Watching the candles burn...it returns Wednesday night.

With a half-smile and a somewhat lighthearted *sigh,* my burdensome endeavor and your annual holiday treat is upon us in roughly three days folks.  This well may be the first time the Festival of Lights commences simultaneously with Christmas day, at least in all the years I've been performing my Chanukah routine on Wilfully Obscure.  Starting right around sundown on December 25, I'll be gifting you eight consecutive nights of the most coveted (or at least I like to think) volley of un/under-released vinyl, bootlegs, live offerings and demos.  Will I outdo myself from previous years?  In all likelihood, no, as the well gets a little more barren every year, but I'm going to sure as hell try.

You might be asking what initially motivated me to begin this tradition altogether.  For one, it gives me a convenient excuse to share several mind-blowing "gifts" instead of just one big reveal on Christmas.  Secondly, Chanukah represents personal relevance to me.  We all know you were envious of that kid down the block who had a yarmulke festooned to their head, who was given the privilege of lighting the menorah, and of course, reveling in eight glorious nights of presents.  Once again, I'm paying it forward.  Previous Chanukah entries have featured Wire, Velocity Girl, Jellyfish, Husker Du and Teenage Fanclub, but name recognition is hardly a guarantee.  As in past years, there will definitely be familiar faces, but also provocateurs that have never or infrequently garnered face-time on W/O.  Bear in mind that what's crucial and/or special to my ears may not be of equal essence to yours, but humor me folks.

At the top of each Chanukah upload will be a thumbnail photo of a menorah, with the appropriate number of lit candles to denote each succeeding evening until all eight slots in the candelabra are occupied on the concluding night of January 1. 

• Look for the first Chanukah posting this Wednesday evening, and then for the remaining seven nights 'round supper time all next week. 
• Mystery Monday will be taking a break the week of Monday the 29 so as not to disrupt or distract from the continuity of the eight consecutive nights of the holiday.
• Some offerings will be made available in FLAC (in addition to standard MP3).

That's it in a nutshell. Download responsibly.