The Davebrand Monthly Visitor

Courtesy of Neil Gaiman’s Journal.

Ever been in a crowd of zombies chanting “All we want to do is eat your brians?”

Part time mountain man/hobo, John Hodgman accompanier, retired code monkey, and the official troubador of Popular Science magazine, Jonathan Coulton gave two good sets in front the geekiest, nerdiest crowd of weirdos I’ve ever seen. I fit right in.

I don’t like to overuse the phrase “Is that a penguin in your pocket or are you happy to see me.” But They Might Be Giants, even closing in on a century on the planet (if you add John and John’s ages), can rock Stubb’s any Wednesday night they choose.

I’m very pleased with my surprisingly good album from Bia. (actually, Bia, with an umlaut over the i). She’s a Brazilian singer who sings sambas in French and French songs in Portuguese. Her latest album,

Coeur Vagabond

is a great mix of well produced songs that are both catchy and perfectly balanced. I confess she’s a bit high-brow — after all, the French and Canadians lover her — so she’s probably more popular in France than in Brazil. She’s a great singer and the album has perfect production. Worth more than a listen.

Bia - Ilha Do Mel Belle Ile En Mer

I cannot recommend this album enough

Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong

that is, if you’re a fan way beyond ordinary obsession and you simply must own every work that Ms. Lachlan ever produces. And you’re in love with her and/or Christmas. And you’re name is Sarah McLachlan. And you’re in love with yourself.

Seriously, why do artists produce Christmas albums where they cover the same damn songs that everyone else has heard before? What does Ms. Lachlan, Mc, add to Happy Xmas (War is Over) that John Lennon didn’t already do? How is her rendition of [insert song here] better than Joni Mitchell’s? The answer? It’s hers.

That is, the Christmas album is the proverbial “shark-jumping” career moment that every super-serious artist is bound to have. Please, Mc. Lachlan, smoke some of that legal weed your country is so proud of and leave Christmas alone.

AND ANOTHER THING…

okay, I haven’t listened to Sufjan Stevens 5-CD (yes, that’s right, 5-CD) Christmas box set yet. But I’m pretty sure the above holds for that as well.

Please, someone, save Christmas from itself.

THUS SPAKE DAVE.