Freedom Rock

Washington Post music critic J. Freedom du Lac is online every Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET to talk about the latest on the music scene: hip-hop, pop, alternative, country, alt-country, rock, reggae, reggaeton, R&B and whatever it is that Ashlee Simpson does.

The transcript follows.

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J. Freedom du Lac: Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the heezy/

Not a creature was stirring, not even Young Jeezy

The iPods were hung by the chimney with care/

In hopes that Saint Etienne soon would be there

The bearded elite were nestled all snug in their beds/

While visions of Pitchfork danced in their heads

And mamma in her 'do rag, and I in my cap/

Had just settled down for a freestyle rap

When over the speakers there arose such a clatter/

I sprang from the bed to the sound of Skynyrd's "Mad Hatter"

Away to the window I flew like Grandmaster Flash/

Tore open the shutters and put on some Johnny Cash

The "Pink Moon" on the breast of the new-fallen Phoebe Snow/

Gave the Gus Gus track, "Anthem," to the Freedom Rockers below

When, what to my wondering ears should appear/

But a miniature Viva K, and eight tiny Bob Weirs

With a little old drummer, so lively and quick/

I knew in a moment it must be Lars Ulrich

More rapid than eagles his kick drums they came/

And he whistled, and shouted, and pounded insane

"Now, Hetfield! Now, Burton! Now, Hammett and Mustaine!/

On, Newsted! On Trujillo! (But off with the manes)!"

"To the top of the riser! To the top of Paul Wall!/

Now mosh away! Mosh away! Mosh to 'Kill 'Em All!'"

As dry heaves that before Three 6 Mafia's "Stay Fly"/

When they meet with Interpol's "Obstacle 1" or Kanye's "Touch the Sky"

So up to the house party the Corrs they flew/

With the sleigh full of "In America" soundtracks, and St. Bono too

And then, in a twinkling, I started to raise the roof/

Upon hearing "This Magnificent Bird Will Rise" by San Francisco's Deerhoof.

As I drew in my hand to crank up the sound/

Down the chimney Cam'ron came with a bound

He was dressed all in purple fur, from his head to his foot/

And the keys to his pink Range Rover were all tarnished with ashes and soot

A bundle of bling he had flung on his back/

And he looked like his boy Juelz, or maybe Craig Mack

His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!/

His cheeks were like Stone Roses (and isn't this ripe for some 50 Cent commentary?)

Somehow, Cam turned into Bob Marley, wouldn't you know/

And the tips of his dreads were as white as the snow

The stump of a spliff he held tight in his teeth/

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath

He had an angelic face and not much of a belly/

No Elvis-like tendencies to eat peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches (hold the jelly)

He was iconic and inspiring, a revolutionary old elf/

And I felt irie when I saw him, in spite of Ronnie Self

A wink of his eye and a twist of his natty dreads/

Soon gave me to know I had nothing on my head

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work/

And sang "Redemption Song," then a duet with Solomon Burke

And laying his finger aside Weezer's "Dope Nose"/

And giving a nod, up the chimney with Loretta's "Van Lear Rose"

He sprang to his sleigh, to the I-Three gave a whistle/

And away they all flew, out of Jamrock like a missile

But I heard him exclaim, as he made an exodus out of sight/

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Jack White.

Freedom Rock, 2005

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OK, let's get to it.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Any comments about the Elton John nuptials?

J. Freedom du Lac: Yes, I have one: Congratulations.

[I am, however, annoyed by the timing. I'd wanted to talk to Diana Krall last week for a Christmas-music story that ran on Monday, but she was already en route to the UK for the ceremony. Thanks, Elton. What about MY needs?!]

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Silver Spring, Md.: I suppose your album-of-the-year picks won't be out until the year is over? Got a top few?

(I'd pick The Decemberists - Picaresque, but I'm its target audience)

J. Freedom du Lac: I do have a top few. In fact, I have a Top 27. But I'm still moving things around and trying to whittle down to 10. I'll probably settle on a list tomorrow. Alas, the Decemberists aren't in the running.

