@mmxmusic question of the week asked: Reportedly #Eminem, #FooFighters will headline #Lolla 2011. If they perform at the same time, who will you see? Why?

Here are some answers we liked from Twitter and Facebook. Follow @mmxmusic and watch for next week's question!

TWITTER

@TiffanyAnn327
EMINEM; It's not 1997.

@BopCityBeats
I'm going with the @foofighters. They are explosive live. Dave Grohl is a #genius (but I'd be painfully jealous of the EM show)

@theaccordance
Foo Fighters - Been to two of their concerts, own every album, and have a tattoo of the FF logo. It's gonna be epic.
@alroman84
Foo Fighters: Dave Grohl gets drunk onstage, and there are more performers on stage for your money.

@MattDusza
probably Eminem, unless Foo was guaranteed to have some form of Josh Homme involved. Mostly cause my friends like eminem more

@Spook1979
eminem cuz foo fighters stink!

@DaveyGsus
Eminem, hands down. While The Foo Fighters are great at what they do, Eminem is the best ever at what he does.

@Natalielabriola
This has been a big year for Eminem so I'll be heading to his performance! BUT I chose Gaga over Strokes and regret it now...

@Pkorvadi
I would probably leave

@OdinW
I'd rather see Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl is a genius. I wouldn't see Eminem even if it were free. I do like M&M's though.

@Rookiephenom
Eminem. I've waited 12 years to check him out live, see him rhyme, and this would be my first chance.

@SoxySS
I would go see Em. For his homwtown Detriot loving Super Bowl ad alone!

@OhmyOMI
foo fighters! The clips from their new album are ACE.

@SpreeLove
Eminem, only if he drives a Chrysler 200 on stage.

@Manu_P_Mishra
Em, if I had one shot, or one opportunity

@h3xkitten
Foo, no contest. I grew up listening to them and wouldn't watch rap live even if it was free. Eminem is all hype, imo.

@JustJoshBlue
Neither. Can't stand Eminem and didn't realize the Foo Fighters were even still around!

@Mrophelps
Grohl been around for 20 some years without fail, I say Eminem. Who knows when he decides to disappear again.

@yepsen: I know they found that time travel might work, but when did we go back to 2003? Definitely Foo, tho

@AndreaCordts
I'd see Foo Fighters. If I wanted to see angry/scary looking white guys, I'd go to a Sox game.

@MarkBeers
Eminem over the Foos unless they're playing against Muse. Then Muse > all.

@CitizenDino
I would see who is LOUDER. Because Loud is Good. So, The Foo Fighters

@Fabulosity22
Without a doubt, EM!!!! Eminem defined my high school and undergrad days. Plus he's the dopest lyricist ever

FACEBOOK

Danny Oarteygah
You dont see eminem at many outdoor venues.. This should be good.

Colin Joliat
Eminem. The Foo Fighters haven't done anything worthwhile since the Mentos commercial.

Steve Shanananabruch
Muse.

Daniel Robert Cigrang
Foo Fighters. They have a new album coming out soon and come next year, who knows if they'll be touring anymore.

Michael Andrews
 I would flip a coin a thousand times and still be undecided. Now if I can clone myself the decision would be much easier. Get on it Scientists!

David Langley
Hmm...which past-their-prime musician would I rather watch? Tough choice.

Katie Miller
Eminem of course. Best rapper of all time and how often does he do concerts.
Easy decision.

Chavon Miller
Eminem for sure. If I want to hear the Foo Fighters I can just turn on the Loop.

Bill Conry
Eminem. But only if he somehow performs the Chrysler Superbowl commercial in its entirety.

Junu Phillips
Tough call, but I'm going with the Foo Fighters. They are explosive live.
Dave Grohl is a genius (however, I'd be painfully jealous of the Eminem show). Sort of unfair to the fans to match them against one another.

One month ago, Christina Aguilera's phone rings ...

"Hello, this is Christina. Press 1 if you want to talk to my clean-cut side. Press 2 if you want to talk dirrrty."

"Um, hi, Ms. Aguilera. My name is Bob, and I'm in charge of booking the Super Bowl entertainment. How are you?"

"Hi, Bob. Not good, actually. In 2010 my album 'Bionic' flopped, I cancelled a huge tour and I got divorced. Xtina feels Xhausted."

"Well, you're about to get some better news: How would you like to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl?"

"Thank you, but honestly I don't think the public is interested in me anymore. I didn't even mention that my attempt at movie stardom 'Burlesque' was a huge embarrassment. I sang so many songs about burlesque that I can't remember the words to any songs that aren't about burlesque."

"I totally get that, Christina. But, hey, the movie was nominated for some Golden Globes, and that counts for something, right?"

(silence)

"Anyway, the fact is you've got a great voice, and there's simply no one else out there that can sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' like you do."

"You mean extending every syllable and making the song three times as long as it needs to be?"

"Exactly."

"But there are plenty of other big stars with powerful voices: Beyonce. Rihanna. Jennifer Hudson. What about Michael Buble?"

"Yes, Christina, but you sang the national anthem at the NBA Finals last year, and it would make my job a lot easier if we can just hire someone who's an obvious choice without giving it a second thought."

"Well, I wouldn't be a good Mickey Mouse Club alum if I didn't suggest you reach out to Britney. One warning: She's going to ask you less-than-innocently, "Would you hold it against me?" and she doesn't take no for an answer. You may need to at least hold it near her."

"As tempting as that sounds, Ms. Aguilera, your voice may be slightly better than Ms. Spears'. It's like comparing a bouquet of roses to the goo that drips off the bag when you take out the garbage. I mean, when your maid takes out the garbage."

