Not much to say about this one except that Appleme is a Moscow based band (yes, the one in Russia), A little Alt Rock, a little Electronica. And their slightly broken English is charming. But, really, what it comes down to is that it's new, it's free, and it's not really bad EDM...which is mostly what you're going to find on Soundcloud this week. So lend an ear to Appleme's new New Year's tune, "Meet The Happy Year" and download it free at Soundcloud. But be warned...you've just been Appled.
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As we tend to do every year after Christmas, here are a bunch of free downloads we never got around to talking about. Some are good and some deserve a stocking full of coal, but here they are for you to check out for yourself.
One that I want to mention right up top is the 2015 Andy Cirzan album, "The Holiday Hangout At Hillbilly Holler". Andy is the collector who collectors collect and his little present will disappear forever at Midnight on January first. I had every intention of posting this earlier, but never got around to listening to it myself. I hear tell it's a collection of obscure rural and mountain music. Of the ten tracks, I'm familiar with precisely half. And only 2 of the cuts would I expect most Christmas collectors to know--"Santa's Little Helper" by Joe Poovey and "Christmas Doll" from Jim Eanes. After you've downloaded Andy's collection, you should also pick up the Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular. Sound Opinions is the radio show (on WBEZ Chicago) where Andy shares his yearly Christmas adventures and discusses the music involved. It also features music not included on Andy's mix--in this case, some more familiar Bluegrass, Country and rural Christmas music from The Country Gentlemen, The Cotton Top Sanctified Singers (with Half Pint Jaxon), The Huron Valley Boys, Dave Dudley, George Jones and more. Download "The Holiday Hangout At Hillbilly Holler" here and the Sound Opinions Holiday Spectacular here. I'm gonna mention another one up top, here. As you know (os should, if you've visited here enough), I have a nearly pathological dread of foul language. It's my radio training. If you've ever had your newscaster drop the F-bomb in the middle of a live broadcast (with no 7-second delay) and then, realizing what they had done, suddenly exclaim "Oh s**t!" on the still live no delay broadcast.... Well, yes, that's happened to me. I still get nightmares about the FCC coming in and dragging me away to Seven Dirty Words Prison. So I avoid, as much as I can, songs with such words in them. More often than not, I find such words unnecessary in even an anti-Christmas song. Truthfully, as I get older, I care less and less, but still... Anyway, there is a free download available of a Rock song by Butch Walker (who I've generally liked as an artist). The title will tell you all you need to know--"Santa'Self (F*uck Your Christmas Party)". It's been one of my favorite new songs this past week and I'd feel bad if I didn't give you a chance to get it, too. So here's the link and we'll speak of it no more. 'K? Speaking of foul language, there will be no more posting on Facebook. Ever. Those people--by which I mean the idiots who keep changing how/what/whether you can post, etc., etc, etc.--are assholes. Now on with the rest of our Boxing Day mess--in no particular order. 
THE SOUL CAPTIVES - STRANGE MANOR CHRISTMAS (volumes 1-8) (Indie Alt Rock & Ska)
THE STEREO SOUL MOVEMENT - IT'S A SMOOTH CHRISTMAS: HOLIDAY MUSIC Vol. 6 (Indie Folk Pop) THE WAVE CHANGERS - SURFIN' XMAS EP (Surf Rock) KATIE FERRARA - THE JOY THE SEASONS BRING (Indie Folk/Pop) THE FIVE STRINGS - O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL (Traditional/Religious) CHARLIE'S HAND MOVEMENTS - SECRET SANTA (Indie Pop) THE DANDY WARHOLS - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY/SILENT NIGHT (Alt Rock) AGGRESSIVE CRANES - THE NEXT EPISODE (OF CHRISTMAS) (Jazz) AGGRESSIVE CRANES - KWANZAA SONG (Jazz) MORTAR & PISTOL - SNOW COVERS ALL, Vol. II (Lo-Fi Indie Folk/Americana) GASOLINE BROTHERS - CHRISTMAS SONGS (Power Pop/Alt Rock) SHINEBRIGHT - RED (Acoustic) (Indie Pop/CCM) THE OOPS KITCHEN - MERRY XMAS! (Indie Alt Folk) SEED - ANGELS SING (Alt Rock/Christian Metal) THE STRANGE ECHO - JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS (Indie Pop) VARIOUS - A VERY OHIO CHRISTMAS (Alt Rock from 2010) VARIOUS - MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOOD NIGHT 5 (Indie Folk/CCM) JOHN VALLIS - MERRY XMAS MR. SCROOGE (Indie Brit Pop) FUTURE OF FORESTRY - ADVENT ANTHOLOGY SAMPLER (CCM/Ambient Pop) NIIA - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Indie Folk Pop) NIIA - THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Indie Folk Pop) ALEX PAREPKO - JAZZY CHRISTMAS EP (Jazz in Russian!) 
