Holiday Music Guides!

The Daily Indie Staff (Brandon, Christy and Alisha) would like to present to you a guide to some of the best gifts for the music lovers in your family. Basically, we got a slew of cool CD's to review and here are our thoughts. If you would like a copy of any of them, comment on this blog and tell me which one you would like. Your friend, Christy.

Paul McCartney – Memory Almost Full

STATS: CD/DVD Deluxe Edition with 3 bonus tracks and 5 exclusive videos recorded this year in London and 2 music videos (one with Natalie Portman).

Christy - I got this for my Mom for Christmas! Mom, if you are reading this just act surprised on Xmas when you open it up. The deluxe edition is better bang for your buck, and if you downloaded the album online it’s nice to have a physical copy in your collection.

Alisha - I haven’t listened to Paul McCartney since The Beatles (OK, maybe Wings), but I was happily surprised when I heard this record. His voice is timeless and his songwriting is still great too!

Brandon - I feel like he's lost some of his lyrical prowess over the years, but he can still write a great pop melody.  Plus you have to get the DVD just for Natalie Portman! 

  John Coltrane – Interplay

STATS: 5-disc box set of Coltrane’s work as a sideman in the 1950s.

Christy - I feel cooler just holding this box set in my hands. If I got this as a gift I would be so happy...Hey maniaTV, how about you give me this at the holiday party instead of that mania 2.0 t-shirt. Anyone?

Alisha - Love it… Coltrane’s music is so sax-ual. Liner notes are superb! <3

Brandon - Super deluxe packaging for sure. When it comes to jazz saxophonists Coltrane is pretty much the king.  Better than Kenny G, that's for sure.

  U2 – The Joshua Tree

STATS: Double CD re-mastered audio plus B-sides and previously unreleased tracks

Christy - I totally 1987’d out in my car while listening to this. A good gift for hardcore U2 fans, or maybe a generous introduction to a young musically inclined family member. (Generous in the fact that it’s a double disc with lovely packaging.) Teach that 10 year-old Fall Out Boy nephew of yours a lesson.

Alisha - If you love U2, you’ll love hearing all the songs you’ve heard a million times before. The previously unreleased tracks are a must for the ultimate fan and U2 collector!

Brandon - Obviously this is one of the greatest albums of all time so the bonus disc is the only thing in dispute here.  U2 fans can't miss it, but the rest of us will probably be content with the original, lower-priced album.

The Staple Singers – The 25^th Day of December

STATS: 12 Holiday Classics from the first family of soul!

Christy - I’m not a Christmas music fan, but this album was great. One of the best holiday re-issues of all time. 

Alisha - Love the group, but a little disappointed that it clocked in at 30 minutes, I wanted more!

Brandon - If you even like gospel a little bit, this is a MUST for the holidays.  The sound is gorgeous and it's sure to put you in the holiday spirit.  LOVE IT. 

Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas

STATS: Deluxe 24-bit remastered and expanded edition, featuring the famous Peanuts characters

Christy - I have been obsessed with Charlie Brown since I was a little kid. This CD is too good to listen to. It makes me feel sad and happy at the same time, and then sad again and then happy and then sad and then happy and then….OMG was Charlie Brown bipolar?

Alisha - The best soundtrack to bring family and friends together for the holidays. A staple. A must have. Oh, and I think about Christy when I listen to this, because she loves Peanuts!

Brandon - I was surprised at how well I knew most of the instrumental tracks.  It will bring back memories and I'm sure something from this will make the best ironic-ending-to-your-super-hip-holiday-mix-CD.