"OK, I guess I can do it, but you have to promise me that the halftime show will be terrible. I refuse to be upstaged."

"Oh, absolutely. We're booking the Black Eyed Peas. They'll do insincere renditions of stunningly awful songs, and we'll even pair up Fergie and Slash--or, if he's not available, a Slash impersonator; what's the difference for an eight-second appearance--for a version of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' that will literally blow Axl Rose's mind. It will suck gloriously."

"That sounds painful. I'm in."


Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

On the surface, it might seem odd that a happily married couple is set to headline the Anti-Valentine's Day Party at Lincoln Hall.

But Gretta Rochelle (drums/vocals) and Jack Armondo (guitar/vocals), the married thirty-somethings behind My Gold Mask, don't exactly make music for holding hands and smooching. The duo's latest EP, "A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last)," finds the pair venturing even further into damaged art rock, with Rochelle singing cryptically of hiding "from the dark to come" as Armondo layers the songs with a horror show of prickly, slicing guitar riffs.

Reached at home in Wicker Park, the two discussed Valentine's Days past, the magic of kazoos and why burlap thongs should be all the rage. Click here to read our full interview.

Listen: "Ghost In Your Bed"

What do you think of My Gold Mask?

If you've ever met the kind of person who might identify as a fan of a band that plays, ahem, minimalist psychedelic punk, it probably won't surprise you to learn that there was a definite moment when an awkward lull settled over the crowd at last night's show at the Empty Bottle. Disappears, a Chicago band some people might describe in the above terms, had just left the stage, and the audience, unclear on whether to expect an encore, found a middle ground between leaving and cheering by choosing to stand in front of the stage and wait. A band with less poise might have quit there, but Disappears gamely took the stage for what turned out to be a blistering encore. This time, when lead guitarist Brian Case jammed his guitar into the side of a monitor and left the stage, the tone was much more clearly one of triumph.

And, see, all of this was appropriate because Disappears is not the kind of band you listen to for the songs. They're hard to distinguish from one another and not as much the point as the sound, or maybe even more specifically, the mindset. It doesn't take Case careening around the stage to make it clear that this music, with its monster guitar licks and propulsive drums, comes from a state somewhere between giddy and awestruck. Of course, it's a specific vision of giddy and awestruck as channeled through effect-heavy guitars and clipped, shouted vocals, but, for anyone who likes those things, this is a local band to get behind. Imagine if Sonic Youth made soundtracks for 1974 Dodge Chargers driving down panoramic roads, and you'll get the general idea. Fittingly, Disappears has been joined on recent live dates, including last night, by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, whose crisp, explosive drumming was a treat to watch.

Disappears, which has generated their share of buzz lately, possess a maturity and polish that usually escapes the average beach-themed blog sensation. This made their show a surprisingly upbeat experience. Instead of playing, disengaged, with their backs to the audience, as the songs on their latest album, "Guider," might lead some bands to do, Disappears played energetically, with guitarist Jonathan van Herik staring smugly into the crowd like some sort of Don-Draper-as-car-mechanic model of masculinity.

So, if the show ended, quite literally, on a triumphant note, with Case's guitar blaring onstage well after the band had left, it probably had something to do with the band's ability to take components that might have, in less capable hands, become cliché or boring - it's not always reassuring when a band says their final song will be 20 minutes long - and inject them with energy and passion. Also, the guitar attack on the monitor was pretty cool.

-- Kyle Kramer, Metromix intern

Chicago rockers Hemmingbirds answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "Mellow Gold Haze"

What makes your live show great?

We're a very diverse band with accomplished multi-instrumentalists and singers, so we bring in a mix of styles live. Shows will have Andrew Bird-esque viola looping, wailing guitar solos, instrument swapping and four-part harmonies. We love covers, so you'll always hear us trying to do imaginative songs like "Wouldn't It Be Nice." We also practice frequently, so we can guarantee that each show will be tight and fluid.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Delicious Anthemic Indie Pop Rock

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

We filmed a promo short for our last show where our guitarist falls in love with a fan (literally a heat fan) named Ana. He eventually catches her cheating on him and destroys both culprits. We've seen promo videos and commercials, but never a short promo film that stood on its own. It was a successful, unique concept that got people talking about us and the show.

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

I would want to work with producer Nigel Godrich. Everything he's produced has great writing and great production quality. He's worked with our biggest influences (e.g. Radiohead, Beck), and I imagine he can only help us grow tremendously as a band. I don't think I would ever work with Courtney Love. She's proven to be a terrible, self-aggrandizing person--especially after last year's onstage debacle.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Doug Funnie. He's an introspective, heart-on-sleeve kid with ballin' alter egos (QUAIL MAN!). He crushes on girls like the rest of us. He plays the banjo and writes songs. He has a cool dog. We have a cool dog. And we would wear tighty whities outside of our shorts as unabashedly as he did.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

Kanye West: "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." It's beautiful, emotional, raw, energetic, brave, arrogant, insecure--basically everything. It's an album that only could've been written at that point of his life and career. His mom's death, his two breakups, his MTV fiasco and experimental last album all lead up to this perfect album.

What song do you never want to hear again?

"Cotton Eye Joe." I hate that song. I first heard it in high school for learning square dancing and I thought, "Who the hell would want to remix this awful country song?" Turns out it's not a remix.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

We're starting to really love Lincoln Hall. The high ceilings and balcony are both beautiful, and the modern-yet-vintage design is great. It's a good size for local acts and national acts. The sound gear and engineers are excellent. It's also cleaner than most houses.