DODIE CLARK - SMILE AT SNOW (Indie Pop/Folk Pop)
JENNIFER PAIGE - HOLIDAY EP (Indie Pop) VARIOUS - HOLIDAYS (Electro Pop) SUGARDRUM - MERRY CHRISTMAS (Indie Folk) DANIEL DE BOURG - THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Pop Soul) A DRIFT - MERRY XMAS (WAR ISN'T OVER) (Indie Folk Pop) LEA LOVE - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (Soul/Jazz Pop) MACANTO - DEAR SANTA (Alt Rock/Pop) MACANTO - THE BEST GIFT (Jazz Pop/Traditional) AMY STROUP - YOU MAKE THE COLD DISAPPEAR (Indie Pop) RANA FARHAN - CHRISTMAS BLUES (Jazz/Blues) PAPER LIONS - HOLDING OFF CHRISTMAS (Alt Pop) THE NUCLEARS - NUCLEAR WINTER WONDERLAND (Alt Rock/Punk) EMILY BONES - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Uke Pop) TARYN HARBRIDGE - CELTIC CHRISTMAS MEDLEY (Irish Folk/Traditional) VALAITIS BROTHERS - WITHOUT YOU (THIS CHRISTMAS) (Alt Pop) CHRISTMAS MORNING - HYPER POTIONS (Future Bass/Electro Pop) IDES - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Alt Pop) BEAR WITH ME - VERY BEARY CHRISTMAS (Pop Rock) MEN CONSTRUCTED BOYS - REINDEER KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD (Hardcore/Christian/Alt Rock) STRANGELY ALRIGHT - I BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS (Power Pop/Classic Rock) 
MONEY - A COCAINE CHRISTMAS AND AN ALCOHOLIC'S NEW YEAR (LIVE) (Indie Dystopian Rock)
VOGON POETRY - WHEN WE WERE YOUNG (Synth Pop) MICHAEL ALDI KURNIAWAN & ACS - THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Indie Folk Pop/Traditional from Indonesia) WHISPERS OF A NIGHTENGALE - A COLD DEAD WINTER'S NIGHT (Dream Pop/Shoegaze) SHADES IN A DARK ROOM - SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR MISSING ELDERLY PHILANTHROPIST (Post Punk/Alt Folk) VARIOUS - A CO-PRESENT CHRISTMAS (Alt Rock/Alt Folk from Ireland) BANDREW - THE NAUGHTY LIST (Alt Rock/Weirdness) VARIOUS - BALTIMAS 12 (Assorted Indie) FAUX FAWN - TURTLE DOVES (Alt Folk) HELLO SHANNON - O HOLY NIGHT (Indie Folk Pop) NEW STARZZ - SEASON OF LOVE (Alt Soul/Hip Hop) GLOSS - GIFTS RECEIVED (Dream Pop/Shoegaze) VARIOUS - BARTLETT CHRISTMAS 1 (Indie Rock/Indie Folk) VARIOUS - BARTLETT CHRISTMAS 2 (Indie Rock/Indie Folk) ZERO DOUBT - DA REASON (Hip Hop/Modern Gospel) JEFFREY PHILIP NELSON - CHRISTMAS PLEASE (Americana/Indie Folk) DANIEL YOUNG - YEAH, THIS IS CHRISTMAS (Alt Rock) ROOTS DIGITAL - ANALOG CHRISTMAS (Lo-Fi/Soul/Reggae) CANDY CIGARETTES - NAUGHTY OR NICE (Indie Rock/Dream Pop) ANTHONY FISH - MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE (Pop Punk) MATTHEW CRANLEY - WHITE CHRISTMAS DREAMIN' (Jazz/Bossa Nova) AWESOME CITY LIMITS - CHRISTMAS MEDLEY (Alt Rock/Rock Folk Fusion) 
I've had this discussion before. For the generation before mine, the Christmas movie was "A Christmas Carol" with Alistair Sim. For my generation, it was "It's A Wonderful Life". For the generation after mine, it's "Christmas Story". So what is it for the next generation? Some will answer "Christmas Vacation" or "Home Alone" or "Elf". "Elf" is too recent anyway, so you can rule that one out. The correct answer is "Die Hard". And, with this just released Christmas tribute to the 1988 action thriller, I now have proof. Don't give me polls that say that nearly two-thirds of Americans don't think "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie at all. How bout you just ask the specific generation that's making the choice? The generation that has chosen "Die Hard" as their Christmas movie doesn't care what the rest of us think about it.
