouse - Doin' The Cockroach (Live; 1997)

Before all of their widespread commercial success, Modest Mouse were secretly outputting some of their best music ever. This live recording, taken from a radio show 10 years ago, shows that Isaac is just as powerful and commanding at crafting incredible songs as a three-piece just as he is with an extended band. By 1997 Modest Mouse had released my two favorite LPs of their extensive catalogue, hopefully that'’ll change as we usher in 2007.

[ZIP] IGIF Presents: - Holiday Hangover 2006 (Tracklist/Artwork included!)

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I think I'm officially ready to wash the taste of gingerbread and fruitcake from my mouth and get on with life. While I'm not looking forward to work/school, I can at least prepare myself for (what appears to be) one hell of a 2007. When the holidays come and go next year, I'll be ready to remedy that holiday hangover with some fine music. Also, thanks for your patience - a few more days left for this lock-in stuff and I'll be back in action!

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