8. I wonder what Aeris felt...When she was up on that altar...

In our modern digital times video games have become essential part of our popular culture. We value certain games as we do with the movies and books that have a place in our heart. One of the most important titles in video game history - as seen in so many best video games of all time lists and personal favorite to so many - is Final Fantasy VII by Square. Along with great game mechanics, massive length and original and intriguing story, the music composed by Noboe Uematsu is definitely unforgettable. The theme of the character named Aeris gives us goosebumps highly charged with childhood nostalgia. The unexpected turn in the story gives this theme also an additional special meaning...

7. I turn to face an empty space where once you used to lie, and look for a spark that lights the night through a teardrop in my eye

Sometimes on rather a rare occasion you come across a song that you really like but somehow rest of the material by the artist is not enjoyable - not even remotely. In our case one of the incidents took place with Irish celtic metal band Cruachan. Since during the Christmas times one should focus more on the positive things we will share their awesome power ballad Ride On with all of you. The song opens with a majestic flute melody and shortly the gorgeous female vocals enter. We also really enjoy the vocal performance by Shane McGowans who sounds like a Irish drunkard with his deep voice. The development of the song is also very satisfying as it gets constantly more epic with the guitar solo and all the heavy metal.

6. You say you've gone away from me, but I can feel you when you breathe

Well, if you have not lived your whole lifetime under a rock then you probably know Leonard Cohen at least by name. Cohen is a prolific singer-songwriter whose career spans over a half a decade. Songs of Love and Hate is one of his most praised albums and also our personal favorite. However, the one song that everyone remembers from the record is the beautiful Famous Blue Raincoat while the opening track Avalanche is often left in the shadows. Avalanche sets perfectly the dark mood - both musically and lyrically - for the rest of the record and showcases that Cohen is truly one of the undisputed geniuses of pop music lyricism.

5. Yo aprendí a descansar sobre tus hombros y a descender por ríos y laderas, a entrelazarme en las tendidas ramas y a hacer del sueño mi más dulce muerte

Vicente Amigo is the most important and innovative flamenco guitarists and composers of his generation. Since his first record in 1991 he has pushed the envelope in flamenco music fusing it with modern jazz harmonies and other music genres. Poeta is mix of flamenco and classical music as it features Vicente on flamenco guitar among with other flamenco musicians with a symphony orchestra. The concept and the tone of the record has echoes of the famous guitar concerto Concierto de Aranjuez by the Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo. The concept of Poeta revolves around the poetry of Rafael Alberti, thus the name Poeta. Amor, Dulce Puerte is a great piece demonstrating how poetic beauty can be translated into music.

4. I want to look at life in the available light

Rush is undoubtedly known worldwide but it could be argued that general public is familiar mostly with the material they did from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s. Even tough the band moved further away from their more ambiguous progressive sound to more straightforward pop/rock idiom they always kept their songwriting pen sharp. One of these “lost” gems that showcases this brilliantly is the last track on the 1989 album Presto titled Available Light. The song features the singer/bassist Geddy Lee on piano this time around while Neal Peart plays the drums tight as always and Alex Lifeson delivers a nice guitar solo. The strength of the song lies in the composition and the dynamics between the more emotional verse and the energetic chorus works like a charm. In the darkest time of the year we surely need all the Available Light we can get.

3. Laisse-moi devenir l'ombre de ton ombre

Ne me quitte pas (Don’t leave me in English) is well known 1959 French song by the famous chanson singer Jacques Brel which has been covered countless times and translated and performed in various other languages. Of all those covers that I have heard so far my favorite has to be interpretation of the Spanish flamenco singer Estrella Morente. Accompanied by very gorgeous piano playing Estrella sings the song (in French) with deep and genuine pathos with that rootsy flamenco nuance.

2. In my church, we don't believe in Mormons

Angels in America is one of my favorite television shows and its’ emotional core evokes feelings in me that I personally associate with the Holiday spirit as well. Everybody who is familiar with the show probably remembers the gorgeous main theme. This theme is spectacular and epic in itself, but there is a subtler chamber music arrangement of the composition titled The Mormons which has truly something of a mesmerizing intimacy. Spare two minutes of your Monday and allow this tune to enthrall you.