"It's Christmas Time, Mr. Falcon!" is ten tracks of retro Synth Pop goodness that take you right back to movies from the eighties. Truthfully, as often as not, these songs more recall "Beverly Hills Cop" than "Die Hard" (no surprise, since the Retro Promenade label also released a comp paying tribute to Harold Faltermeyer, the man who scored those Eddie Murphy flicks, earlier this month). But the two tracks from Who Ha--the only vocals on the collection--clearly come from the "Die Hard" generation and likely inspired the set's theme. They're also easily the best tracks on the set. "It's Snowin" sounds like a cross between Tears For Fears, Men Without Hats, and Simple Minds. Though it's essentially a one-line song that lasts over six minutes, it works. But "Merry Christmas To Me" is the song that lays out all the love for John McClane and the "Die Hard" franchise, while specifically dissing all the other Christmas movie pretenders ("Jingle All The Way", "The Santa Clause", "Home Alone"). "John McClane became a hero on my TV screen. That was Christmas to me." That's all they needed to say. Kondrath's "Solemn Holiday" is also excellent. "Yuletide" by Jurgen Desmet fits the "Die Hard" theme and also sounds sufficiently Christmasy. The one fly in the ointment for me was Dress 2 Kill's "Slopestyle" which gave me a headache. "It's Christmas Time, Mr. Falcon" is free from Retro Promenade on Bandcamp. And, if you look around a bit, you'll find 2013's "It's Christmas Time!" and last year's "It's Christmas Time Again!"--also free. Although I would advise them to stop using the exclamation point as I think JEB! has ruined that forever. 
If I'd found this a few days ago, it probably would have made the Stubby's House Christmas collection. I legitimately love this groove. C-Noch is an Indie R&B artist from just outside Detroit, Michigan. He grew up singing Gospel and, living just 10 miles from Hitsville, USA, he also has that Motown influence. But C-Noch's sound is more contemporary and he blends the Gospel and Motown with Hip Hop. The concept for "To Have A Merry Christmas" is brilliant. C-Noch starts with "My Favorite Things". "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, la la la la la la la..." What do you suppose a song like that means to a kid growing up near Detroit, Michigan? How could any city kid identify with any of that? Those aren't the images of Christmas they experience. No. Christmas to them looks like much of the rest of the year--broken glass, snow that's gone black from soot, bills in the mail that they can't afford to pay, a little girl gone missing on Christmas Eve, and far too many guns resulting in "blood in the streets". "What does it mean to have a Merry Christmas?" he asks. In the end, I believe he's rejecting both visions--the la-de-da fairytale holiday in the songs and commercials and the harsh reality he sees around him--as distractions from the real meaning of Christmas. Anyway, that's what I'm getting from the tune, which is as musically well done as it is thought provoking. "To Have A Merry Christmas" by C-Noch works for me on every level. Might not be what you want on your Christmas mixtape, but I'd want it on mine. Grab the free download on Soundcloud and drop C-Noch a "like" on Facebook. He deserves at least that much for this great Christmas track.
I honestly don't know a thing about music (oh...you knew that already), but I do know what I like. And this sweet little instrumental from the Japanese brother and sister Indie Dream Pop/Toy Pop duo Chelsea Terrace is something I like. It's a more or less Ambient piece, partially inspired by the film The Polar Express and featuring strains of "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night". And, if Google translate is to be trusted, it's part of an album the group is working on for next year--"The Electrical 7 Suite". And it's free via Soundcloud.
