If it’s the night of our annual holiday party, it’s also time for my Artists To Watch mix, featuring the music I think you should keep an eye out for in 2008 (guests of the Freys receive a complimentary copy).
| Band | Song | Next area appearance | Why them | |
| 01. | Blackfield | Once | Steven Wilson’s side project from his regular band, an early choice for best song and remained unsurpassed. | |
| 02. | Mika | Lollipop | 1/31/08 Electric Factory | So many choices off his debut to choose from, but this is the catchiest (and shows off his range). |
| 03. | The Feeling | Love It When You Call | My fave new Britpop act. | |
| 04. | Kay Hanley | It Hurts | Former lead singer of Letters To Cleo, currently doing backup on the Hannah Montana tour (is that why it hurts, Kay?). | |
| 05. | Jeremy Fisher | Scar That Never Heals | Maybe I was in a Paul Simon mood this year, first of two to call him to mind. | |
| 06. | Jenny Owen Youngs | Drinking Song | 1/9/08 Kennedy Center Millennium Stage | A potty mouth reminiscent of Liz Phair, she puts on a fun show. |
| 07. | The Sketches | Dizzy | 1/4/08 Black Cat | Local group with a talent for a melody. |
| 08. | Regina Spektor | Better | Kind of a cross between Tori Amos and Norah Jones. | |
| 09. | Dan Wilson | All Kinds | The former Semisonic frontman releases his first solo album a year after winning a Grammy for cowriting the Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice”. | |
| 10. | The Frames | Falling Slowly | The movie “Once” features Glen Hansard (of The Frames) & Marketa Irglova, and this is the original version of one of the songs. | |
| 11. | Dick Prall | The Cornflakes Song | Catchiest song I found through Paste this year. | |
| 12. | Little Big Town | Vapor | 2/28/08 Richmond Coliseum | A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll (can you tell they’re mostly influenced by Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles?). |
| 13. | Ben’s Brother | Time | Another British group, softer sound like Keane. | |
| 14. | Antje Duvekot | Pearls | Jill’s fave new artist. | |
| 15. | Mark Olson | Poor Michael’s Boat | Former Jayhawks bandmate Gary Louris co-wrote and sang on this. | |
| 16. | Brett Dennen | Darlin’ Do Not Fear | The other one with the Paul Simon vibe. | |
| 17. | The Strangelings | Johnny Come Down To Hilo | Three folk duos form a band. | |
| 18. | Matt Nathanson | Car Crash | 1/31/08 Recher Theatre | Singer/songwriter going for a grandiose moment. |
| 19. | Robert Plant and Alison Krauss | Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On) | Ok, you’ve heard of them, but never heard them together. It’s not Zep or Union Station, but it’s good. | |
| 20. | Stephen Kellogg | Why Are You Talking To Me | 12/31/07 Jammin’ Java | One of the best live acts around. |
Leftovers (in no particular order):
Feist – 1234
The Last Town Chorus – Modern Love
Queen + Paul Rodgers – Say It’s Not True
Georgie James – Cake Parade
Orba Squara – Perfect Timing (This Morning)
The Pietasters – Don’t Wanna Know
Ari Hest – Right Of Way
Ellis – Hurricane
Gin Blossoms – Long Time Gone
Lucy Kaplansky – Manhattan Moon
Luke Brindley – Don’t Want To Lose You
Miranda Lambert – Gunpowder And Lead
Pat McGee Band – Maybe It’s Time
Paula Cole – Comin’ Down
Thea Gilmore – Teacher, Teacher
Vienna Teng – Harbor
Porcupine Tree – Fear Of A Blank Planet
Pepper’s Ghost – How ‘Bout It Now
Sick Puppies – My World
Spoon – The Underdog
Dream Theater – Forsaken
The Frustrations – Nerdy Little Secret
Eric Hutchinson – Rock And Roll
Ingrid Michaelson – Keep Breathing
Priscilla Ahn – Rain
And I made a third Christmas mix CD. I ultimately decided not to use any songs that I’ve had on the other two (even though I’ve got two other great versions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”) as I had an abundance of choices without them. I also limited myself to one artist per CD (that means years of fun to come from BNL). And there’s still a number of classic tunes that haven’t been represented yet – haven’t found versions that really spoke to me. Maybe next year!
- Snow Song (It’s Coming Down) – Groovelily
- Let It Snow – Dar Williams
- Christmas – Blues Traveler
- Donde Esta Santa Claus – Guster
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Marah
- Oi To The World – No Doubt
- Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Ronette Spector and Darlene Love
- Mary XMess – Sun 60
- Jingle Bell Rock – Katie Mac
- Merry Christmas Baby – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
- All I Want For Christmas Is You – My Chemical Romance
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan
- Fairytale Of New York – Stars
- Chiron Beta Prime – Jonathan Coulton
- Santa Baby – Michelle Malone
- Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
- On Christmas Day – Pete Droge
- Away In A Manger – Mindy Smith with Alison Krauss
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Aimee Mann
- Angels We Have Heard On High – Sufjan Stevens
- Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming – Feist
- Christmas Canon – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas – Various artists