24. I bless the rains down in Africa

BEST

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Happy Holidays!

23. But Amelia is asleep in winter. There are only prayers in a secret house

maudlin Of The Well is an American avant-garde metal group which has become well-known among connoisseurs of music for their unique, progressive, challenging and daring musical style. Their companion concept albums Bath and Leaving Your Body Map (2001) are their ageless legacy. We have on numerous occasions wondered how come their composition, entitled brilliantly Birth Pains of Astral Projection, is such a perfect single piece of music that we have ever heard. It is a perfect demonstration of the compositional ingenious and stunning imaginative originality of the band’s leader Toby Driver. The track opens with a smooth segment with hints to blues and jazz and features also a nice saxophone solo. The song takes a surprising turn as it jumps in to a exciting esoteric heavy metal mood with a mysterious guitar pattern, whispers and growl vocals. Again, the track takes a unexpected turn when it goes back to more peaceful pop/rock mode featuring the soothing vocal performance by Toby Driver and one the best guitar solos of all time! It is not just the guitar solo and how it evolves but also the musical frame which the band creates for the solo, that gives it a gorgeous dramatic power. As a cherry on top of the cake we have the cryptic lyrics of Jason Byron. You just has to hear the composition to fully appreciate its’ magnitude.

22. And tears that fall are blood from the heart, from the moment that we part

Mostly Autumn is a celtic-influenced progressive pop/rock band. The guitarist and singer of the band Bryan Josh wrote and dedicated this song, along with the rest of their of first album, for his father who had recently past away. We see the song as a perfectly appropriate for the last Advent Sunday when some people take the time to remember and honor those loved ones who have left this world for the next one. In this song you can hear the sincerity of the grief but also the love for a passed away relative. In addition, song closes up with a epic and gorgeous guitar solo.

21. We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

Nowadays there is on-going discussion about whether or not video games are a form of art or do they at least the qualities of being art. One recent game that certainly speaks in favor of this argument is the fantastic adventure/fantasy game Journey developed by Thatgamecompany in 2012. Game lacks of any specific plot and features a robed figure traveling in a desert as he or she travels towards a distant mountain. The game has no text nor dialogue and the only way of communication and interaction between the character and its’ surroundings is a musical chime. The game has both extraordinary visual and conceptual beauty in it and to accompany that, Austin Wintory has composed a stunning soundtrack. This is the first track, Nascence which is also featured on the menu screen and it captures perfectly the tone, and above all, the beauty of the game.

20. Traspasar los siete mares, espejismo tatuado, laberinto de conciencia y nacen cantes.

It is the last weekend before Christmas and if you still have something to do which requires energy, whether it be partying, shopping for presents, decorating the house, cooking... whatever, we are guessing you need a little zest in the form of music. To the coldness and darkness of the winter we will bring you a glimpse of the sun and the warmth from Spain. Ojos de Brujo (The Eyes of the Wizard) is band from Barcelona which fuses hip hop with flamenco along with various other musical styles. They have had always such a great energy both on record and live that it is absolutely stunning. Here we give you one their best songs, Todo Tiende which has also a nice eastern influence in it mixed with flamenco, hip hop and all the other elements that the band is known for. Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

19. OK that's it, I'm leaving now, I quit. I was unwise, so don't apologize

The member of our team who wanted to include this track on the Calendar was logically to come up with the description for the tune and this was all he could summon up: “Supertramp is a British, progressive pop and rock band and their composition Cannonball is some groovy stuff, a great track. I don’t know at all what I should say about Cannonball since I’m not so familiar with the band neither. Anyways, a hell of a song.” So, take a listen all of you and judge it for yourselves. 

18. Just believe in yourself and go there. The gift of hope on Christmas day

Shadow Gallery is a slightly underrated band, at least when it comes to technical and musical proficiency of the musicians, as well as for the compositions they have created before the unfortunate passing away of Mike Baker, their lead singer, in 2008. Christmas Day fits pretty well to the theme of this calendar, obviously and it is all a week to the big day! This is so much more than a piano ballad with incredibly beautiful melodies that tells a Christmas love story. It is an epic ride in the musical world of Shadow Gallery with progressive rock and tenderness combined with a good taste.