Burn and Shine's Favorite Songs of 2009

First of all, Merry Christmas. I'm stealing a few minutes away from our annual, Xmas Star Wars Marathon (Just the original three-- minus all the crappy bonus footage that was added in the 90s) to bring you my favorite songs of 2009. No mean feat, considering we were up until 2am last night decorating the Christmas Tree (I know, right?) and putting together MJ's first bicycle!

There is a top 26 this year, with "Plans" by Dinosaur Jr. (see video above) topping the list. #'s 2-26 can be found on this, the final compilation of the year (and, I guess, the decade). While I would like to take the time to give you a commentary on each of the songs, I really need to get back to Lucas and Co.

Before I go though, I'd like to invite you all back just after the new year as I have a little tribute to the aughts in store-- and of course my final albums list for the year (still sorting through a few last minute items). Look for some new installments of my Birth of Power Pop series (those of you who got hard copies know what I'm talking about, the rest of you will be caught up soon!) early in 2010 (Maybe February?).

Otherwise have a Happy New Year and, as always, Happy Listening!

Favorite Songs of 2009:

02. Johnny Marr & Neil Finn ~ “Too Blue”
03. The Fresh & Only’s ~ “Feelings in My Heart”
04. The Disciplines ~ “Best Mistake”
05. Best Coast ~ “When I’m With You”
06. Generationals ~ “When They Fight, They Fight”
07. Mount Eerie ~ “Between Two Mysteries”
08. The Almighty Defenders ~ “Cone of Light”
09. Grant Hart ~ “California Zephyr”
10. The Bats ~ “Steppin’ Out”
11. Built to Spill ~ “Hindsight”
12. Outrageous Cherry ~ “Anymore”
13. A.C. Newman ~ “Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer”
14. El Goodo ~ “Don’t Worry Marie”
15. Superchunk ~ “Crossed Wires”
16. J. Tillman ~ “James Blues”
17. Brendon Benson ~ “Don’t Want to Talk”
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart ~ “A Teenager in Love”
19. Tim Easton ~ “7th Wheel”
20. The xx ~ “Crystalised”
21. The Black Hollies ~ “Gloomy Monday Morning”
22. Superdrag ~ “Ready to Go”
23. Ty Segall ~ “Die Tonight”
24. Vivian Girls ~ “Moped Girls”
25. The Clean ~ “In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul”
26. Wilco ~ “You and I”

Total Time: 1:17:30

Download it here: Burn and Shine's Favorite Songs of 2009

Obama accepts Nobel Peace Prize?

This song was written as an anti-Bush song, but most of it still rings true today. The Dems continue to drag their feet on true health reform and we're still fighting two wars. The honeymoon is over.

p.s. Not sure why the date is wrong up there, today is actually December 10!

Christmas Party Soundtrack!

I know, right? It's that time of year again. I'm putting my comp up early this year, because last year's three Christmas comps have been far and away the most popular downloads I've put up here at Burn and Shine. The first three Redux volumes, by the way, have new download links, and you can find them here: Seventy-Five of the Best Holiday Tunes Known to Man!

I struggled a little bit with this year's volume, but Mrs. Maximum Jack came in and saved the day by helping me sequence it, and by making some hard decisions as to what to leave off (thanks Sweetie!). We both agree that the standout track on this year's comp is the Reigning Sound's "If Christmas Can't Bring You Home". A song neither of us had heard until this year. It was released as an old-fashioned Christmas 7" on Norton Records in 2004, and I stumbled upon it via some nice blogger who had done a vinyl transfer (I wish I could remember who that was-- apologies). Another new to me highlight is "It's Xmas So We'll Stop" by Frightened Rabbit. A Scottish band that I didn't think I really liked-- or at least I didn't like their last record, but this song is just achingly beautiful. It was also released as a 7" last year on FatCat Records. Again some random nice blogger did the vinyl transfer--- not me.

Anywho, with four volumes and nearly five hours of Christmas Rock, you now have the perfect soundtrack to your next holiday get together.

Happy Listening!

Christmas Redux Four

01. “Seasons Greetings” by Robbers on High Street [2:23]
02. “Merry Christmas Will Do” by Material Issue [3:36]
03. “Careless Santa” by Mono Puff [2:16]
04. “iPod Xmas” by Hello Saferide
05. “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway [3:32]
06. “Christmas is Cancelled” by The Long Blondes [4:29]
07. “Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time)” by Pearl Jam [3:00]
08. “If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home” by The Reigning Sound [2:32]
09. “Ghost of Christmas” by Manic Street Preachers [3:39]
10. “I Believe in Father Christmas” by Greg Lake [3:22]
11. “Back Door Santa” by Clarence Carter [2:10]
12. “Christmas Eve” by Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci [1:51]
13. “Christmas Must Be Tonight” by The Band [3:41]
14. “Little Saint Nick (Single Version)” by The Beach Boys [2:11]
15. “There Ain’t No Sanity Claus” by The Damned [2:31]
16. “Christmas Vacation” by The Descendents [2:39]
17. “Power Pop Santa” by The Pointed Sticks [3:20]
18. “Holiday Hymn” by Orange Juice [3:01]
19. “Lonely This Christmas” by Carter USM [2:12]
20. “Christmas” by The Posies [3:53]
21. “Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday” by William Bell [2:39]
22. “Silver Bells” by Swearing at Motorists [2:03]
23. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Ronettes [2:42]
24. “It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop” by Frightened Rabbit [5:28]
25. “Christmas Time (Is Here Again) by The Beatles [3:03]

Total Time: 1:15:25

Download it here: Christmas Redux Volume Four