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I'm snowed in
2007-12-16 16:45:00
All right guys, I screwed up. I missed yesterday's Christmas song. I had a busy day preparing for the impending N'oreastern. But today while the snow is here so is the R.E.M. 2007 Fan Club Christmas package. This year there are two brand new songs on the CD which is a change from the past few years which just had live tracks. So if you forgive me for missing yesterday, today I present you with "Merry Xmas Everybody" by R.E.M. Now don't say I never got you anything for Christmas. Enjoy!MP3: R.E.M. "Merry Xmas Everybody"

TGISTGA
2007-12-15 02:27:00
Two months from today will be Valentine's Day. But for now let's stick with the approaching holiday, CHRISTMAS! Today I've decided to abandon my normal cover of Christmas songs and go way back to a Christmas classic. This time I'm going back to the man himself, Bing Crosby. I think the first time a lot of people in my generation heard this song was in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It was originally released on Bing's 1945 White Christmas album. It is the Hawaiian holiday classic "Mele Kalikimaka". Enjoy!MP3: Bing Crosby "Mele Kalikimaka"

The Dream: Love Hate
2007-12-15 00:01:00
The Dream : Love Hate Singer songwriter The Dream releases his debut album via Def Jam records.The Dream is perhaps best known as a writer. He wrote Rihanna's hit "Umbrella". He also wrote for B2K, 3LW, Mýa and Nivea. With such a writing pedigree you would expect a great record.The original press release claimed the record would feature appearances from Jay-Z, Andre 3000, and others. The only appearances on the album ended up being Rihanna and Fabolous.I fear the Dream does not have the name recognition to carry an album on his own. He could have really used the guests. I have to admit a lot of his tracks are better than I expect generally from male R&B singers.Production on songs like "Shawty is Da Shit" and "Fast Car" remind me of old Michael Jackson dance songs. He also pulls off a Kanye West "Flashing Lights"-esque song in "She Needs My Love".There is a lot of downside to the album. He samples "Umbrella" in at least half the songs on the album. You'll be listening t...
More About: The-Dream

On the 13th day of Christmas...
2007-12-14 05:03:00
Today Surviving the Golden Age is setting a new precedent today. There has never beena 13th day of Christmas ! Okay, I'm probably exaggerating. I'm pretty sure Fox Family does the 25 days of Christmas too. But c'mon, give me a break. Today we have another Christmas treat. In 1999, ska band MU330 released Winter Wonderland via Asian Man Records. My personal favorite cut from that album was their cover of "Angels We Have Heard on High". Dan Potthast gruff vocal style makes the song. Enjoy!MP3: MU330 "Angels We Have Heard on High"

Bow Wow and Omarion: Face Off
2007-12-13 16:03:00
Bow Wow and Omarion : Face OffMuch like the two album collaboration between Jay-Z and R Kelly, Bow Wow and Omarion combine hip hop and R&B for a full length collaboration.The interesting thing about this collaboration is both of these artists who were child stars that are trying to shed their former image. Omarion had been in commercials as a child and was later part of the R&B boy group B2K. Bow Wow used to be known as Lil Bow Wow but he wanted to shed his image as a young teenage rapper. He shed the little but as of yet still hasn't quite revamped his image.Although I don't think many people were highly anticipating this release, the album does pack a serious punch. I must admit I hadn't heard Bow Wow rap since he dropped the Lil from his name, but he has some serious talent. From his first verse on the opening track "Face Off " he establishes himself as the star of the album.For the most part Omarion is confined to choruses on the album. When he does sing verses he...
More About: Bow Wow , Marion

STGA making Humpday Christmas
2007-12-13 02:18:00
I had minor surgery on my foot today. Nothing spectacular, I should be up and running in a few days. I got a chance to lay around and do nothing all day which was awesome. Tomorrow its supposed to snow which is always exciting. So today I bring you a little Christmas gift that was left in my email box by Kinch. They're a band out of Phoenix AZ and they recorded this little ditty "Christmas Time". Enjoy!MP3: Kinch "Christmas Time"

Hi-Tek: Hi-Teknology 3: Underground
2007-12-12 20:35:00
Hi-Tek: Hi-Teknology 3: Underground Five years passed in between Hi-Teknology volume 1 and Volume 2. Perhaps that is why its so surprising that just one year after Hi-Teknology volume 2, here comes volume 3.The focus of volume 3 is to feature lesser known artists. Sure it still features frequent collaborator Talib Kweli and other big names like Ghostface, Raekwon, Young Buck, Kurupt, T-Pain, Dead Prez, and Little Brother, but it also features a great cast of young talent.To illustrate this look no further than "Ohio All Stars". Everyone writes songs about New York City and Atlanta but Hi-Tek reps his home state by bringing in rappers like Cross, Showtime, Mann, and Chip The Rippa. All the rappers are relatively unknown but absolutely slay all while Hi-Tek's production is completely on point.Featured on several tracks is Dion. Not necessarily a household name, Dion is a male R&B singer with much more upside than current hit makers like T-Pain or Akon. Dion's hook on "Back ...
More About: Hi-Tek , Knol

What does Rivers do on Christmas?
2007-12-12 04:03:00
I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I don't have to work tomorrow which means there will be a good amount less of bitching from me today and tomorrow. Although I am coming down with a cold but its winter so that's par for the course. Also par for the course is "The Christmas Song". This version is by the ever popular Weezer. I am completely unsure who is the bass player on this song. Could it be Matt Sharp? I doubt it, it's probably Mikey but either way Enjoy!MP3: Weezer "The Christmas Song"
More About: Rivers

Wu-Tang Clan: 8 Diagrams
2007-12-12 00:31:00
Wu-Tang Clan : 8 DiagramsWu-Tang releases their first album since 2001's Iron Flag and their fifth album overall. It is also Wu's first album since the 2004 death of ODB.Wu-Tang has always been based on balance. There does appear to be a certain empty spot where ODB used to be. Through out the album they do make it clear what Wu-Tang's goal is.Wu-Tang has never been about flashy production or catchy hooks, Wu-Tang is about the rawest possible form of hip hop. They are eight of the most talented emcees on the planet and it shows on 8 Diagrams.Immediately stepping out is Method Man. You would never think this man was in How High. His verses are the perfect combination of smart, funny, and cocky.The next emcee that stands out to me the most is a bit of a surprise. It is the often underrated U-God. His 2005 solo release Mr. Xcitement was panned by many critics, but his verses within the confines of Wu-Tang stand out because of his distinctive baritone voice. Specifically his ...
More About: Wu Tang Clan , Wu-Tang Clan

Someone has a case of the Mondays
2007-12-11 03:24:00
It's me. I have a case of the Mondays and I have to admit I think I'm gonna have a case of the Tuesdays too. More ice today, bad commute. You know the drill. But I will not be deterred from my goal of posting a Christmas track everyday until Christmas. Today the Christmas songs comes to you via the Format. It is "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" and it was originally released on Santa Cause 2. It's surprisingly close to the original and although I'm not a big Format fan I really do enjoy this track. Enjoy!MP3:The Format "Holly Jolly Christmas"
More About: Case , Some

Gucci Mane: Back to the Trap House
2007-12-11 01:12:00
Gucci Mane: Back to the Trap House Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane releases his fourth album and his second of the year. Just a few months ago in October Gucci Mane released Trap-A-Thon, now in December comes Back to the Trap.There aren't many artists who can release more than one album in a year and have them be quality. The music is produced by Nitty, SupaSonics, Butta, Shorty Red and Zaytoven. They all take pages out of DJ Toomp and Mr. Collipark. The songs are very stereotypically southern.The biggest problem with Gucci Mane is he is not talented enough as a lyricist to be the only rapper on a track. Although he has a long standing beef with Young Jeezy, his voice is very similar. However, his lyrics severely lack the creativity of Jeezy's.The outstanding tracks on the album all feature more prominent artists. "Freaky Gurl (remix)" is the first single and features Ludacris and Lil Kim. Ludacris' verse really makes the song. In the same way "I Might Be" is a great track but ...
More About: Gucci , Gucci Mane

All I Want for Christmas is a Miami Dolphins' win
2007-12-10 04:09:00
The Miami Dolphins lost again. This time to the Buffalo Bills getting absolutely blown up. It was an incredibly depressing game. Usually the Miami Dolphins announcers sound downtrodden by games end but they were more so than usual. In an attempt to cheer myself up, here's a Christmas treat by one of the blogosphere's favorites. Sufjan Stevens has been all about releasing Christmas songs. He's released several Christmas albums the last few years. Here's "Angels We Have Heard on High". Enjoy!MP3: Sufjan Stevens "Angels We Have Heard On High"

Annuals: Frelen Mas EP
2007-12-09 18:12:00
Annuals: Frelen Mas EPAnnuals is one of those groups whose name had been hammered into my head but I never had really listened to them. The Frelen Mas EP is the electronically released follow up to their much hyped Be He Me debut.Like many of the blogosphere's favorite artists, Annuals is a combination between freak folk and avant garde experimentalism. Their music can easily be compared to the Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, or the Flaming Lips.If you've been a heavy reader of my blog, you know I have little to no love for those bands. Needless to say that leaves me with little to no love for Annuals.The albums second track "Run River Run" did catch my interest. It was poppy with a mild amount of avant garde, enough to satisfy Pitchfork. Annuals cover of the traditional "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" was another song that I enjoyed.Unfortunately those two track were really the only two tracks on the EP I actually liked. The last track "Frelen Mas" had a nice Broken Social Scene ...
More About: Annuals , Elen

Christmas day 8
2007-12-08 23:48:00
On the Eighth day of Christmas , my true love gave to thee 8 maids-a-milkin? Seriously, who gives other people as gifts? My true love is obviously a slave master and I don't know if I can love someone like that. Surviving the Golden Age gives much better gifts. Today we have R.E.M. doing the Beatles classic "Christmas Time is Here Again". The song was released as R.E.M.'s annual Fan Club Package in 2000. Enjoy!MP3: R.E.M. "Christmas Time is Here Again"
More About: Christmas Day

Isn't Friday like a Christmas present in and of itself?
2007-12-08 03:59:00
So after an inch of snow here in CT never have I quite felt the effect of the phrase "Thank God Its Friday " as I do now. Now tomorrow I do not have to endure traffic through Hartford with snow on the ground. Instead maybe I'll have a cup of hot cocoa and curl up by the fire and watch the Christmas classic Elf. Today I have a Christmas classic for you all. The Vandals original "Oi! to the World" maybe the best punk Christmas song ever? I think so. Enjoy!MP3: The Vandals "Oi! To The World"
More About: Present , Resent

Wyclef Jean: The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
2007-12-08 02:45:00
Wyclef Jean : The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant Hatian born rapper, producer, and guitarist, Wyclef Jean releases the follow up to 1997's The Carnival.A decade later Jean is incredibly less popular. After the Fugees disbanded in 1997, The Carnival served as the closest anyone was going to see to a follow up of the Score. The album sold very well based on the success of the single "Gone til November".Since 1997, Wyclef has released four album to poor results. Each album selling more poorly than the last.The Carnival II seeks to change all of that. As of late, Wyclef has been more visible than the past decade. He appeared and produced "You Know What It Is" on T.I.P.'s latest album T.I. vs T.I.P.. He also appeared on Shakira's smash hit "Hips Don't Lie" last year.I have to admit I have not heard any Wyclef release since the original Carnival.What Wyclef has always suffered from was an inability to pick a genre and stick with it. He bounces from acoustic folk to dance ha...
More About: Wyclef , Wyclef Jean

19 days til Christmas, do you know where your kids are?
2007-12-07 03:29:00
I know that song yesterday was pretty bad but today I have something I believe is much better. When Jimmy Eat World released this seven inch record, I was actually more excited to hear their cover of the Prodigy's "Firestarter" instead the real gem was their cover of Wham's "Last Christmas ". An impressive and joyous cover of an already super peppy song. So enjoy!MP3: Jimmy Eat World "Last Christmas"
More About: Kids , Days

Aloha: Light Works
2007-12-07 00:08:00
Aloha: Light Works Indie rockers, Aloha release an end of the year surprise. It is their first release since 2006's excellent Some Echoes.Light Works straddles the fence between EP and LP with seven tracks. They have always been a mixture of indie and math rock often featuring various forms of percussion, keyboards, and acoustic guitars.All of their other releases have always had an experimental side to them but Light Works seems to be very straight forward.Aloha has always had an acoustic element to them but this release seems to be content to just be acoustic.The tone of the entire album is very retro. The songs are moody and tend to not be very memorable. The track with the most potential is the opening track "Body Buzz". Featuring acoustic rhythm guitar and piano carrying the melody, it has a sunny feel for such a cold time of year in the Northeast."The End" has a Maritime feel to it. It's acoustic pop in its purest form and really seems like foray into a foreign world fo...
More About: Aloha

R.I.P. Pimp C (1973-2007)
2007-12-06 23:46:00
On December 4th, Southern rap legend Pimp C passed away from unknown causes. Best known as half of the rap duo UGK, the death comes suddenly and unexpectedly.As a white kid from Connecticut, I'm not the best source to speak of what Pimp C meant to hip hop or the South. From all that I have heard from Pimp C fans, he was the first real Southern rapper. He spoke like your grandfather spoke and he told it like it was.He was last heard on UGK's 2007 double disc album Underground Kingz which was critically acclaimed including by this blog.Officials have said drugs were not the cause of death but causes will not be determined until autopsy results return.He will be sorely missed. Condolensces from STGA to his friends, family, and fans.MP3: UGK feat Rick Ross "Cocaine"MP3: UGK "Pocket Full Of Stones"MP3: UGK feat Outkast "International Players Anthem"

Enough Christmas, what about Hanukkah?
2007-12-06 02:56:00
I got this little gem in my mail box the other day and I passed over it. Relistening to it, I decided it was just too ridiculous to pass over. Her name is Brigid Kaelin and she dubbed her genre "Jew Grass". She is a slightly tone deaf singer who recorded this up beat Hanukkah song titled "Mazel Tonk". I'm not going to lie and say this is good because it's not. But it's just bad enough to be pretty funny. Enjoy it and I swear I'll make up for it tomorrow.MP3: Brigid Kaelin "Mazel Tonk"
More About: Christmas

Daft Punk: Alive 2007
2007-12-06 02:03:00
Daft Punk : Alive 2007With the recent success of the FabricLive series, what better time for the most popular house of all time to release their second live album.Daft Punk has long been renowned for their live performance. In 2001, they released their first live album Alive 1997. Six years later Daft Punk has only managed to release one studio album, 2005's Human After All. Though that album was the most poorly reviewed of their career, they still have not followed it up with a studio album.Maybe strategically a live album was the better decision. Alive 1997 was given great ratings at its release and from the get go Alive 2007 has been amazingly reviewed.As much as I generally like to disagree with most critics, this time I must agree. Alive 2007 mostly contains songs from their previous album, the unique take that Daft Punk has on their back catalog during their live set. They mix in "Touch It" the Busta Rhymes song which sampled the Daft Punk track "Technologic". They laye...
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Must post Christmas tune or Santa will eat me
2007-12-05 05:36:00
I'm tired. I had a fairly long day it feels like and really the only thing stopping me from going to sleep is this nagging voice inside my head saying "post a Christmas song". So here I go. Here is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Coldplay. I think we have all heard many versions of this song, some better than others. Something about Coldplay's version is so melancholy, it just always seems to sum up the Christmas holiday for me. So here it is, enjoy!MP3: Coldplay "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
More About: Post , Santa , Tune

Ghostface Killah: The Big Doe Rehab
2007-12-05 04:59:00
Ghostface Killah: The Big Doe Rehab Tony Starks aka Ghostface Killah has enjoyed a lot of success as of late. He released two critically acclaimed albums last year, he is preparing to release another Wu Tang Record and he had enough time to squeeze out another solo effort. Three albums in two years is a lot and perhaps for the first time ever people are asking "is Ghost spreading himself too thin".The album starts off really nice. "Toney Sigel aka Barrell Brothers" features Beanie Sigel and is as hard as Ghost has sounded in a while. This track is followed by "Yolanda's House" featuring his Wu brethren Method Man and Raekwon. Another hard hitting track with excellent production from Ant-Live.Next is the first single from Big Doe Rehab, "We Celebrate". The song features Kid Capri and great production from the Hitmen sampling Rare Earth's "I Just Want to Celebrate".By this point in the album every one's expectations have gone through the roof. The album hasn't missed a beat....
More About: Ghostface Killah , Ghostface , Wu Tang Clan , The Big Doe Rehab

On the third day of Christmas, God gave us ice
2007-12-04 01:20:00
As a long time New England resident I am more than used to ice, but this was the first major ice storm I have lived through while holding down a steady job. The commute through Hartford was long and tedious this morning, the only thing getting me through was todays Christmas song. "Donna and Blitzen" by Badly Drawn Boy is one of the few modern Christmas tunes that is a classic to me. Why people haven't started covering this song every Christmas is beyond me. So enjoy the third Christmas post in our 25 part series.MP3: Badly Drawn Boy "Donna And Blitzen"
More About: Third

DJ Drama: Gangsta Grillz: The Album
2007-12-03 23:43:00
DJ Drama : Gangsta Grillz : The Album Following in the foot steps of DJ Khaled, DJ Drama becomes the latest DJ to release an album on which he does virtually nothing.Unlike Khaled who I can not stand, there is something about Drama I respect. First off, he is the official DJ of T.I. Secondly, he was one of the two DJs arrested by federal authorities and held under racketeering charges earlier this year.Gangsta Grillz is the name of Drama's highly lucrative mixtape series. This is his first release on a major label.Just like the mixtape series, the Gangsta Grillz contains a myriad of amazing artists. Guests include T.I., Young Jeezy, Willie The Kid, Lil Jon, Lil Wayne, B.G., Busta Rhymes, 8Ball & MJG, Lil Boosie, G-Unit, Project Pat, Three 6 Mafia, Freeway, Yung Joc, Jadakiss, Jim Jones, Big Kuntry King, Webbie, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and Tony Yayo. That's not even all the guests. Production on the album comes from Mannie Fresh, Don Cannon, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Jon, Dame Grease, ...

