Kate Nash's Version of Habanera

E-Tree at Aquarium in Japan

The Aqua Toto Gifu aquarium in Kakamigahara, Gifu, Japan features an alternate energy source for lighting their Christmas tree - an electric eel!

Each time the eel touches a copper wire in the tank, power is sent straight to the Christmas tree.

Find more information here.

Five From My Playlist - 12/05/2007

1. "No One" - Alicia Keys. It took me two times of hearing this song before I decided I liked it, but now I really, really like it.


2. "Stop and Stare" - OneRepublic. The follow-up to the band's success with "Apologize" proves that OneRepublic's talent goes beyond just what Timbaland can create.


3. "Shake It" - Metro Station. This song is a throwback to the fun of 80s music.


4. "Into the Night" - Santana featuring Chad Kroeger. I love a solid guitar song, which Santana is always good for. The mix of the guitar plus Chad Kroeger's unique sound is a winning equation.


5. "Whatever It Takes" - Lifehouse. This is another strong hit from this melodic rock band. The special effects in the video are awesome.


Live performance:

Barneys Gets Their Green On

Rudolph the Recycling Reindeer finds a home for the season in the window of the famed Barneys New York, making it the first "green" window in the NYC history.

Rudolph, made of cans and other recycled materials, is also joined by a listing of the 12 Green Days of Christmas:
12 Tons of Tofu, 11 Solar Panels, 10 New Age Gurus, 9 Organic Carob Bars, 8 Tickets to Burning Man, 7 Sustainable Ostrich Farms, 6 Compost Toilets, 5 Rolls of Recycled Gift Wrap, 4 Fair Trade Futons, 3 Free Range Sustainably Farmed Organic Hens, 2 Vegan Chefs and a Pirus in a Pear Tree!

For more information:
- Barneys New York
- Article from the Observer

Cards With Meaning

This holiday season, try sending cards with special meaning - those that give back to people in need.

Here are a few sites:

- Inspired by Lillie - Donations go to The Loneliest Road Campaign
- Cards That Give - contains a list of charities with greeting cards
- Good Cause Greetings
- Heartfelt Charity Cards
- Hallmark - UNICEF & Project (Red)
- Children's Cancer Research Fund
- Alex's Lemonade Stand

James Blunt Visits Sesame Street

James Blunt mourns his lost triangular love on Sesame Street:

Five From My Playlist - 11/01/2007

1. "Time After Time" - Quietdrive. This Cyndi Lauper cover is even better than the original.


2. "Ruby" - Kaiser Chiefs. Catchy. It's hard enough to say "Ruby" three times, fast, let alone sing it.


3. "Jessica" - Elliot Minor. The band's tribute to Jessica Alba has a unique sound that really works.


4. "Mr. Rock & Roll" - Amy MacDonald. This Scottish vocalist/guitarist/piano/drummer has a "booming" voice and lyrics to match.


5. "How Far We've Come" - Matchbox Twenty. Matchbox Twenty is back in full force. The video is a montage of historical events, good and bad, making one ponder - how far have we really come?

The Dance of The Cucumber

New Music: Josh Groban

A long awaited Christmas album from tenor Josh Groban releases today. The album, Noel, features guest apperances by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It also includes two duet pieces with Brian McKnight and Faith Hill (okay, so it's not perfect).

Tracks:
1. Silent Night
2. Little Drummer Boy (this track is the highlight of the album)
3. I'll Be Home for Christmas (includes soldier tributes)
4. Ave Maria
5. Angels We Have Heard on High
6. Thankful
7. The Christmas Song
8. What Child is This
9. First Noel (this one is the Faith Hill duet and is easily the worst thing about the album)
10. Petit Papa Noel
11. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Josh plays the piano for this track)
12. Panis Angelicus
13. O Come All Ye Faithful

The album does not contain the previously released "O Holy Night".

Five From My Playlist - 10/01/2007

1. "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" - Patty Griffin. Love, love, love this song.


2. "Flowering Spade" - Sean Hayes. Wikipedia says "He has been described as playing Appalachian Ambient Folk music like an Irish rooster channeling Nick Drake." Exactly.


3. "Wicked Game" - Three Days Grace. I enjoy just about any of TDG's acoustic tracks, but I especially like this Chris Isaak cover.


4. "Songbird" - Eva Cassidy. Eva lost her battle with cancer back in 1996, at the age of 33. Truly a tragic loss to the music world.


Another artistic interpretation:


5. "Apologize" - OneRepublic. This band includes a cello, a piano and a lead singer who can really sing.