Chicago surf rockers Merlin Wall answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "The Wake"

What makes your live show great?

We are weird guys showing everyone how to make nervous energy fun again.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

garage dream-pop surf gaze

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

We started a band to meet Blake Lively (via increased entropy and Jimmy Fallon same night booking).

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

Because we love pop music, we would work with Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates or Max Martin--producer of 90s-00s megahits from Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Robyn, etc.  Locally, we'd work with the dudes from Flosstradamus to make some nasty synth sounds.  We would never not work with anyone, because we believe people are good.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Big Slammu of Street Sharks '94 because his most prominently featured attack was called "Seismic Slam", which is what we want our music to sound like.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

Robyn: "Body Talk pts. 1-3"

What song do you never want to hear again?

Any song with Drake, because we want him to forever exist in our minds as his character from "Degrassi: The Next Generation."

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

Empty Bottle because of exposed brick.

Despite a name that evokes summer sun and an endless expanse of surf and sand, California Wives possess a much chillier sound. Combining elements of post-punk, dance (at least in those bounding basslines) and dreamy shoegaze, this local quartet, which formed in 2009 and dropped their debut EP "Affair" towards the end of 2010, crafts polished pop nuggets reminiscent of their idols in New Order. Reached by telephone at his Roscoe Village apartment, singer-guitarist Jayson Kramer, 24, discussed his distaste for Harry Potter, his decision to forgo medical school and how the band's sound is (sorta) like the beat writers. Click here to read our full interview.

Listen: "Blood Red Youth"

What do you think of California Wives?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: Robert Plant and the Band of Joy appear in Chicago in April. Will you go or hold out for a Led Zeppelin show?

Here are some answers we liked from Twitter and Facebook. Follow @mmxmusic and watch for next week's question!

TWITTER

@Focuscope
I'll be waiting for Led Zeppelin longer than I'll be waiting for a Cubs World Series

@BopCityBeats
Can't hold out for Led Zeppelin, it may never happen. Plus, it won't be the same w/out John Bonham. I HAVE to go in April...

@ChrisAGriffin
<<< gasp <<<< Stalking & taking pictures are strongly encouraged

@ clh007x
Why pay good dough to see the unleaded version?

@ mottsThoughts
Zepplin for sure. Plant isn't that great by himself.


FACEBOOK

Jonathan Krass
Are they raising Bonham from the dead? If so, I'm in!

Brockeim Brock
Is Led Zep touring?

Denise Nathan
I would love to see him in concert.

Karl Leszkowicz
Led Zeppelin

Andrea Laue
Neither!

Virginia K. R. Hunt
Neither. I'd rather pay $ for Pitchfork.

Chicago rockers The Bright White answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "Red Summer Rose"

What makes your live show great?

It's epic, careening and always infectiously moody and loud. Not to mention we have songs that audiences love to sing along to, which always makes for an unforgettable evening. We'll hit you with all we've got and leave you wanting more.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Big, inspiring, driven, honest.

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

Our name stems from print design. That's significant because our songwriting explores the use of cleverly organized spaces to create powerful, pop-driven rock. Like a designer, The Bright White uses seductively organized spaces to draw you in and leave you with a memorable experience.

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

That's a tough question. There are plenty of people we'd love to work with, but most of them are dead. We all would agree that we'd love to work with Paul McCartney. We are Beatles freaks.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Our band would probably be Bugs Bunny, because we always make sure we get what we want out of life and our music.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

We all have pretty eclectic tastes, so this is pretty hard to narrow down. We're all record hounds. A couple of us agree that Band of Skulls' "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey" is one of our favorites at the moment. To be honest, we do a lot of listening to albums like "Revolver" by The Beatles. Or "Stink" by The Replacements. Or anything by The Who. That's the sort of stuff that turns us on.

What song do you never want to hear again?

That Delilah song. You know the one. I haven't heard it in a while, so hopefully the stations are taking a break on it. But this is the age of the iPod, and we never have to listen to songs we don't want to. Thank God.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

Possibly Metro. It's big, but not too big. It's got tons of vibe, amazing sound and has so much history. But we love many of Chicago's venues for different reasons. Double Door is also up there for us. Subterranean as well.

What do you think of The Bright White?

Chicago rockers Whisker Music answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "Calling All Moon Units"

What makes your live show great?

We're easy on the eyes. And our music! As we play there's a conversation going on between each musician that captivates the audience and makes them move uncontrollably.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Soul of rock'n roll.

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

Even though we're just a three piece, each player does the job of 5 men/women.

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

Work with: Alex Chilton, Neil Young and Bill Fay. Basically anyone who started before 1980. We'd like to learn from the old masters. 
Never work with: We don't discriminate. Even though some might make more sense than others, we're relatively open.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

[Cartoonist Robert Crumb's] Mr Natural, because he keeps it real.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

The Big Star box set.

What song do you never want to hear again?

Anything by Lady Gaga.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

It depends on if you're playing, or just going to see a show there. My favorite place to see a show is the Empty Bottle, but my favorite place to play is the Hideout.

Whisker Music
When: 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13
Where: Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western Ave.
Price: $7; 773-296-6024 or viaducttheatre.com

What do you think of Whisker Music?

Rapper Freddie Gibbs' music frequently plays like an audio version of the celebrated HBO series "The Wire," portraying the grittier side of urban life instead of reveling in the same wealth and materialism as many of his contemporaries. "I'm not going to talk about [things] I don't know about," says the 28-year-old Gibbs. "I don't have no Hermes shoes. I can't tell that story."

