Retrocrush - Retro Culture From The 70's - 90's

Retrocrush has long been one of my favorite websites, covering retro culture from the 70's - 90's with humor, yet always with a sense of fondness, rather than the snarkiness you find with other similar websites. They also have a fun podcast, now numbering around 130 episodes. If you were born in the 60's or 70's I highly recommend checking it out. In any case, the latest site update added a piece about poor/gimmicky toys of the past, appropriate at this time of year when many people, especially with kids, have loads of toys floating around the house. Santa gave me a Magic 8-Ball this year, something I always wanted as a kid, but never got until this year. This is among 20 or so toys covered in the article - they've even linked to YouTube clips of some retro commercials.

Sandy Nelson - Live In Las Vegas Download

The blogsite 45's to MP3's has Sandy Nelson's Live! In Las Vegas LP available for download - this recording features Gerry McGee of The Ventures!

Hondells "Sea Cruise" Scopitone Vid For Free Download

Okay, I've been blogging like crazy today - this will be the last one, but it was too good not to post. One of my favorite blog sites, Bedazzled, has this vintage Hondells Scopitone available for download.

Crazy Christmas Light Display Synchronized To 80's Videogame Music

Funny We Are Scientists Holiday Clip

Richard Hawley - Silent Night + Seattle Concert - Free Download

Richard Hawley has been one of my favorite non-surf/garage/rockabilly artists of 2007 - this ex-Pulp guitarist/singer has a great sound that mixes a little bit of Elvis, Roy Orbison and Morrissey. I highly recommend his latest CD, Lady's Bridge, but if you've already spent all you can this holiday season, definitely get his take on the holiday classic, "Silent Night", from his mySpace page. I had tickets for his recent Seattle show at the now-defunct Crocodile Cafe, but had to give them up since I already had tickets to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings here in Bellingham. Luckily, someone captured a soundboard recording, complete with artwork, which you can download here.

New Monorail Arrives At Disneyland

My kids have been obsessed with monorails ever since they were about 3 years old. We're lucky enough to have one in nearby Seattle, but haven't made it to Disneyland quite yet (although my kids have a motorized toy Disneyland monorail system). The real Disneyland monorail hasn't been in operation for about 20 years, but it's back now! This photo is from the 60's, but the article linked here has photos of the new monorail being lowered onto the track.

The Star Wars Christmas Special In 5 Minutes!

Original Frosty The Snowman Cartoon

Hooray For Santy Claus - Free Download

One movie I have to see each year is Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (which you can download for free by clicking here, although I prefer the Santa Claus Conquers The Martians). The theme song gets stuck in my head for days - I have the original ripped from the DVD at home, but here is a nicely done remake, along with an instrumental version, recorded by Señor Tonto and available for free download!

Possibly The Dumbest Website Ever - Is It Christmas?

Just stumbled across this website, just in time for the holidays!

Mr. Rogers Plays Donkey Kong

Photoshop Celebrity Star Wars

This site has all sorts of funny Photoshop contests - one of the recent contests was celebs mashed up with Star Wars characters. This one's Gary Coleman as Yoda - "What'cha talkin' bout, Skywalker"?

Bryan Adams - Reggae Christmas

Disneyland's House Of The Future

Absurd British Double Decker Bus Race

The Year Christmas Almost Wasn't

Brian Wilson - Smart Girls Rap

Oh my brain hurts after listening to this. I guess if you're a Beach Boys completest you've got to have this, but may, it's pretty horrible.

WFMU's Beware Of The Blog - Country Fuzz Spectacular (MP3s)

Okay, so we all know about how Davie Allan is the "King of the Fuzz Guitar", with his trademark sound appearing on virtually every track he's ever recorded. Well, who knew there was a genre of music called "country-fuzz"? WFMU has a whole bunch of downloads, from country stars of the 60's and 70's like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson and the Willis Brothers - amazing stuff!