j's indie/rock mayhem - 12th december 2003

[a lovely tradition that grows by the year; christmas music. usually i end up playing a lot of the same songs each year. but admittedly, my collection of christmas-related music is limited. however, i think the ones i do have are a step above. remember that this wednesday, 17th december from 6pm - 8pm is the j's indie/rock mayhem Top 25 of 2003. i'll count down my list of the Top 25 albums of this year. the results, along with my commentary, will be posted here wednesday night, so check back and tune in. last minute nominations are still being taken via email and in the comment boxes.]

Theme Song - Peaches - "Rock Show"
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Steve Earle - "Christmastime in Washington" [kind of dated with its distinct 1996/7 aire, but still very poignant and dead on. come back, woody guthrie, to us now.]
Lapdog - "Father Christmas" [a cover of the kinks' classic.]
the Ramones - "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)"
the Flaming Lips - "Little Drummer Boy (live)" [from a transmissions from the satellite heart era EP that they put out. a beautiful live rendition of this holiday standard.]
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Type O Negative - "Red Water (Christmas Mourning)" [this song just flat out rules.]
Josh Rouse - "Christmas with Jesus"
Big Star - "Jesus Christ"
Low - "Just Like Christmas" [from their lovely christmas album from a few years back. the version of "little drummer boy" that's on it ended up in a gap commercial. it's rather stunning.]
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the Flaming Lips - "Christmas at the Zoo" [i usually shy away from playing an artist twice during a show, but both of these songs were just perfect.]
Tom Waits - "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" [not about christmas, per se, but still one of tom's best songs.]
the Pogues - "Fairytale of New York" [my favourite christmas song. period.]
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Grandpaboy - "Vampires & Failures"
Pulp - "Lipgloss" [flawless britpop circa 1994, from their his 'n' hers album.]
Blur - "There's No Other Way" [and while we're at it..from blur's debut album leisure from 1991.]
Uncle Tupelo - "Chickamauga"
the Handsome Family - "Gail with the Golden Hair"
Tiger Bear Wolf - "My eyes my vision"
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Toad the Wet Sprocket - "Don't Go Away" [always a contender for my favorite Toad song.]
the Scaries - "800 Miles" [witnessed their final show last night in carborro. good luck to all of you guys!]
Helmet - "Milquetoast" [apparently paige hamilton has re-united helmet with new members. it will be interesting to hear.]
Midnight Oil - "Blue Sky Mine" [a big hit in the early 90s...and for good reason.]
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Sleater-Kinney - "Dig Me Out"
Placebo - "Nancy Boy"
Supergrass - "Richard III"
Iggy Pop - "The Passenger" [by request. would but i get requests this good more often.]
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Weezer - "Say It Ain't So" [usually i shy away from playing weezer, but as lackluster as they've become over the course of their last two albums, this song seems even more flawless and unique than usual.]
Afghan Whigs - "Congregation"
Hank Williams Sr. - "Alone and Foresaken"
Michael Franti and Spearhead - "We Don't Stop" [by request. not a bad song at all.]
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Beth Orton - "Love Like Laughter" [this song always makes me think of sitting in this particular bowling alley's parking lot back home. very long story.]

Thanks for listening.