The rapper, born and raised in Gary, Ind., instead brings a photographer's eye to his autobiographical tales, which unflinchingly (and oftentimes graphically) detail the poverty, violence and crime that marked his upbringing. Reached by telephone in late December at his current home in Los Angeles, Gibbs discussed his feelings about his hometown, his political aspirations and why having 13,000 Twitter followers is preferable to 100,000. Click here to read our full interview.

Listen: "National Anthem (FTW)

What do you think of Freddie Gibbs?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: Gwyneth Paltrow hosts "SNL" on Jan. 15 with Cee Lo Green as the musical guest. Should they sing together?

Here are some answers we liked from Twitter and Facebook. Follow @mmxmusic and watch for next week's question!

Twitter

@mariob847: dear god no because mixing her questionable country newness with see lo's legit soul chops will not work well

@BHosley
Cee Lo can make anyone sound good, I say why not let Gwyneth Paltrow sing with him..

@iambillschultz: NO! It's CeeLo's song! Why must Glee ruin everything good?!

@ExpressSEXTed8: The should only sing together if its a joke with Andy Sandberg, nothing serious. Come on, she isnt that great of a singer.

@jkxz: No, because Gwyn will make CeeLo look bad. She's a singer, he just has a unique voice.

@mrvirella: no way. Although I liked her version, leave the song to Cee-Lo

@mottsThoughts: NO! He's an Xbox and she...well...sucks.

@WorldClassMC: No! Gwen was fine for Glee but this should be Cee-lo's performance only

@JackieKnows: I predict they will sing together since I read they are recording a duet of Fyou...

@xtrvagnce: who wouldn't want to hear Gwennie whine "FxxK you"

Facebook

Ray Young
of course they will. they just recorded a song together. tada!

Jillian SpankWilliams Allibone
No. I love Glee and their versions of songs (usually more than I like the originals), but she killed it. Her annoying presence should not have been included on the show, or let anywhere near that song. CeeLo should stand up and say a big [bleep].

La Ree
Gwyneth should not, she thinks just because sang in her upcoming film"Country Strong", she could blow away the audience in SNL. Plus, Ceelo has a high pitched voice, and it would super awkward to hear an inexperience voice along with the girly voice of a professional singer.

Katie Holland
YES!! I LOVED her on Glee!!

Maria LaMothe
With some autotune yes they should.

C Devaun Rashard C
I agree, why not? ... Ceelo was a part of the hip-hop/rap group Goodie Mob before his solo r&b endeavors. he has a great unique singing voice

Rene Paquin
I cannot forgive her for Duets (directed by her father) so, no, she should not sing.

Julie Aguirre
I thought Cee Lo was producing something for her already?

Christina Sidiropoulos
COULD they sing together? Sure--Gwyn's obviously got decent pipes on her, and Cee-Lo seems an agreeable and "Hell, why not?" sort of guy.

SHOULD they sing together? Not unless we want the Mayans to have been off by a year...

Chicago singer-songwriter Sara Masterson answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "Find Your Way"

What makes your live show great?

Well, we love rocking out and having fun, so the shows are always a great time. But we also want to give people musical experiences that are meaningful. Not just a great sound, but something that digs in a little deeper and reminds you there is still beauty and hope in this crazy world.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Rock with a dreamy edge.

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

Sara is married to one of her bandmates, and the rest of the guys have been best friends for years. When we all teamed up, it really felt like a musical family.

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

T-Bone Burnett. Definitely want to write a song with him at some point in life! We would never work with anyone who has starred in a reality show. It's just too much.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Sara could be a nicer version of Daria--pretty, but trying not to fit into mainstream. The guys are definitely Ninja Turtles. They are so fun and smart! They all have or are working towards masters degrees or doctoral degrees.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

Brooke Fraser: "Flags"

What song do you never want to hear again?

No offense, but Lady Gaga. All of her songs are just played too much.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

Definitely the Metro or the Vic for seeing live music. We love those intimate venues where you feel like you really get to know the performer.

Sara Masterson
When: 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8
Where: Uncommon Ground, 1214 W. Grace St.
Price: Free; 773-929-3680

What do you think of Sara Masterson?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: What's the ideal song to play on NYE and why?

Twitter

@Jenniferstraub
"I Just Had Sex" by The Lonely Island ... for obvious reasons.

@TheAudio
We may be 69 years away, but Yeasayer's "2080" (editor's note: pictured) will have me happily singing "it's a new year".

@TheGlassPhoenix
Auld Lang Syne (I'm a sap for a classic)

@PLSFinancial
No matter what year it is, I think Prince's "Gonna Party Like it's 1999" seems to be a NYE hit.

@psalmone:
Square Biz #RIPTeenaMarie and Rick James

@Lastcup61
Auld Lang Syne...anything else is blasphemy...Happy New Year RedEye

Facebook

Michael Andrews
Chelsea Dagger! There is no better way than to get pumped up about starting a new year!

Anna Marie Pougas
"New Year's Day" by U2 or "The New Year" by Death Cab for Cutie. Wait, did you mean happy songs?

Matthew Moreno
Party like its 1999 by Prince. That song is ALWAYS relevant.

Reneé Lee Greco
I think something hopeful and full of energy. This year I think 'Raise Your Glass' by Pink will be big. Its fun and energetic

Saúl Acevedo
The Time - The Black Eyed Peas / All Of the Lights - Kanye West

Karl Leszkowicz
Me so horny by 2 Live Crew is always appropriate

Bex Allen
One More Time - Daft Punk

Scott Nowak
Closing Time.

