Dammit, I can't make the thing play. Guess it doesn't matter, since you hate me now, but I'll try again later.

It's just an MP3, so if you've got a plugin installed that can plays MP3s, you should be good. I just tried it myself, and it worked. The other thing you could do is right-click on the link and select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." depending on your browser and then put it on your hard drive and listen to it from there. If you still can't hear it, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you.

Browser and/or firewall settings likely blocking the plug-in. I downloaded and now it's working. Thanks man, and Merry X-mas!

Pretty cool spacial effect, even on my two computer speakers it felt like a center channel, joined by right, then left. I can tell you put the effort into the production. You handle the high notes pretty well too. The song itself is not one of my favorites but well done.

This praise should not be taken lightly because I hate Christmas music right now. I withstood a gyrating Santa doll singing a distorted, loud version of Jingle Bell Rock in a forsaken government lobby this morning. Not once, but about once every ten minutes for about an hour and a half.

I have no sympathy for Mr. RPM. Try working retail for the Christmas season and you know what hatred is. There is nothing worse than having to endure Jackson Five's "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" at least three times a day.

With that said, I really like what you've done. I always think more harmony is good and I like the way you build it up: first, just melody, then harmony, then harmony in round. And the vocals aren't bad at all. A little shaky now and then, but all in all, this was quite ambitious and I think you pulled it off well. Now do "What Child is This?" and I'll be set to get through 8 hours of Barbara Streisand singing "Jingle Bells - The Time I Tried Crack" and "Where are You, Christmas?" by I Don't Know Who, but Whom I'd Like to Shoot.

i really, really, really like it. with the power of three really's.

but lauren, your jackson 5 hate makes me cry. a motown christmas is hands down, by a mile, my most beloved christmas album.

That sucked ass!!

I love it! merry christmas! hey, now that I have adobe audition (and not in german or japanese), we should collaborate..let me know if you ever want a cello on any of your songs!

RPM,
God gave Man stereo for a reason--I say we should use it. I'm obsessed with using the whole stereo range, and it just seemed fitting to have each part occupy a different space. Anyway, thanks for the kind words.

I've always had a problem with that gyrating Santa doll. It's always come across as extremely tacky and really, really obnoxious.

Lauren,
Thanks, dude. Yeah, the vocals are absolutely shaky at times. Part of the problem is that I seem to be able to sing better if I sing quietly, which is a strange contrast with my speaking voice.

Dee,
Thanks. And I agree--Lauren, don't hate the Jackson 5 just because you got burned out on one of their songs.

LMAO,
Fuck you, you stupid troll.

afs,
Thanks. We're definitely collaborating on something. I'll keep you posted. Let me know if you need any guitar stuff.

Apparently you weren't looking for honest feedback. In light of that info, I must tell you that was the best original composition that I have ever heard. Keep up the amazing work. I can't wait to hear what you come up with for Easter.

If what you're interested in leaving is honest feedback, it's more than welcome. If you read the feedback my friends left, there was definitely criticism there, and it was all fair. And I didn't call them trolls. Now, granted, my friends couched their criticisms in relatively sensitive terms. And, of course, some people might have thought it sucked but just not posted any opinions at all. I welcome criticism because it's the only way I'll get better and, frankly, no one is a harsher critic of my work than me. So it is not your criticism, naked as it was, that makes you a troll.

Rather, it was the absolute lack of substance. Lauren's criticism was that my voice was shaky. That's definitely true. Others might criticize that the harmony is relatively lazy or that, even though I did a serviceable job of hitting the notes, the tone of my voice just plain sucks. Some people just can't sing, and I might be one of them. There are many negative things that could be said about the song. But you didn't criticize, you insulted. You didn't offer constructive suggestions or even list why you thought it sucked. You just made an insulting comment and made up a stupid name for yourself.

You're not a troll because you didn't like the song. You're not even a troll because you left an anonymous comment. You're a troll because you left something you intended to be hurtful. Joke's on you, though. You and your ilk can't hurt me, so either fuck off or offer something constructive.

Here is my constructive suggestion. Stick to lawyering.

You know, LMAO, you're an annoying fuck. Not because you're a troll or because you've made pathetic attempts to be hurtful but, rather, because you haven't even shown me the simple respect of trying to be creative or original in your insults. And, really, you're not doing a very good job of being hurtful. I mean, you just told me to stick to my chosen profession? Wow, that cuts deep.

If you're going to stick around and cut me down, at least contribute something new. Otherwise, just go away.

Keep up the good work. LMAO is just jealous that he/she can't handle it when someone putsd their art up for public scrutiny. LMAO: you are a douchebag.

Keep up the good work. I enjoyed it. BTW, LMAO is jealous that he/she hasn't a creative bone in his/her body. It takes a pretty big set to put your art out there for public scrutiny. Oh, and LMAO, if you are reading this, you are a scumbag.

Sorry for the double post:)! I think the sentiment gets across! BTW, love the blog.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me...and you song still sucks ass. I thought that the purpose of your post was to "Please let me know what you think" of your song. I did. I thought that it sucked ass. I had no idea that I was supposed to offer a professional well thought out critique. Your post did not ask for constructive criticism or a comparison of your God awful song to equally shitty Simon and Garfunkel songs. Honestly, I can't tell you why it sucks so bad. It just simply sucks ass. Some people think that disco sucks ass, others think that Nirvana sucked ass, and others think that... sucks ass, well I think that God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" sucks some serious Christmas ass. If God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was the second coming of the Smashing Pumpkins (you apparently like them) greatest hits, I would simply say "that rocks" and not offer professional praise. Unfortunately for you and Art Lover, I have to say that you song sucks ass.

Like Art Lover, I am going to have to apologize for this double post, but I have to agree with him/her in saying that it takes a big set of stones to offer your art for public scrutiny (Simple but true statement. No thesis required, right?). But all of the Here is No Why fans already know that you have a big set of stones. How else can anyone explain your choice of choosing to post a picture of yourself wearing a tie that probably was fashionable in the 80's and a hat that looks like Abe Lincoln handed it down to you?! A big set of stones and an ability to laugh at yourself.

My creative juices are flowing so I have to offer a third post so that I don't feel like I just copied Art Lover. BTW, I also love your blog. The following review is offered by LMAO: "Ishmael's choice of artfully balancing (1) entertaining your audience with humor and interactive polls while (2) mixing in a few heartfelt posts is genius. The Here is No Why audience doesn't know what to expect on a day to day basis. Are we going to laugh or cry? Ishmael's creative use of terms like "fuck" and "troll" are second to none. Not since the classic days of Andrew Dice Clay has America been exposed to such creativity and art that is sure to stand the test of time. A toast to Ishmael Dice Clay II." Newsweek, LMAO, 1/2/08.
Simply put Here is No Why rocks!!