Daniel Knox has the type of voice that makes you believe what he is saying. I truly believe he wants me to have a merry little Christmas (listen to that cover here). I am sure you will feel the same. Listen to his cover of “Last Christmas” below. The song appears on the free Holiday album from Tight Ship Records.

Daniel has two shows scheduled in January. Monday, Jan 4th, he'll be back at the Hungry Brain for a You, Me, Them, Everybody event with special guests from the Classical Revolution Chicago outfit performing pieces for 2 flutes, bassoon and piano. Then he'll join Can.Ky.Ree and Singing in the Abbey (album release) at the Hideout on Thursday, Jan 14th.

The tenth song on our countdown comes from Flosstradamus. "Big Bills" features Caroline Polachek and was released as a single early in 2009. 

For a special performance of "Big Bills" feature Kid Sister tune into IFC's "Dinner With Band" tonight at 10pm. The crew and Kid Sis also help host Sam Madison make some spicy curry and play "Control" from Ultraviolet. You can find a sneak peak of tonight episode here. 

Bullets In Madison will debut some new tunes from their forthcoming album, We Became Your Family When You Died, at the Empty Bottle tonight, December 22nd. Have a listen to a brand new sampler track from the album (mp3) and come on out to the show. Camera and Milk At Midnight will also be performing. This 21+ show gets started at 9pm and tickets are $5. - Brendan Losch

Number eleven in our top 15 Chicago tracks of 2009 comes from Dave Davison and his side project Cast Spells. The song "Glamous Glow" is taken for the Cast Spells debut Bright Works And Baton which was released in July (Sargent House).

“From the dirty streets of Chicago to your bedroom”, this is what newcomers Mickey screamed over the top of their gritty guitar riffs for their recent HoZac Records radio spot. Whether or not Mickey’s view of Chicago is grounded in reality or not is not really the point, their back-alley garage punk sound is what has landed them on label that is also home to the like minded blog darlings The Smith Westerns. With scream-sing vocals from Mac Blackout, aggressive drumming from Christmas Woods, or the contribution from Mick Swagger, Dirty D, or Brent, the band is playing an angle, but has the talent to match.

HoZac announced this morning via twitter that they are releasing the bands debut 7” “She’s So Crazy”, and I would image they would have copies with them as they take the stage tonight at The Whistler for The CHIRP Radio Benefit. Modern Primitives are also performing tonight. The show starts tonight 9:30pm.