Reneé Lee Greco
Forgot Fireworks by Katy Perry.

Gabriell Addrianna
Stephens Bone thugs & harmoney - wake up wake up its da 1st of da month.

Keith Joaquin Oquendo
How about 'Remember the Time' by Micheal Jackson? No?

Alyssa LuvinGod Bell
Katy perrys fireworks, its all about being yourself and how that is something special in and of itself.

Derek Tam
Forever Young, either the original one or the sampled version

Kamal Bosamia
"Move Along" by All American Rejects. It's a fun uplifting song that can get anyone going when they're feeling like crap
Also "Beauty in the World" by Macy Gray because so many times in this day and age we all forget to look at the good things we have in our lives.

Carol Frankie Hilker
"Long December" by the Counting Crows. It makes the perfect couples skate. :)

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: What non-traditional holiday song puts you in the holiday spirit and why?

Twitter

@sdapasen
Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime' is the definition of a rock n roll Christmas.

@katiesidell
*NSYNC "Merry Christmas"

@tat2dcoyote
Indiana Christmas by Straight No Chaser :)

@pavignettes
Reggae Christmas by Bryan Adams!

@Ermiretrek
"Gonna Eat for Christmas" by Rosie O'Donnell and Gloria Estefan. A great up-tempo swing where the title explains it all.

Facebook

Kristin DeAngelis
Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey! Can't go wrong with this Christmas classic, we play it every Christmas Eve at my house, it is always cued up and ready to be played right when dinner starts.

Mary MzButterflyy Keith
Dick in the box by snl lol it's adult in nature but its catchy...

Nemoh Tosh Perez
The Jingle Bells Fart Song

Lisa Schulz
yule shoot your eye out - fall out boy. perfect song to help tolerate the relatives

Jeremy BigRemy Smith
ICECUBE'S today was a good day . It allways puts me n a good mood

Alyssa Flisiak
The entire Veggie Tales Christmas CD. We always listened to it on Christmas Eve at my grandma's when I was younger, and it just kind of stuck. Singing vegetables, why not?

Tony Peregrin ?
"Money" by The Flying Lizards. This sums up my feelings on gift exchanges during the holidays.

Becky Sonnack
Anything Trans-Siberian Orchestra! I can't STAND that Paul McCartney Christmas song!

Much of Paper Arrows' musical output sounds scarred by some great tragedy. "Everything dear disappears," band founder Joe Goodkin sings amidst the wreckage of "Things We Would Rather Lose," a gorgeous heartbreaker of a tune that finds him strolling amidst falling skyscrapers with the same broken, emotionally-detached aura that Bill Murray projects throughout "Lost In Translation."
 
That's part of what makes the forthcoming album, "In the Morning," which the indie rockers will make available for Monday's final show of their December residency at Schubas, such an interesting experiment. Much of the album was written over the summer of 2009 when Goodkin, 33, was courting his now-wife--an incredibly joyous period in his life. Reached in early December at his home in North Center, Goodkin discussed his therapeutic debut, his fondness for the blues and the genius of "Breaking Bad."

Listen: "Lonesome Sound"

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: What is 2010's best album by a Chicago artist/band and why?

Twitter

@RyanExport
Of the Blue Colour of The Sky by OkGo. Great songs and gnarly as hell.

@TheAudio
Maps & Atlases' "Perch Patchwork

@MaddiSraj
Suck On This by Shortstop From Tokyo!

@ProfesorMarvel
definitely mathematica by @makeshftprodigy. It's 1 of the most electric albums I've heard all year and primes u for them live

@c_prendergast
Not For Sleepin' by @CongregationChi - Classic soul w/ modern edge

@thesteamengine
@ModelStranger - Dreams and Bones EASILY!!

@BHosley
best album of the year is definitely gonna have to be Kanye West

Facebook

Scott Sandalow Hemmingbirds
Death Wave! How can you not smile when listening to these guys?!?!

Sandra A. Trevino
Echonine!

Ryan Yepsen
Is there really any competition in a year that saw the release of Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"? Let's be real, that's high on the best-of-the-decade list.

Henry Herrera
Let us not go any further than Mr. Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". Kanye's hard work and meticulousness really shine through on the album. Good for him, and don't call it a comeback either!

Victor Carreon
Mike Golden and Friends Trees EP

Kathryn Pratt
Chevelle (saw them monday night at House of Blues they were awesome!)

Click here or scroll down for my picks. What Chicago artists caught your ear this year? Who would you add to this list?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: Our #1 album of the year is #KanyeWest's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." What's yours and why?

Twitter

@beamish11
 My #1 Album of 2010 is Ray LaMontagne's "God Willin & The Creek Don't Rise". Why? Just listen to his vocals and unique sound.

@TheAudio
 LCD Soundsystem's "This is Happening" for single-handedly ushering me into the dance/electro realm I've avoided for so long

@THChicago
Ha! @TokioHotel's "Best Of", their biggest hits in two discs of pure brilliance!

@TedNtertainment
 Favorite 2010 album, The Glitch Mob's "Drink The Sea" because Chicago's electro scene makes it impossible to ignore.

Facebook

Erika Baroman
Definitely this album. A very close second would be Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs". Both albums should definitely be in everyone's iPods.

Bryan Simkin
LCD Soundsytem - "This is Happening." Hands down. Packed wall to wall with true audacity. It's a modern day Talking Heads freak out. And a go to for the commute.

Kelli Brennan
Bruno Mars - doo-wops & hooligans - excellent CD, his voice is amazing!

