Louvin My Dog

I'm proud to say that last April at a Grimey's parking lot sale, this incredible man remarked that Soapy seemed like a real good dog. He was only kind of right, but I'll treasure that semi-conversation forever.

The Afterthoughts

Maybe that should be our name b/c we're not on the flyer, but I swear that Thom, Adam, and I are djing this NYE party. We'll be on between bands and, hopefully, will end the night with some dancefloor favorites. You should come out and support the cause. Both the Lincoln Bedroom and Ryan Harrison kill it live, and with the former pledging to play a cover-laden set, you're a fool to go to some crowded joint playing bad T-Pain songs. As for us, we pledge to only play good T-Pain songs, and Clint Black, and Sparks, and Pookey Blow, and Alphabeat, and Erasure, and Nate Dogg. Only those 7 artists. Come get down to that.

Christmas! The Mix

Enjoy the following mix during this holiday season. First, a few brief thoughts:

- Thanks to Thom for getting me hip to the Aislers Set song. Never has a song been more a Christmas carol without even knowing it.

- I think the Low 7-song Christmas album is essential holiday listening. "Just Like Christmas" is actually not that representative of the album, which dwells in pedal tones, reverb, and slow tempos. It doesn't sound cheery, but I vouch for its excellence.

- "Hard Candy Christmas:" It's ridiculous to bandy about such titles, but I think it deserves high praise, so I'll give it my highest: BEST. XMAS. SONG. EVER.

- "Joseph, Who Understood" was released by the NPs last December as an iTunes exclusive (at least, I think it was an iTunes exclusive). I remember going on a late night run through Centennial Park during last year's finals and just - no joke - weeping when this song came on my headphones (full disclosure: I was a little stressed at the time). It may be theologically daring or borderline blasphemous, but it's got an honesty that's refreshing and a typically catchy Carl Newman melody to match. #2 with a bullet!

Download Christmas! The Mix

1) Just Like Christmas - Low
2) Anorak Christmas - Sally Shapiro
3) Christmas on Riverside Drive - August Darnell
4) Hit the Snow - Aislers Set
5) Merry Christmas, Baby - The Beach Boys
6) Jesus Christ - Big Star
7) Sherburne - Alabama Sacred Harp Singers
8) Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton
9) He Was Born in a Manger - Rev. J.M. Gates
10) Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
11) Santa Claus is a Black Man - AKIM & the Teddy Vann Production Company
12) To Heck with Ole Santa Claus - Loretta Lynn
13) Christmas Is - Run DMC
14) Presents - Yo Yo Yo Kids
15) Be Your Santa Claus - Keith Sweat
16) Joseph, Who Understood - The New Pornographers
17) Calling on Mary - Aimee Mann

Carol of the Bells

Read founding member Thom McMahon's recently published interview with Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells.