Idiot Glee just posted a new Christmas EP over at his Bandcamp. James clearly has a love of Christmas, given that he put out a similar EP last Christmas.

MP3: Idiot Glee – Sleigh Ride

Check out the above track, then head over to Bandcamp to download the whole thing.

Download Reindeer’s Time at Idiot Glee’s Bandcamp

If it’s December, then you know it’s Mixmas time at You Ain’t No Picasso! Each year I get a bunch of my favorite bands to contribute themed mixes and share their thoughts about each of the tracks.

MP3: Matt Duncan – Summer Song

Matt Duncan is a nice guy, a talented fellow and a credit to the Lexington community. And just as he’s committed to making Lexington a more interesting place to live (well, listen to music in), he’s helping make You Ain’t No Picasso a little more interesting too.

“Aural Remedies” by Matt Duncan

Generally speaking, I’ll listen to anything that I consider to be “good,” at any time, for no particular reason. But occasionally, I feel like I NEED to hear something for a specific “mood-management” reason. These are some of the most potent aural remedies that I am aware of:

YT link Joni Mitchell – Hejira (cures Wanderlust/Melancholy)
This song can make a trip to the grocery store feel like hitching across the southwest. If you’re feeling restless, wistful, moody, or melancholy, this song will pleasantly heighten those feelings, while bringing about a sense of gravity that might have been lacking. (To be honest, most of the songs on this album serve a similar purpose, but I think this one is the most effective.)

YT Link Radio Dept. – Memory Loss (Relieves Stress)
Bad traffic? Hard day at the office? Awkward holiday? For soothing frayed nerves of any kind, I don’t know of anything better. (Although as with “Hejira,” everything on Clinging to a Scheme could potentially serve the same purpose.)

YT Link: The Sheds – Reflection of the Sun (Turns Frown Upside Down)
Imagine for a moment that Cincinnati has its own Traveling Wilburys, and their only song is about the importance of the sun for your mental and emotional health. This is kind of true. I dare you not to smile when Matthew Shelton starts talk-singing in his lower-than-Cash voice about his solar transformation. (The Sheds were very adept at feel-good songwriting, so as with the other parenthetical notes, see the rest of their catalog for more of the same, though none better.)

YT Link: Al Stewart – Year of the Cat (Rejuvenates)
I don’t get out so much anymore, so sometimes I need a little help to kick start my night. Listening to “Off The Wall” or “Discovery” is probably aiming too high, but somehow this song has just the right combination of absurdity and genuine fun to get my atrophied feet moving. Plus the production is really beautiful (the radio edit is preferable). And if all goes well…

YT Link: Twin Shadow – When We’re Dancing (Sparks Romance)
Whenever I hear this song, I imagine myself in a dark club dancing close with my lady, oh so late in the hot, loud night. I am very drunk, and it is very romantic. As it stands now, I’ve really only listened to this song in the car and on the treadmill, so it’s all a bit theoretical… but I hope this comes on sometime when I’m out. (Cough cough… John the Baptist… cough.)

Read all the Mixmas 2011 contributions

If you head over to facebook and Like Amnesty USA, you’ll unlock Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty International for instant streaming. There are a ton of diverse artists on this thing — Miley Cyrus to Kronos Quartet.

Like Amnesty International to unlock all 70+ songs for streaming

Robyn took to the SNL stage last night to perform “Call Your Girlfriend” and “Dancing On My Own.”

Robyn: “Call Your Girlfriend”

Robyn: “Dancing On My Own”

Oh happy day! You can right this moment head over to Louis CK’s web site and pay just $5 to download a great quality recording of his set at the Beacon Theater. I’m seconds away from finishing my download.

Also, if you’re as excited about this as I am please actually buy this thing. This falls under the “a treat for fans” category, so let’s not discourage him from doing it again.

If it’s December, then you know it’s Mixmas time at You Ain’t No Picasso! Each year I get a bunch of my favorite bands to contribute themed mixes and share their thoughts about each of the tracks.

MP3: Asobi Seksu – Trails

Asobi Seksu have been putting out quality records and great lives shows for a while now. This year they released Fluorescence and toured all over to promote it. I’d imagine a great bit of that touring played into James’ Mixmas contribution.

“Great Morning Tour Van Driving Songs That I Never Want to Hear Again” by James Hanna of Asobi Seksu

YT Link: Bauhaus- In the Flat Field
Generally on tour we get in the van somewhere around ten-ish if its not a particularly long drive. First shift is the best time to drive, far better than the afternoon post-lunch crash shift. This song has my favorite drum beat ever…..it’s grim determination and relentlessness contrast well against pretty west coast pastel landscapes.

YT Link Hall and Oates- I Can’t Go for That
Jesus we had a month long tour where our tour manager listened to their “best of “ everyday. I am forever thankful for that experience ,……I will also never let that happen again

YT Link: Pavement – Range Life
I love Crooked Rain so much,,, it takes me back to some of my few truly positive memories from high school. The good vibes wash away the occasional, inevitable case of “what the fuck am I doing with my life”.

YT Link: Melvins- Your Blessened
I was blasting this song , and just reveling in it. I expected that my band mates where doing the same ….. I mean how could they not. They were not! They wanted me to shut up so they could sleep.

Any CCR
Once in college I drove across the country just for the fun of it…!! After touring for many years, I cant imagine why I would want to do such a thing. Anyway this stuff is played as driving music. Ever notice how much Pavement steals from Creedence? Or Amelie steals from Chungking Express….I just noticed that last night……good for me. Maybe now I’m qualified to be a critic.

See all the contributions to Mixmas 2011

It’s got to be tough to make a video for “Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)” given that everyone in America has spent the past couple of months hearing it soundtrack a commercial for a car (to be fair it is a good commercial). But it’s done quite well with this stylized driving instruction nightmare.

Major Lazer’s video for their new track “Original Don” has crossed Napoleon Dynamite with a late night infomercial for ninja weapons. Great Diplo cameo squeezed in the middle of this, too.

If it’s December, then you know it’s Mixmas time at You Ain’t No Picasso! Each year I get a bunch of my favorite bands to contribute themed mixes and share their thoughts about each of the tracks.

MP3: Yip Deceiver – For All the Haters

Nicolas Dobbratz of Athens, GA’s Yip Deceiver picked a great theme for their Mixmas contribution. I’ve always loved songs that are hesitant about or even anti typical rock ‘n roll staples like sex and drugs. Here’s a smart, fun mix from a group that’s known for their smart, fun dance songs.

“Songs Exploring the Theme of Sexual Abstinence” by Nicolas Dobbratz of Yip Deciever

An intriguing theme in pop music to me. I’ve always wanted to make this list.

YT Link The Shirelles – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
“Is this a lasting treasure, or just a moments pleasure?” The ultimate day-after classic exploring the risks of “giving it up” and begging so many other questions. It’s no wonder the song went number 1 in 1961 and was subsequently banned from some radio for lyrical explicitness. It speaks to the woman, but ask a question of the man. I still can’t listen to it without personalizing it. A masterpiece of pop and a poignant expression of human Eros drama.

YT Link Cool it Now – New Edition
Almost hard to believe the sweet pre-pubescent voice of Ralph Tresvant is feeling such a deep conflict about all this, but in typical fashion New Edition transcends all and lays it down. The structure of the song leaves Ralph alone in the verses proclaiming his obsession while the rest of the boys warn him of the dangers of moving to fast. In the end, were probably not convinced that he wont do it anyway, but we appreciate “Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike” showing genuine concern for their friend.

YT link Janet Jackson – Let’ Wait a While
My all time favorite and perhaps the impetus for this list. Pretty much nails the theme on the head. Produced and written by Janet, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for the Control album. Just listen…I don’t really know what else to say.

YT Link Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam – I Wonder If I Take You Home
The updated version of number one on the list. More playful than the Goffen/King approach with perhaps a stronger female perspective. She’s knows what she wants, but also understands the risks. In the end the message is strong, but also sexy. Not an easy combination, making it an evolutionary step in the theme and a certified gold single that still holds up on the dance floor. One of my personal favs.

YT link: R Kelly – Seems Like You’re Ready
This one bends the rules cuz R Kelly was never really about not doing it, but I think it showcases the softer, and often misunderstood side of the artist. Realizing that he’s not the only one making the judgement call he carefully crafts the song as a poetic twist of romance and caution, never really giving away the conclusion. Number 5 was going to be Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing),” which is probably the most direct of the bunch, but I felt the need to challenge myself and I guess I slipped in a number 6 ha!

See all of the contributions to Mixmas 2011