Junu Phillips
Black Keys - Brothers...as good as rock and blues can get.

Brad Watson
Robyn-Body Talk .....Not a bad track on there! Very upbeat album to help us all forget the bad things and just dance.

Julie Roberts
Mumford & Sons "Sigh No More". Period.

Mindy Zimmer
Kanye's album is AWESOME!

Erin Frisby and Chris Stelloh of Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "The River Made Me Do It"

What makes your live show great?

Onstage there is an organ, a lap steel guitar, a 12-string, a couple of 6-strings, a kick drum, a mandolin, a banjo and sometimes a harmonium or hand percussion. Then there's a guy with a huge beard and a girl with a voice that travels between a lullaby whisper and a wild animal howl. It all combines to create a dynamic, full-band sound that stirs the Americana pot and includes blues, a little rockabilly, a little mountain music, some Southern Gothic, Western movie soundtracks, AM radio country and a little rock & roll.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

trains
familiar
storyteller
lonesome
wanderlust

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

We met about 11 years ago in D.C. and enjoyed a brief fling, during which we each discussed the lack of committed band members to be found and joked about playing together. Fast forward two moves to Chicago, one divorce, one bout of pneumonia and several harsh winters later when I went to see Chris play a show at Subterranean. Afterward, we were standing there and he had his arm around me and it felt totally natural.
 
Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

Jack White. He's got an amazing grasp on crafting music without massaging all of the life and rawness out of it, and he does a great job with female vocals in general. We'd never work with anyone who would auto-tune our voices.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

We're both really partial to The Venture Brothers, but really, all of the characters are so inept and bad at their jobs and lives that I hope we're not like any of them.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

Both: "Wilderness Heart" by Black Mountain
Chris:I'm really into the Chicago band Disappears, they have a raw sound you don't really hear much these days.
Erin: Chris gave me two of the Cherrystone's psych compilations--rare one hit wonders from the 60s and 70s from all over the world. I can't get enough of it.

What song do you never want to hear again?

Chris: "The Day the Music Died" by Don McLean
Erin: "Sweet Caroline." We all know her name is Caroline. You don't all have to shout it. Or do the "da da da" part.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

Chris: Lincoln Hall has some of the best sound I've ever heard.
Erin: I finally got to play at Schuba's and loved it.

Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec.16
Where: Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Price: $TBD (21+); 708-788-2118

For years, Gina Bloom daydreamed about fronting her own group. Playing drums in a classic rock cover band, she would often bite her lip while the crew's singer belted out the tunes, her mind repeatedly drifting back to the same thought: "I could do better." Yet until September 2009, when Bloom co-founded The Congregation, an eight-piece collective steeped in Motown and classic Philly soul, crippling bouts of stage fright prevented her from seeking out the spotlight.

"Growing up, I could sing anything if I didn't think people were paying attention to me," says the 28-year-old, who was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown, Penn. "But when they were actually like, 'Gina, sing,' I couldn't do it."

It's a surprising admission from someone who grew up with music in her blood; the singer's father, singer/songwriter Bill Bloom, scored a minor hit when he co-wrote Frankie Smith's 1981 funk number "Double Dutch Bus." Reached via telephone at her Lincoln Park apartment, Bloom discussed her love of Elvis Presley, the band's fashion sense and the process that fueled the heartache in "Save the Wine," possibly the standout cut on the band's just-released debut, "Not For Sleepin'." Click here to read our full interview.

Listen: "He's Gone"

What do you think of The Congregation?

Click here or scroll down for my picks. What do you think of the list? What would you add or subtract?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: #TheBlackEyedPeas were confirmed to play during the 2011 #SuperBowl halftime show. Will that be fun or painful? Why?


Twitter

@NickGorski
PAINFUL. Fergie sucks & the Peas have some of the 2000s' most obnoxious songs. I'd prefer more dad rock e.g. the Who/Springsteen.

@peter_ramos
Black Eyed Peas performing the Super Bowl halftime show will be like getting a root canal without the novacaine


@gareman
they are so yesterday's news...they obviously couldn't get Lady Gaga to sign

@GVNI
Fun! Cause their music is heard all over the world and no matter what language is spoken we a sing to it.

@matthewmurray13
fun if Fergie pees her pants again

@HighImBe
BEP needs to take a cue from their last album title and just let it be "The End" ...of their careers...

@kbmciver
painful. following The Who, basically anything would be.

@CobaltInfinity
I gotta feeling once they get it started with boom boom pow imma be wondering where is the love... as the channel changes

@mottsThoughts
I got a feeling...thats gonna suck.

@brittcohen1
so much better than the past 5 yrs every1 has been extremely boring since "nipplegate" bring on BEP! Yay! I will tune in!

@MatthewGaydos
so they've given up on finding musical acts?

Facebook

Debi Wollitzer
will be fergalicious!!!!!

Lizelle R. Din
painful. oprah will run onto the field and punch each of them in the face if it gets more viewers that her season premiere show.

Bruno Pieroni
Playing in the SuperBowl is kind of a big deal. Are we POSITIVE the excitement won't make Fergie pee her pants again?

Crystal Peterson
Cool it's about time the Superbowl had a half time performer who had hit songs this century

Scott Sandalow
the black eyed peas are such 'safe stadium pop,' perfect for an incident-free superbowl.

Fernando Cahue
they sounded awful on the AMA's, hopefully they keep it lip-sync'd....everyone needs autotune these days.

Ryan Swartz
I assume I'll be too drunk by halftime to even notice them.

