"Our forecast predicts a Wintry Mix..."--A dozen ways to celebrate your cabin fever.

It's cold. Very cold. Even in North Carolina we can't shake this cold weather. A few weeks ago we had what amounts to a blizzard in this part of the country. Covered in a half-dozen inches of snow and ice. The city was paralyzed and has been in an icy cold snap ever since. Normally I hate winter. The lack of sunlight and endless cold traps me in a bubble of depression. I'll normally break from my cocoon sometime in March as things warm up. This year has been different. A pleasant holiday with great family and friends have let me enjoy the winter months. Let's just see if I can make it through the bitter cold of January/February.

But, I"m not here to rant. I'm here to share great music. Below are a dozen tracks that remind me of winter. Being buried in the snow, the hurt of hard breathing in the cold air, the warm feeling of sitting by a roaring fire, etc. etc. You may be locked in your house cozied up in your Snuggie, but at least you can enjoy some great music during these bleak winter months. Here's to spring coming sooner rather than later.

"Our forecast predicts a Wintry Mix..."--A dozen ways to celebrate your cabin fever.
[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD]
1. "Neighbordhood #1 (Tunnels)" - Arcade Fire
2. "Valley Winter Song" - Fountains of Wayne
3. "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" - Frank Zappa
4. "Soft as Snow (But Warm Inside)" - My Bloody Valentine
5. "It Covers the Hillsides" - Midlake
6. "Cold as Ice" - Atlas Sound
7. "14 Cheerleader Coldfront" - Guided by Voices
8. "Winter in the Hamptons" - Josh Rouse
9. "Skip Tracer" - Sonic Youth
10."The Pull" - The Microphones
11."How to Fight Loneliness" - Wilco
12."Winter Wonder Land" - Animal Collective.

--Brett Albers

PS--thanks to nicholascaywood for some much needed suggestions.