Top 16 Albums of the Year !!

Between the two of us, we fell in love with more than just a mere ten albums. And since we spend quite a bit of time together, we always are forced to compromise on the music we listen to -- and lucky for us, in doing so our respective horizons continue to expand. . .

Here is what we still can't seem to get enough of:

1. Asobi Seksu - Citrus














2. Cat Power - The Greatest














3. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain














4. Band of Horses - Everything All Time













5. Bears - S/T












6. Lily Allen - Alright, Still













7. Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins - Rabbit Furcoat













8. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That













9. Girl Talk - Night Ripper













10. Mates of State - Bring It Back













11. Matt Costa - Songs We Sing













12. The Concretes - In Colour














13. Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, & Wives [EP]













14. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings The Flood













15. The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes













16. Assembly Now - It's Magnetic [EP]














Honorable Mention: All of Bishop Allen's *monthly* EP's were exceptionally solid, especially their March EP

Top 5 *Christmas* Songs of The Week (Christmas Eve Edition)

While searching on youtube last night, we discovered Taking Back Sunday doing a unique take on that Christmas staple The 12 days of Christmas, Merry Christmas enjoy!

5. (mp3) Hem - Have yourself a merry little Christmas


4. (mp3) My Chemical Romance - All I want for Christmas is you!


3. (mp3) The Killers - A Great Big Sled


2. (mp3) The Long Blondes - Christmas is cancelled


1. (mp3) Sufjan Stevens - That was the worst Christmas ever!

Tonight: Holiday Pub Crawl in Ohio City!

What: 1st ever Miracle on 25th Street Pub Crawl in Ohio City

Where: Bier Markt, Touch Supper Club, Garage Bar and The Old Angle Tavern

When: Tonight!

Why: Portion of the proceeds go to The Salvation Army (it feels good to get drunk for a good cause)

A Holiday Collaboration!

Tonight head to the Beachland Tavern @ 9pm to check out the 3rd Annual Music Saves & Square Records swap meet. The show only costs $5 bands on the bill are Bears (from Cleveland), Beaten Awake (from Akron), Plasma for Guns (from Cleveland) and Genetically Yours (from Akron). The same show is taking place tommorow night @ 9pm down @ The Lime Spider down in Akron. Also get their early so you can pick up one of the 50 limited edition copies of Bears very own Christmas single. Also the topic of BEARS, we are pleased to tell you that when Asobi Seksu finally comes to Cleveland on January 29th @ The Grog (we have been waiting for them to come to C-town for 3 years) that BEARS will be opening for them!

Top 5 *Christmas* Songs of The Week

Reminiscing about last year's ridiculous Virgin Mobile "Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah" commercials while watching Home Alone and drinking champagne led to this. . .

5. [Mp3] Chris Martin - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

4. [Mp3] Feist - Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming

3. [Mp3] Belle & Sebastian - Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto (James Brown cover)

2. [Mp3] The Pipettes - White Christmas

1. [Mp3] Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime For Sarah :)

Bonus: [Mp3] U2 - Angel of Harlem

p.s. - If you are into Champagne/Sparkling Wine like we are at the moment, definitely check out these fabulous and creative cocktail recipes

Tonight: Derek Hess Opening @ 1300 Gallery

What: An Opening/Closing featuring Cleveland’s favorite local artist, Derek Hess

Where: 1300 Gallery

When: Tonight, from 7 – 10pm

Why: The final showing before the beloved 1300 Gallery closes

Support your local artists

'Tis the Season for giving. . .back Mp3's

It is the season for giving afterall, so we thought we'd update the links to the most frequently searched for songs from various posts of the past year. . .

Here you go, dear friends:

[Mp3] Director - Reconnect
[Mp3] Liam Lynch - Whatever
[Mp3] Snow Patrol - Open Your Eyes
[Mp3] The Boy Least Likely To - Be Gentle With Me
[Mp3] Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road
[Mp3] Magnet (ft. Gemma Hayes) - Lay Lady Lay

Enjoy!

xo*

Try this Champagne: Roederer Estate Brut Rosé

While awaiting the outcome of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony -- which of course is going to Troy Smith (a preliminary congrats to him for this great honor -- definitely holding it down for the 216!), we are enjoying an absolutely fabulous Brut Rosé. This champagne (or technically, "sparkling wine") grown in Northern California is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay -- also, the perfect balance of full and smooth flavors with fine bubbles. Produced by Roederer Estate, "the extra measure of Chardonnay contributes elegance and austerity, which balance nicely with the delicate fruitiness of the Pinot Noir." We highly recommend you try this refreshing wine that retails for around $27.00.