Now, as if that wasn't cool and Christmasy enough (or, for that matter, Japanese enough), Chelsea Terrace released a Christmas song last year, as well. "Goodbye Christmas" is a vocal tune that appeared on the group's "Telescope Future" CD (which is sold out, so don't bother looking for it). Some people are enchanted by the way French ladies sing (I get it; very sexy), but I love the sound of Christmas music sung by Japanese women. Don't know why, don't understand a word; it just strikes me as so delicate and beautiful. "Goodbye Christmas (Shooting Star Mix)" --with vocals and guitar by Mayumi, I believe--is also a free download from Chelsea Terrace on Soundcloud. 
Not too much on-line about Vinnie B. and his band, The Brotherhood. But it's an original Christmas Blues, so I'll take it.
Vinnie B. & The Brotherhood do have a ReverbNation page and a website--both seriously lacking in content--but plenty folks don't have either, so Vinnie's at least one step ahead. They are from Michigan and they are a Power Rock trio. It appears they're mostly a live band, though it seems they're working on an album. In the meantime, "Christmas Blues (Ring My Silver Bell)" is a very listenable Blues Rock original which could easily slide into your Christmas Blues playlist. Vinnie B. doesn't say whether The Brotherhood is working this track with him, but the sound is nice and full, so I'm gonna guess yes. And it's free on Soundcloud, so it's got that goin' for it, which is nice.  It seems I nearly always forget about Mr. Boyd's annual Christmas treat until well after the holidays. And then I just don't feel like blogging it (though I download them faithfully). Well, not this year, by God.
Ballard C. Boyd is a writer and director (currently working for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, I hear). In his spare time, he likes to do a little Uke Pop (who doesn't). This is another case of someone who really enjoys making Christmas tunes and that joy comes through the speakers and takes up residence in your heart and head. Sometimes we get an original Ballard C. Boyd Christmas tune and sometimes not. On this year's joy filled platter, "There's Noel In Christmas". we get two tunes we know from the Spector Christmas album and what may well be the first recorded cover of JD McPherson's "Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)". If Ballard is indeed working on The Late Show, now, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" seems especially appropriate. Darlene Love used to give us an annual appearance on the show while Letterman was hosting--welcoming in the holiday with her seminal Christmas song. I hear tell Mr. Boyd may have recorded that one in The Ed Sullivan Theater. Good for him. The third song is a whistling version of "Marshmallow World". Three great songs that go great together. All of Mr. Boyd's previous Christmas EPs remain available and free. And you'll find them all at his website.  Here's a nice three-song Christmas EP from South Carolina's Shiny Pines. You could call their sound Americana or Alt Rock, but they call themselves a Southern Rock band and that works. "I'm Dying or This Must Be Christmas" finds our protagonist waiting for a terrible shoe to drop because "Life ain't never this good." That's a double negative, dude. Just roll with it. "It's Supposed to Be Christmas" might be the same dude on a regular Christmas--"It's supposed to be Christmas, but it feels more like hell."
But the star of the Shiny Pines "Christmas EP" has to be the rockin' "Go Tell It On The Mountain", which you can hear in the video above. You can grab this set on Noisetrade. 
The BBC's Shaun Keaveny, who hosts the breakfast show, wrote a Christmas song. Because, you know, that's something on just about everyone's bucket list, right? Of course, when I write a Christmas song, I get to entertain Mrs. Katz (not her real name)--if I'm lucky (because she really hates my music). But, if you're Shaun Keaveny, you know people. People like former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, Level 42's bass player Mark King, and former Menswear drummer Matt Everitt, And, oh yeah, Rod Stewart. He sings a bit, you know. "Please Don't Get Me Anything For Christmas"--with its all-star cast--was then produced by Grammy winner Steve Levine, who has previously worked with the Beach Boys and Culture Club. Considering the talent involved, it should come as no surprise that the song is really, really good. Not quite "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", but a very hook laden Christmas song with a big sound, like they do in the UK. And the BBC has made the song available as a free download. Keep in mind that BBC freebies don't usually last too long, so waste no time and fly over to the BBC's website and read all about it.
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The FREE ListHere we hope to direct you to some of the Christmas music on the web that can be yours absolutely free. We will not direct you to mp3 or sharity sites, here, but only to artist sites, label sites, and other authorized and unquestionably legal locations. Archives2010 FREE List Categories
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