So here are some new and different ideas that may also get you points for creativity:

1. Urban Outfitters have actually done the work for you.  They created a gift category for Audiophiles.  Here are some noteworthy items:

• Mix Tape Flash Drive
• Giant Ear Bud Speakers
• Headphones
• iPod DJ Mixer

2. Music books.  Here’s a couple of new and different ones:

• Lost in The Supermarket: An Indie Rock Cookbook by Kay Bozich Owens and Lynn Owens
  
• Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
• 33 1/3 Book Series by Various Artists
  

3. Concert Tickets.  Check out our concert listing on the “Live Music” section of The Listen for some suggestions.

4. And always a good standby, the collector’s music poster.  Find an awesome selection at GigPosters.

We hope this has been some help during this stressful time of shopping.  Happy Holidays from The Listen!

The Boy Least Likely To will be releasing their sophomore album, The Law Of The Playground, out on +1 Records in the U.S.

From their press release:

“this record should have been released sooner. originally, the album was scheduled to be released in the summer… but, last november when the band had finished recording, they took the album in to their record label, only to be told that the label didn’t exist anymore, the label had no intention of releasing the record and the boys couldn’t release it even if wanted to. stuck signed to a label that wasn’t a label anymore, they spent the rest of the year trying to get the record back so they could release it themselves, twiddling their thumbs and wondering if anyone would ever get to hear it”

But fortunate for us it has made it’s way to the surface and we can get a copy on March 3rd. Also check out their holiday offering “The First Snowflake”.

Additionally, one of my other faves, Neko Case, will be releasing her latest album Middle Cyclone on Anti Records on the same day. It will be her first new music in 3 years.

A little about the album:

“‘Middle Cyclone’ was produced by Case with Darryl Neudorf and recorded in Tucson, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Vermont. It features Case backed by her core band - guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, backing vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse, and drummer Barry Mirochnick - along with numerous guests including M. Ward, Garth Hudson, Sarah Harmer, and members of The New Pornographers, Los Lobos, Calexico, The Sadies, Visqueen, The Lilys, and Giant Sand, among others. In addition to twelve new songs written by Case, ‘Middle Cyclone’ includes covers of “Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth” by Sparks, and “Don’t Forget Me” by Harry Nilsson.”

It sounds awesome.

So as the count down begins for the New Year, I’ll be starting my own count down for March 3rd. Please join me!

(Neko Case photo via StarPulse.com)

Check out our article last month for more info on the album.  In it we mentioned that it was released on Sept. 12th, but that was only via Lisa’s site.

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Here at The Listen, we can’t get enough of the Fleet Foxes and are assuming you are the same. So when La Blogotheque posted a Take Away Show for Fleet Foxes, we had to share. They filmed the shows over two visits– once during February in San Francisco and once at the beginning of the summer in Paris. Their live shows are brilliant. Enjoy!

Check out more here.

His thoughts on the matter:

“Since I arrived here, I’ve fulfilled many of my dreams as a music lover, meeting and interviewing legends like Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson and Cat Stevens (Yusuf). I’ve also been able to set the stage for future stars, introducing artists like Coldplay, Damien Rice, Dido and Norah Jones on KCRW’s airwaves. I’m equally proud to have played many unsigned and independent artists and to be a champion for Latin Alternative music.”

“I’ve also been involved with a number of innovative projects to bring KCRW’s unique programming to a larger audience, such as launching KCRW Presents concerts in Los Angeles and other cities, remote broadcasts of Morning Becomes Eclectic from major music events, and videocasting and podcasting our live studio sessions.”

“As a parent of two young children, I believe it’s time for me to explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the Internet.”

I’m not sure how I missed this release, but I’m soooo excited a friend pointed it out.  Lisa Hannigan released her debut solo album “Sea Sew” on September 12th.  You may know her from the Damien Rice albums and live shows where she sang back-up/ dueted with him.  Some would say that she completed his songs, but after their professional split in March, she went on to pursue her own career.  She is one of the most talented female vocalists out there today and I’m happy she finally struck out on her own.

Click here to take a listen to her music.