Category: Song of the Week

With December in full swing, it’s nearly impossible to go anywhere and not hear holiday music being played. While Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole classics never get tiresome, it’s refreshing to hear a band put a new spin on holiday music.

That’s where Sean Smith and the Setting Sons comes in.

With a new release just in time for the holidays, their latest EP includes two songs perfect for the lonesome and those in love. Though the lyrics behind “December 24th” are somewhat somber, the upbeat musical accompaniment grabs the listener. With soaring guitar and polished piano interludes  joined by solid percussion and Smith’s relentless vocals, it’s hard to stop from humming along.

December 24th/All I want For Christmas (Is Mine Tonight) was produced by David Immergluck (guitarist, Counting Crows) and features Jim Bogios on drums and Charley Gillingham on keyboards. To purchase the song, visit iTunes and be sure to catch Sean Smith and the Setting Sons tonight at Rockwood Music Hall and December 17 at Banjo Jims. For more, visit their Web site.

It’s that time of year again! Thanksgiving is officially over and with any luck all the leftovers have been eaten and your holiday shopping is finished. (Wishful thinking, I know!)

As December approaches, I’ll be posting a new holiday song each week. So, be sure to leave your favorite holiday tunes in the comments and let me know if there are any unique covers you’ve been diggin’.

Earlier this year, I featured Adam Taylor as an artist to watch. The Pennsylvania native wrote a Christmas song for WXPN in Philadelphia and is offering his track, “Mrs. Mistletoe” for a free download. Instead of paying for the song, Taylor is encouraging everyone to donate to Music for Everyone, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and resources to strengthen the role that music plays in our schools and communities.

“This is my gift to you, a little song we wrote and recorded for you called “Mrs. Mistletoe” — Now let me tell you about “gifts.” I believe that giving a gift just because it’s an arbitrary date is silly. If a gift lacks personal sacrifice, it’s an empty gesture. This is why sometimes that macaroni necklace is so much more beautiful than a 20 dollar gift card to Target. Ask yourself this question — Do you need any more THINGS? Do you even WANT to make a difference?

I’m the musician that I am today because of the wonderful music programs that were offered to me as a child. If you enjoy “Mrs. Mistletoe” then PLEASE, as a gift to me, yourself, and especially the children, make a small, modest contribution to MUSIC FOR EVERYONE.”

Watch the video for “Mrs. Mistletoe” below and to download the track click here. For more information on Music for Everyone and to donate click here.

An incredibly moving song and equally emotional music video, Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” strikes a chord. Watch the video below and read my writeup about it on Busted Halo.