David Jerz Virella
If they play tunes from their latest release it will be very painful on my ears. I've heard it. It's trash!

Evan Thoreau Heigert
Not nearly as painful as the beating Urlacher and the Bears will put on whoever dares challenge them in Super Bowl XLV!

Bry Hearn
THANK GOD!!! A CURRENT ARTIST!!!! Wonder if we will have a waldrobe malfunction!!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy Russo
I pass. At least this will give me time to check in with Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl!

Chicago rap collective 21st Century Hip-Hop answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

What makes your live show great?

When you're at a 21 show you're gonna hear every single word clearly articulated and energetically delivered. Plus, we have big choruses that crowds can really get into. Nothing beats a packed room chanting, "I'm not internationally known!" And we have DJ Ceez, who is the illest of them all--as anyone who tunes into 88.5 Friday nights can attest.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

futuristic superlyrical bombastic truth serum

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

A friend was telling me to google ourselves, and as i typed in "21st Century" it suggested "hip-hop," as if 21st Century Hip-Hop were a common search query. It was like a "Wayne's World" moment where it seemed like people were looking for us. "Build it and they will come!!"

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

I'd love us to be on the same track as Lupe Fiasco. On the flipside, you will never hear 21 on a song with Rick Ross. I hate liars!!!

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe. He's just a badass ninja.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

"Dessert 4 Thought" off Joe Budden's "Mood Muzik 4" is an incredible track that makes you think. Same thing we aspire to.

What song do you never want to hear again?

I could easily live the rest of my life without hearing "Pretty Boy Swag."

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

Darkroom has this sophistication about it. Nobody's dressed bummy or tryin' to be gangsta. Plus they respect real hip-hop in there.

21st Century Hip-Hop
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
Where: Club Z, 6713 W. 26th St., Berwyn.
Price: $10 (21+); 708-749-1000

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: #JustinBieber took home four #AmericanMusicAwards. Does he appeal to anyone over the age of 14? Why?

Here are some answers we liked from Twitter and Facebook. Follow @mmxmusic and watch for next week's question!

Twitter

@ChristinaGace
I turned off the AMA's as soon as I realized Eminem was in the Pop Rock category, and #JustinBieber beat him out.

@torihatesyou
 Apparently the Biebs appeals to rappers who need to make a quick teen buck.

@jabrilfaraj
 because everyone wishes they could have been him when they were 14.

@swellsk
Yes! If you watch YouTube videos, you'll see he's talented: he sings, plays piano, drums. And I'm a serious musician.

@whiskkrz
I'm 24, and I'm not into bieber, but that angel voice is adorable & I'd want my kids to be blessed w/his hair. #bieberfever

@jalant
umm yes. Its love and in my eyes it lasts forrrrever. #thebiebster

@Colifer
he WAS the only performer besides X-Tina to hit the notes. Bonus that he played piano. Gotta respect that. I'm 25.

Facebook

Kevin D Blanchard
He is justin Timberlake of the future

Manuel Alejandro Cortes
HELL NO...HE SKIPPED THE DISNEY PARTS.

Veronica Rodriguez
No freakin way is he like Justin Timberlake! This kid is going down after he's 18!

Brian An
His appeal consists wholely in the fact that he is invited to such events in the first place.

James Tullis
No one at my sons middle school likes him and when the Dj asked to play the biEb the kids walk off the dance floor. I have never heard of anything or anyone so OVERRATED. "MEDIA HYPE"

Kevin Nitsche
his age appeal is being rewarded by the music industry because the 14 and under age group is the only age group left with purchasing power. Most people above 15, with real music taste, download music. 14 and unders make their parents buy Beiber's "music"

Jessica Kearns
most definitely NOT.

Mary Beth Cosejo
If their fantasies include a singing, pre-pubescent boy, my answer would have to be yes.

Dave Sorrell
All I know is that if he's the face of American music, I'm moving to Iran!

Dan Fenton Suvanaumpai
Who's Justin Bieber?

Debbie Propst Tesnow
Don't see the appeal at all.

Carlyn Morris
he can't sing.

Scott Bolohan
I hope so.

Eddie Sayago
Does anyone else notice that a Canadian won four AMERICAN Music Awards? Does this mean that Americans can't make a decent craptastic bubblegum song anyone?

Phil Melcher
Popular music awards are a joke. It's nothing more than a token of appreciation over who is the most popular and marketable at the moment. Even the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame has many inductees who have no business even being there. 

Chicago rockers the Corduroy answered our Chi-Tunes questionnaire. Do the same and your band could appear in RedEye and Metromix!

Listen: "I Want More Of You"

What makes your live show great?

We are tight, energetic and extremely accessible. We generally get a great reception from people who do not know about us prior to the show. We also tend to reach a great span of age groups.

Describe your sound in five words or less.

Carefully-crafted pop-rock

Tell us something random about the band, and why that's significant.

One of our favorite movies is "The Room." It is so horrible it's fantastic. We tend to have a strange and unique sense of humor and chemistry in the band, and this comes out in our live performance. We're not a cool band by any means, and we really don't try to be.

Who would you want to work with, and who would you never work with? Why?

It would be pretty neat to work with Tim and Eric from "Tim and Eric's Awesome Show." Those guys have a clever brand of humor, and it would be interesting to see how something like a music video would come about. Paul McCartney would also be neat. He seems like such a nice and genuine guy. As much as we love Third Eye Blind, Stephen Jenkins would be one of those guys we'd perhaps better leave to mystery. He seems kind of pretentious and, well, eccentric (not in a good way). Great songwriter, funny to listen to, but to work with? Nah.