Top 5 *Christmas* Songs of The Week!!

Since we are getting in the Christmas spirit, we thought we would spread some holiday cheer:

5. [Mp3] Jack Johnson - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

4. [Mp3] Weezer - The Christmas Song

3. [Mp3] Dandy Warhols - Little Drummer Boy

2. [Mp3] Frank Sinatra - I'll be Home for Christmas

1. [Mp3] A Charlie Brown Christmas - Christmas Time Is Here

Bonus: [Mp3] Fountains of Wayne - Alien for Christmas

Tonight: Crave Party @ MOCA

What: Crave Party! ($10 per ticket)

Where: MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)

When: Tonight, 5 - 9pm

Why: An evening of exclusive shopping featuring a fashion show of designs (by There-She-Goes, Horst Couture, and other fabulous regional brands) and an eclectic assemblage of accessories and jewelry by local artisans and artists. Plus, a bar featuring Private Reserve wines and specialty cocktails.

See you there!

A Jolly, Happy Soul [RPST]

While watching A Charlie Brown Christmas this evening with Jose, I was reminded of one of my personal favorite stories for this season: The Snowman. Growing up, I had many fond memories associated with the book and its short "silent" film. Such a simple yet moving story. . .

And, since we're talking about snowmen, download Fiona's playful rendition of Frosty the Snowman:

[Mp3] Fiona Apple - Frosty the Snowman

As well as her beautiful cover of Hendrix's Angel, which I ended up finding yesterday while backing up an ancient computer:

[Mp3] Fiona Apple - Angel

Bonus:
[Mp3] Soul Coughing - Suzy Snowflake

Monday doesn't have to = suck

Tommorow you have the choice of two great indie rock shows in C-town, depending on your taste and budget. If it all possible, we would be going to both -- take your pick:

My Morning Jacket / The Slip @ The House of Blues ($22.50-$30)

¡Forward Russia! / Snowden / Blazer @ The Grog Shop ($10)

Bonus:
[Mp3] My Morning Jacket - Off the Record (on KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic)
[Mp3] The Slip - Children of December
[Mp3] ¡Forward Russia! - Nine
[Mp3] Blazer - Please (live acoustic)
[Mp3] Snowden - Time of the Season (Zombies cover)

Saturday Happenings

If you are trying to beat the winter doldrums like us, we have several options to share with you on this crisp Saturday morning here in Cleveland:

1. Bazaar Bizarre @ 13hundred Gallery [12 - 9pm] A super cool DIY event that showcases jewelry, random tees (ie - We Are Campfire), paintings, photography, etc. etc. making it easy to find friends and family one-of-a-kind hip and handmade gifts

2. Hot Toddy Party @ Banyan Tree [1 - 9pm] Enjoy appetizers, wine, and hot toddies while finding some lovely new home decor at this fabulous Tremont staple

3. Murray Hill Art Walk [10am - 9pm] Brave the cold and then head over to any of Little Italy's fine establishments, some of our favorites being Presti's Bakery and La Dolce Vita

4. The Brazilian Girls @ The Grog Shop [9pm] This loungey art-pop band would provide the perfect soundtrack to a chill and laidback evening

[Mp3] The Brazilian Girls - All We Have

Bonus: If you're looking for unique gift ideas, be sure to check out Johnny Cupcakes new holiday t-shirt designs (which are available starting today but in limited quantities, so act fast!) and We Are Campfire, based locally and doing us proud with their new Christmas Story themed shirts

Tonight: Ingenuity Party @ Bier Markt

What: Ingenuity Festival Benefit Party ($5 Cover)

Where: Bier Markt (Ohio City)

When: Tonight, starting @ 5pm

Why: All you can eat apps, drink specials, Jesse Barnes Band, and support for a good cause

See you there!