Interestingly, the members of the pop press have been getting emails and mailers from publicists recently, asking us to consider this album or that one for our year-end lists. It's kinda like the for-your-consideration Academy Awards campaigns that the studios wage every year. And frankly, it's giving me the willies.

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J. Freedom du Lac: News flash (courtesy World Entertainment News Network):

"MADONNA's latest album, CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR, has become an unlikely source of inspiration for a new line of wines. The limited-edition, collectible wines from California's Celebrity Cellars are priced at $29-$40 (?16-?22) and include Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. The wines sport a label with Confessions On A Dance Floor's album art."

Now playing: "Like a Verasion"!

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Richmond, Va.: If my fiancee loads up her iPod with Coldplay and plays it in my truck, would I be justified in erasing everything on her iPod and replacing it up with Willie, Waylon and the boys?

J. Freedom du Lac: Now, now - that sounds a bit extreme. I think you could just program the thing to skip the Coldplay songs. But you might consider adding the great Gretchen Wilson track, "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today." One of my favorite songs of 2005.

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Ashburn, VA: J,

I've been looking at ticketmaster to see when Billy Joel will be making a visit to the area. So far nothing. Have you heard of a date?

J. Freedom du Lac: I haven't. He might be too busy playing Madison Square Garden (something like nine shows booked so far). He's also booked multiple dates in Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford and, for some strange reason, Sunrise, Fla. Go figure.

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Washington, D.C.: Jamie Foxx, Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Jared Leto ... whose music is the best? Or rather, the least worst? Perhaps there's someone I'm leaving out...

J. Freedom du Lac: Oh, come on - you know it's all about Keanu Reeves and Bruce Willis!

I really think that Jamie Foxx has the most upside. He's a talented, dynamic and generally interesting dude. That's why his album was so disappointing to me. Instead of trying to create his own identity, he trapped himself in R. Kelly's closet.

But you can't out-R. Kelly R. Kelly. It's a losing proposition. This isn't the last time we'll hear from Jamie Foxx, musician, though. Hopefully, he does better the next time.

One of my favorite albums by an actor over the past dozen years is Mila Jovovich's "The Divine Comedy." Came out in '94, when she was just 18. She'd done more modeling than acting at that point, but she'd been in a few movies, including "Dazed and Confused" and that horrible "Blue Lagoon" sequel. The album is surprisingly good.

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washingtonpost.com: Jamie Foxx: Bed and Bored

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Celebrity Wines, Huh?: What 'cha think about a Snoop Dogg label? Might have to go on a gallon bottle label, though.

J. Freedom du Lac: Nah, it's gotta be a Mike Jones label. Chopped and Screwtopped. You heard it here first.

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Oh, A1 Boy...: Now that you've gotten on the front page, we'll have to show you more respect, I guess. I'm an avid Christmas CD collector (along with just about every other type of CD, for that matter) and I do like finding that rarest of rarities: a good original Christmas song.

Two current faves: Dwight Yoakam's Santa Can't Stay (dad tries to beat those nasty visitation rights rules by dressing up as St. Nick, trauma and heartbreak ensue; it's a riot) and Neal Casal's Cora Jones. I never heard the song before (and don't know Neal Casal) but it's on a compilation CD from Mojo magazine. Easily the saddest Chrismas song ever, but still beautiful.

Oh and then there's James Brown's Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year. He hits a couple of notes in there that could only come from the tree lights shortcircuiting...

J. Freedom du Lac: You know, there's an old saying at The Washington Post [at least among folks who work in the features/entertainment playpen]: "Style *is* A1." But I guess showing up on the actual A1 isn't a bad thing.

I love that James Brown song.

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Omaha, NE: Good afternoon, Mr. du Lac:

I just finished reading your review of Diana Krall's collection of classic Christmas tunes on-line. However, what I found amazing was not the sales numbers but the cover of the CD which accompanied the piece. What was going on at that photo session?