If the band was a cartoon character, who would it be and why?

Perhaps the McDonalds character, Grimace. For one, McDonalds is very necessary to our survival on the road. But it's also the enigmatic aspect of it. What is Grimace? Animal? Vegetable? Person? What is The Corduroy? Pop? Rock? Electro? When people ask us to classify ourselves, we have a very hard time doing so. Like Grimace, people accept us, acknowledge us, and enjoy our music even if they can't categorize it.

What's the best album you've heard recently?

We've stumbled upon two albums recently. "Astronaut" by Salem Al Fakir and "Conditions" by Temper Trap. Both present very intricate songs in a poppy manner. Salem is definitely underrated in the United States

What song do you never want to hear again?

Being a pop band, we generally try to embrace and keep up with pop music. For instance, we don't necessarily like Miley Cyrus, but "Party in the USA" is a great song. That being said, we could really do without hearing "California Gurls" ever again. The fact that that song became as big as it did astounds us.

What is Chicago's best music venue and why?

We are partial to America's Historic Roundhouse in Aurora. There are few places where adults, teens, and children can come together to enjoy a night out and some music. The sound is always good, the drinks are fantastic, and the venue is beautiful. It's always a good time.

The Corduroy
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24
Where: U.S. Beer Company, 1801 N. Clybourn Ave.
Price: $5; 773-871-7799

If Fred Savage's video game-obsessed character in the 1989 film "The Wizard" had grown up and started a band, it might sound something like Chicago's I Fight Dragons.

Blending power pop and chiptune--a genre of beats created using vintage video game sound cards--the 2-year-old crew crafts melodic tunes that sound something like Fall Out Boy rocking out in King Koopa's realm. Reached by phone at his home in Evanston before the group's release show at Metro for new EP "Welcome to the Breakdown," 26-year-old founder and Glenview native Brian Mazzaferri discussed his early obsession with video games, how signing to a major label has altered his control-freak tendencies (the band inked with Atlantic/Photo Finish in February) and what it meant to win Metromix's local band contest Rock 'n' Vote in 2009. Click here to read our full interview.

Listen: "Welcome To the Breakdown"

What do you think of I Fight Dragons?

File this in the category of "news we did not predict."

Lollapalooza--Perry Farrell's music festival that began in 1991, took a few years off in the late '90s/early '00s and has lived in Chicago for the last six years--will take place in Chile in 2011, organizers announced today. (Don't worry, that's in addition to, not instead of, the Chicago event, held Aug. 5-7, 2011 in Grant Park.) The South American Lolla takes place April 2-3 in O'Higgins Park, with appearing bands yet to be announced.

The press release includes a Q&A with Ferrell, and we couldn't help balking at this line: "Local talent is essential to rounding out the experience of a Lollapalooza," Farrell said. We agree, Perry, but we also haven't seen evidence of that in recent years. Lolla 2010 was particularly disappointing, with Chicago represented by quality acts like Mavis Staples, Skybox and BBU, as well as inferior products like The Ike Reilly Assassination. Considering how many great bands sprout in the city all the time, the fest can undoubtedly do a lot more to, as Farrell says, round out the experience of the three-day bash.

Click here for a full recap of Lolla 2010. What do you think of Lolla heading south?

@mmxmusic question of the week asked: #The Beatles' songs are now on #iTunes. Do you care? Will you buy them?

Here are some answers we liked from Twitter and Facebook. Follow @mmxmusic and watch for next week's question!

Twitter

@ChefClaxton
Got all the albums off of #Limewire... before the courts ordered them to shut down :(

@ablivian
I could not care less. Hardcore fans already have all their albums. Not so memorable day. What day was that again?

@ptem
Don't care. Won't buy. Really wish the announcement was something good.

@angelgarcia
unless they are being remixed with @davidguetta or @RihannaDaily , who cares that @thebeatles were added to Itunes

@still_Jeff
2 or 3 yrs ago, it would have been amazing. But yesterday, my first thought was, "you mean they weren't on iTunes before?"

@axexdx
who cares?

@TheAudio
My Abbey Road LP sure doesn't play any differently.

@whoisfluffy
not only don't I care, I'm a little irritated that apple made such a big deal about it.

Facebook

Judee Barone
I care because I want to buy The Beatles version of 'Hey, Jude,' and not
Anne Murray's.

Scott Sandalow
Wow, The Beatles on iTunes! I can finally listen to Magical Mystery Tour for
the first time (sarcasm). This was supposed to revolutionize iTunes? Music
that is 40 years old will not revolutionize anything, Beatles or not!

Ray Young
Congrats itunes. But I will just go to the dozen or so Beatles CDs I own.
itunes is good for new music I have not purchase yet. they are about 30
years late on this.

Bex Allen
Already have the entire anthology, stolen off my alma mater's network my
Freshman year...

Matt Bartosik
A few of my friends have said it best: "Most Beatles fans already have the
songs among their mp3 collections." Seriously, does Apple think they are the
only medium through which to acquire music?

Michelle Burke
About time and I probably will if I can ever get their iTunes store to work!

Channing King
May pick up the three that weren't included in the mono box.

Sima Dahl
It will only impact me when AC/DC follows suit.

Henry Herrera
Steve Jobs calling the forthcoming announcement the day before, "Just
another day you will never forget..." is a little much. Chances are if you
really love The Beatles you already had them on your Ipod.

Brian Pokorny
Doesn't anyone who wanted the Beatles music on their iPod already have it
there, one way or another?

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg