Lost Cause by Billy the Kid is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy day in bed. Produced and mixed by Raine Maida, the album contains five songs that definitely moves beyond the expected 20 to 30 minutes of torturous twangy voices and corny lyrics that plague many folk albums. The tempo is just right and the acoustic guitar and the lead vocal sounds delightful. The album is very relaxing and hummable even after listening to the songs just once.

Being a life-sized douchebag has never sounded as cool as it does on the Matadors newest release, Sweet Revenge. From binge drinking to womanizing, and everything in between, Hooch and his Lucifarian brothers jive their way relentlessly through this album without missing a step. Sweet Revenge coincides with about the same moral equivalency of finding something funny about peeing on somebody in the shower without them knowing it.

When it comes to the art of the Christmas carol cover, rock and roll always gets the glory, but now it's time for the metal kids to get their shot. With luminaries like Carlos Cavazo blazing the frets and Ronnie James Dio on the mic, We Wish You a Metal Xmas will now be required listening for the second graders who can't stand the boring songs sung at their school's Christmas concerts.

Following a tumultuous year characterized by both triumph and tragedy, Kanye West spins his most personal and ambitious album yet on 808s & Heartbreak, a pop album by the rapper that contains little to no rapping at all. Rather than waking listeners up to the sounds of fame and fortune, West undermines his previously held perceptions of the good life as he comes to terms with his mother Donda's death, loneliness as a chart-topping artist and break-up with fiancee Alexis Phifer on the tracks littered throughout 808s.

If you're looking for some marvelous melodies this holiday season to counteract the same old, tiresome carols, have no fear. There are plenty of bitchin' bands coming through town to warm the cockles of your winter-chilled, music-loving heart.

Sebastien Grainger is hungry to play some shows. After releasing his self-titled LP this October, he's been on the road with his backing band the Mountains to promote the hell out of the record.

Patti Smith, Dream of Life is no ordinary rockumentary or biopic.

But because of this, it may have lost some of its general appeal in exchange for an adherence to an ideal. The film develops as a steam of consciousness, which makes it hard to follow. Scenes are connected tangentially, leaving the audience confused.

The Ex-Boyfriends are out to melt faces.

Their music is a brain-pan searing sonic assault, led by the yowling Djewel Davidson-- local DJ and Calgary music stalwart-- with a pounding assault on guitar led by Michael Paton. Backing them up is drummer extraordinaire Dean Martin, who plays in numerous bands all across Calgary.

Stuart McLean is cooler than any one of us. He spends his time writing his stories for The Vinyl Cafe while listening to albums like Wilco's Sky Blue Sky or Coldplay's Vida La Vida. Not only does he write stories about Dave, Morley and the family, but he also helps program the music and produce the show for the CBC. He also spends time behind the microphone as host for the show.

When it comes to touring, Lamb of God are about as ruthless as a group of war-torn killer chimps. They are in the midst of a world tour, including a December leg through Canada with Metallica to promote the release of their upcoming album, Wrath. Though they're still immersed in of spreading their music across the country, it's nearly time for these impervious relatives of man to brush the blood of touring off their teeth and get back to business.