On the second day of December, STGA gave to me....
2007-12-02 20:46:00
I'm chilling at home watching and praying the Dolphins get their first win of the season. As a Miami Dolphins fan, this has been quite a painful year. But this isn't the time of year for pain, it's the time of year for pleasure! So on this, the second day of Christmas , I give you something more practical than two turtle doves. I give you Jim Jones' "Ballin on X-Mas" taken from the A Dipset Christmas album released last year. Enjoy!MP3: Jim Jones "Ballin' On Xmas"
More About: December

Twelve days of Christmas? Fuck That! 25 Days of Christmas
2007-12-01 16:53:00
This is the time of year for giving, so I'm giving every day from December 1st to December 25th. That's right, Surviving the Golden Age will be posting a Christmas song a day. The more important fact is for me to try and figure out something to write everyday, but no one said this was well planned.So here it is December 1st and lets set this party off right. This is one of my favorite bands, the now defunct Sense Field covering "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" originally by John Lennon. Enjoy!MP3: Sense Field "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"
More About: Days , Twelve , Fuck

Freeway: Free at Last
2007-12-01 02:03:00
Freeway: Free at LastPhiladelphia's Freeway releases his sophomore album, the follow up to 2003's near classic Philadelphia Freeway.Although from Philly, Freeway clearly has a New York state of mind. The album was executive produced by two of New York's biggest rappers Jay-Z and 50 Cent. Freeway's flow has never sounded more like Ghostface Killah than on this album. Although, he lacks the charisma of Ghost, the album still has a certain charm to it.Freeway said of the album: "There was a time when I could just go to Bassline [studios] and knock it out but it wasn't like that this time." Frankly it shows. The album feels very planned out and calculated unlike so many hip hop albums that have a few singles and the rest seems to be filler.Although Freeway's voice is not meant for radio, the production on the album makes all the songs on this album possible singles. Don Cannon, DJ Noodles, Cool and Dre, and Bink all add production to the album.The first single is "Roc-A-Fella...
More About: Free , Freeway , Free At Last

Various Artists: Radio 1 Established 1967
2007-11-30 03:32:00
Various Artis ts : Radio 1 Established 1967As BBC radio celebrates its 40th anniversary, 40 artists cover 40 songs one from each year of the stations existence. The songs are in chronological order, each artist was given a year and were allowed to choose the song they wished to cover. The only exception to this was the Kaiser Chiefs who were given 1967 and forced to cover The Move's "Flower in the Rain" which was the first song ever played on Radio 1 .You have to give the BBC props for this comp. Conceptually this is the perfect compilation album and tribute to the Radio 1.Now for the downside, this is a British compilation. For an America audience there are a lot of songs that never hit it big in the US and a lot of artists covering these songs that are relatively unknown to American audiences.The other problem is the artists that are big in the US don't always have strong showings on this album. Amy Winehouse phones in a poor reggae version Johnny Nash' "Cupid". The only Joh...

CunninLynguists: Dirty Acres
2007-11-28 02:49:00
CunninLynguists: Dirty Acres The fourth album by Southern trio CunninLynguists proves to be the groups defining album.With the South getting such a bad rap as of late, no pun intended, CunninLynguists latest release is a breath of fresh air. With no Outkast release on the immediate horizon, Dirty Acre perfect fills in the void.For those not familiar with the Lynguists as their name may make apparent, they are clever well versed gentlemen. They embrace the slow style of their geographical brethren but their lyrical content well out weighs that of Dem Franchise Boys. Their lyrical content is closer to that of Talib Kweli.On this effort they stay completely in house with production. All production comes from Kno. His production has a lush, epic feel which perfectly suits the groups overall lyrical mood on the album.The album's lyrical themes run the gamut of hopes, dreams, and the struggle. Unlike the Lynguists' early days there is no more clowning. Sure they are occasionally i...
More About: Cres