Somebody sent me Paul Robeson 'American Ballads'. Was a very strange pick, considering how I usually lean towards more instrumentally complex, or experimental stuff.

Suppose somebody was trying to expand on my limited love early African American folk music like Leadbelly, trying to give me something different, wanted to be **** sure it wasn't something I've already heard, or did so randomly. Yet, it almost immediately struck me as an odd choice.

With that said, I actually quite enjoyed it more than I thought. There was a lot of small elements that kept it fresh and unique through out. Paul Robeson's very deep voice also kept things very interesting. I also think the final overly patriotic finishing 10 minute piece was quite interestingly intricate, favorite probably being 'Water Boy' an a cappella piece with very very interesting use of backup singers. Very masculine, and powerful. Maybe a tad dated or cheesy at points, but that never deters me.

Good stuff, I well enjoyed my present.

Now, I'm going to do in very typical fashion take a stab at who gave me the gift. I have 3 sort of potential culprits in mind. So, here they are.

1. Billy Jerome - Always intrigued by his music taste. It's honestly not a whole lot like anything I've ever heard. It's not 'weird' music like I listen to, but it's very much it's own. I remember on mumu he used to upload a lot of 50s-60s era sort of movie soundtrack type stuff, early folk music, and world music. Could imagine this being under his umbrella.

2. The Phanastasio - Can imagine very much something she'd get into. She seems very historical about music, and could have spotted the blues musicians which make up my list like 'Leadbelly', 'Son House', etc. Knowing I probably haven't listened much to Robeson, and may like it as I like a lot of theatrical type stuff, might have sent it.

3. JackPat - This is another likely culprit in the sense he knows fairly extensively my music taste, and would probably be willing to do something I haven't heard before. He also has an extensive interest in early black folk music, even if particularly blues, and might send me something like this to catch me off guard, or mask the fact he was sender.

Anyways, those are my three guesses, I can't wait to see how close I am/not.

So it seems a thoughtful little bird has made sure I haven't gone empty handed this Christmas, and I thought I'd give my brief comments on the pile of music I received here.

Electrophonic Tonic gave me Power Move by Screaming Females, and I must say, great call. Power Move really appeals to the Le Tigre/Chicks on Speed/Sleater-Kinney fan in me. It's loud and abrasive, but with massive melody in it. Starving Dog was probably my favourite track, but there honestly isn't a bad one on it.

Thank you very much. I'm very pleased with this pick, you pretty much nailed it.

****, is there a deadline for these reviews?

I was too busy on Christmas Eve to download my gift, and I was rushed to leave my house yesterday because I'm currently staying with some relatives who live a few hours away, so I never got to download it. And I heard that I'll be staying until January 1st. D: (This is also the reason why I wasn't able to send you anything as well, Pedestrian.)

It's too bad, though. My gift sounds interesting after looking it up.

You don't need to review it at all if you don't want too!

Just tell us how much you're enjoying it and who you think might have given it you.

I can't remember when exactly, but soon Pedestrian will tell us who sent what, and I'm pretty interested to find out my secret Santa!!

It's not really a deadline, but the partners will be revealed on the 1st.

I'll put off the reveal if people are finding it too busy a time to listen to and remark on their albums.

I got "SuperCoolNothing" by 16 Volt. I had already bookmarked this album but never got round to listening to it. I think it made sense to send me this album as I am already into many Heavy Alt-Rock acts.

I was originally sent "Superunknown" by Soundgarden but I already own this and is one of my most played albums.

I am not at all sure who sent me this, but I am going for Above (may not even be a participant for all I know)

My secret Santa sent me 2 Foot Yard by Carla Kihlstedt.

Listening to the first song, I really wasn't sure I was going to like it. I'd looked her up before downloading the album and saw that she is associated with Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum, which is a band that is pretty hit or miss with me. And that's how this album was too. Some songs just weren't my cup of tea, but some songs I absolutely adored. My faves were "Peel" (love the jazzy vibe), "50 Miles" (my usual speed of folky goodness), "Gravity" (fantastic violin here), and "History". But the absolute best track that blew me away was "Flinch". I mean, what kind of ****ed up, crazy, awesome song is this? Her voice was amazing, and the whole staccato middle section was just perfect. Love, loved it.

So overall, I'd say this recommendation was a success. Would I listen to this album from beginning to end again? Probably not. But the songs I really enjoyed will be tearing up my iPod.

As for who sent it...I honestly have no clue. Since I haven't been consistently visiting the site this year, I haven't had a chance to really get to know too many people's music taste. I thought about trawling through everyone's last.fm and RYM accounts until I figured it out, but I just can't. Can't wait to find out though! :)

I received Strapping Fieldhands - Discus (1993) from my secret Santa.

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/albu...704/777356.jpg

This is certainly an obscure choice! My initial impressions were that of bewilderment as it's hard to know what the hell is going on sometimes. It's a very quirky left-field lo-fi indie rock album, sometimes resembling Guided By Voices at their weirdest or Beck's early anti-folk material. Listening to this for the second time the songs start to reveal themselves and you start to pick out melodies in the songs. Although the album is enjoyable it didn't quite set my world alight, but I can sense that this is an album that requires patience and repeated listening to truly appreciate. The standout tracks for me are probably 'Sad Lament of the American Indian' and 'Lonnie Donnegan's Mum's Tea Chest' and 'Mysterious Girl'.

Not quite sure who sent it to me. Whoever did must have a penchant for very strange and obscure music so I'm going to have a guess at either Jack Pat, Bob, or Stu.