"Hey, Diana! Lay over that chair and look wasted. And now, spread your legs apart. That's it! This sure says classic Christmas songs to me, baby!"

I know Ms. Krall's audience is not a load of chipmunk suck-ups and red-nosed reindeer toadies, but this pic looks over the top.

Your thoughts?

J. Freedom du Lac: Hellooooo, Omaha. Interesting observation. There is a certain Versace-ness to the whole thing, isn't there? Maybe Verve is going for the drunk-on-eggnog crowd.

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washingtonpost.com: Up on the Chart Top: A Seasonal Music Avalanche

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R Kelly: So what is with R. Kelly? By this I mean, what was that horrendous video/movie/story thing he put out that at one point had some woman cheating with a little person who had gas? Did he actually release that on DVD or was it just on VH1?

Is he ever going to make normal music again? I'd rather be bumpin and grindin or believing I can fly.

J. Freedom du Lac: You're referring to "Trapped in the Closet," the weirdest, most memorable pop music telenovela of 2005. Course, it may have been the ONLY one. But who's counting?

There actually are some more traditional songs on the album. I particularly like the reggaeton cut, "Burn It Up." But really, it was all about "Trapped" this year for Kellz. And you'd better brace yourself: There's more "Trapped" madness on the way.

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Fairfax, VA: Care to look into the crystal ball and tell us what's going to be big in 2006?

J. Freedom du Lac: Google stock.

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It's 8 o'clock in Boise, Idaho: Brooks and Dunn are opening for the Stones and not the other way around?

Hope they're qualified to run defibrillators.

J. Freedom du Lac: Easy there, cowboy. The Stones are having their best year in a lonnnnnnnnng time. Their album is getting much love (too much in some quarters, if you ask me - Rolling Stone mag and Billboard have both declared it the second-best album of 2005). And they're kicking some serious arse on he Bigger Bang tour.

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Rockville, MD: If I asked Homey Clause to bring me two CDs, which two would you recommend?

J. Freedom du Lac: Give me some parameters. (Like, what kind of muzak do you like?) Otherwise, I might recommend that Windham Hill box set.

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Washington, DC: Am really liking the High Dials' "War." Have you checked out Stars' "Set Yourself on Fire"? I'm curious about your take on the band & the album.

J. Freedom du Lac: I saw Stars opening for Death Cab at the 9:30, and I thought they were really awkward. I had a tough time getting through the set. I think the music translates better on a CD player than on stage, because I like some of the songs. Especially the bereft "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead." I just wish the song didn't open with that Vincent Priceish narrator/voiceover dude. "When there's nothing left to burn/You have to set yourself on fire" is a pretty memorable line; why didn't they just sing it themselves?

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Washington, D.C.: JFreedom, a few weeks ago in this chat I came at you like a complete jack-ss, accusing you of not knowing "crap" about hip hop, etc. I'm really sorry about that. A comment you'd made hit a nerve with me but coming out you like that wasn't right. I have a broader issue as to why hip hop still doesn't seem to merit respect at major pubs like the wash post, even though hip hop, in the broad sense of the term, is easily the dominant popular music form right now. Despite that, most critics still come from a rock background and don't always seem to "get" hip hop. Your predecessor David Segal once said that he didn't understand why Fifty was so popular. To me, you obviously don't have to like Fifty, not all rap critics like him, but if you don't understand why he's popular then you really have no business reviewing hip hop. Fifty came out of the new york underground scene, he's not some record label creation. Much of rap is that way (see Crunk for example), but it seems like some reviewers are too disconnected from the "streets" to get it. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. And again, I apologize for acting like a jerk.

J. Freedom du Lac: We have no beef - though I just might get myself a "Fake Bro" T-shirt. [Or was that somebody else who threw that one my way?]

I really do think that The Post's hip-hop coverage is pretty strong right now. Did you read Dan Charnas' review of the Biggie album today? Dan was one of the original writers at The Source. He knows what time it is, having followed the genre closely since people said stuff like, "Y'all know what time it is."

We have some other strong writers, too: Chris Richards, Joe Warminsky, Sarah Godfrey, etc. And we're about to bring Jeff Chang into the fold. If you haven't read Jeff's book, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation," you might consider doing so. It's excellent.

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Rockville, MD: I would like Homey Clause to bring me two hip-hop CDs. Male artists.

J. Freedom du Lac: This hasn't been a great year for hip-hop albums. Lots of great singles, from the Young Jeezy/Jay-Z collabo "Go Crazy" to The Game's "Love It or Hate It." But great long-players are far and few between. My three favorites: Kanye's "Late Registration," Little Brother's "The Minstrel Show" and Cage's "Hell's Winter."

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Tenleytown, Washington, D.C.: Dear J: I wanted to thank you for review of the Bettye LaVette CD. Bought it yesterday as a present for myself - wow. It's great. Did you see Neil Young on Saturday Night Live last week? He looked 800 years old, but he sang a beautiful song, with a great arrangement. Have you heard his new CD yet? The song he sang, Only a Dream, is on it - is the rest of the CD any good?

J. Freedom du Lac: Yer welcome. The world really needs to know about Bettye LaVette. She's great.

I did see Neil Young on SNL. Strong performance. Can't say I love the "Prairie Wind" album, though. It's the "Return of the Jedi" of his folk-rock trilogy. I'll take "Harvest" or "Harvest Moon" any day over "Prairie Wind."

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Washington, D.C.: J - I don't know if you'll be down with this post, but its for charity, so maybe you can hook it up.

I want to invite everyone to the 6th Annual Joti Rockwell and The Ambalamps Network Television Holiday Extravaganza, where 100% of door and t-shirt proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen.

The show is this Friday (23rd) at Wonderland in Columbia Heights, 10pm. ($7)

Its an hilarious music show that me and some buddies (all good players) put on every year that features all sorts of Christmas music both good and bad, everything from "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" to "Christmas in Hollis," all the way to "Chipmunk Christmas Song" sung with the aid of helium balloons. Add in "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" in a Spanish language bossa and you'll get the picture. In short, we makes asses of ourselves musically to generate money for DC Central Kitchen, which is an AMAZING organization that fights hunger here in DC. I hope some of you can check it out. Happy Holidays!

J. Freedom du Lac: You had me at "Christmas in Hollis."

But wow - "Chipmunk Christmas Song" with a helium helper! I'm definitely down with this post.

If you're not busy on Friday night, chatters, you know where to go.

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Carmel, IN: Not that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame matters, but let's pretend for a minute that it does: Should a band get in based on one great album? I'm talking about the Sex Pistols, of course. Never Mind the Bollocks is a monumentally important work, but is that enough? I could ask the same thing of the Pretenders, who got in based pretty much on one great album. Lots of ballplayers have one extraordinary season; you don't see them in the Hall of Fame.

J. Freedom du Lac: So what you're saying is that the Sex Pistols are the Brady Anderson of rock?

To answer your question, though (and putting aside perhaps the broader question of whether there even should be a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) - yes, the Sex Pistols deserve to be inducted, absolutely. They started a revolution that transcended the music. Serious bonus points there.

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Washington, D.C.: Most over-hyped artist/band of the year?

J. Freedom du Lac: Coldplay.

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Arlington, VA: For the writer who asked Homey Clause to bring him 2 male hip-hop records, I think he should expand his boundaries to include females, too. Lil' Kim's record is excellent. Missy Elliott's is not her typical quality, but still decent.

J. Freedom du Lac: Agreed: That Lil' Kim album is good.

And Missy's "Lose Control" is one of my favorite singles of '05. Every time I hear that song, I want to bust a Kurt Thomas. The Cybotron sample has that effect on me.

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Washington, D.C.: Wouldn't it be more helpful if you offered say your Top 50 songs of the year?

Ever since I bought an iPod, I rarely buy albums anymore. (The last album I bought was Sufjan Stevens - Illinois. And even that album, I only really liked about half of the songs.) I buy singles, not albums.

J. Freedom du Lac: Yeah, maybe. It would certainly help me - I'm having the hardest time whittling down my singles list to just 10 selections. Something to consider in future years, I spoze. I'll be sure to post a bonus singles list In This Very Space.

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Falls Church, VA: So should I be really disappointed that I missed out on Pogues tickets, or just minorly annoyed, and secretly glad not to have to put up with yet another sold out 9:30 show?

J. Freedom du Lac: Yes.

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Silver Spring, Md.: With the popularity of the new Johnny Cash film, do you see American roots music expanding its base with a younger audience with its three chords and the truth simplicity?

J. Freedom du Lac: Only if MTV plays along.

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Washington, D.C.: Favorite concert you saw this year?

J. Freedom du Lac: I'm not yet prepared to answer this one until after I see the Two Browns (James and Chuck) at the 9:30 next week. I don't want to mistakenly give this thing to Dewey or Gore or whatever.

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Annapolis, MD: Hola,

What do you think of LCD Soundsystem?

I bought their most recent CD and was less than impressed. Am I missing something? The critics rave about them.

J. Freedom du Lac: What's not to love about "Losing My Edge," one of the more interesting music-scene commentaries since that great tandem of 1994 alt-rock radio hits, "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" (by Cake) and "Cut Your Hair" (by Pavement)? I also kinda like that track, "Daft Punk Is Playing in My Room." But the rest of "LCD Soundsystem" doesn't do much for me. I thought they were OK live when they played with M.I.A. at the 9:30 in June, but this is not a band that's threatening to change my life.

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Lost Springs, WY: Have you or any of your followers ever seen Unknown Hinson live? He was at the Iota in Spring of 2004. This guy is incredible - a kinda vampire rockabilly C&W shtick. For what it's worth, Billy Bob Thornton says he shouldn't be unknown. Fabulous guitar player and although he detests "rawk," he can rock with the best of them. Enjoy your diverse coverage Mr. du Lac!

J. Freedom du Lac: Never seen him. But sounds like I should.

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Washington, D.C.: New Travis album soon? Or do you dislike them as well? Happy Chrismukwannzahannuhuh-huh.

J. Freedom du Lac: I like some of their stuff. Especially that cover of Britney's "Hit Me Baby (One More Time)."

And Happy Festivus to you, too.

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Arizona Bay, AZ: What's your take on A Perfect Circle? Their 2005 political anti-bush record?

J. Freedom du Lac: Are you sure you're not the guy who shows up every week to ask yet another question about Tool? OK, probably not, since you didn't declare Maynard James Keenan a god of rawk. To (not) answer your question, I haven't heard the album in question. Is it better than the great Bright Eyes song, "When the President Talks to God"?

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Washington, D.C.: Hey, the LCD Soundsystem song is "Daft Punk is Playing at My House," not room. No hip-hop cred, misquoting song titles, how do you keep your job?

J. Freedom du Lac: House, room, closet, whatever. They're still playing there.

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Atlanta, GA: Unknown Hinson only plays rawk to show the youngerns that it don't take no talent to play that mess.

J. Freedom du Lac: Now it can be told.

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Olney, MD: If Bono is Person of the Year, what world is this again?

J. Freedom du Lac: Can't quibble with Time mag's pick, actually. Bono does good work. (Just ask him.)

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J. Freedom du Lac: Well, chatters, it's been swell. But I've gotta run. Have to get Daft Punk out of my cupboard and start baking some fruitcakes.

LiveOnline is dark next week. I'll be back on Jan. 4, ready, willing and able to argue about my year-end lists, etc.

Happy holidays.

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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.