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So I wanted to take a moment to say a few things. First, I want to thank everyone, all of the fans, all of the artists who've contributed to the albums over the years; you have my heartfelt gratitude and it has been an honor to help keep this album series going all these years. Secondly, about the updated site; part of the reason for the update is that I'm learning frontend development, well trying to at any rate, that said a site update has been long overdue. Going forward all of the albums will be on the main page, and they will be chronologically newest to oldest. This means no more clicking around to each volume to grab the albums you want. You can do that from the home page. This also has made my life easier and increased the speed at which I can get everything done and posted. I think I just spent about 20 minutes adding all the information onto the site itself, testing it, and then uploading it all to the server. I used to have to go to each and every page to update navigation and that was a very time consuming task. So, there's that. I've also long wanted to change the color scheme. Initially, I was going to stick with green because I love the color, but also because it featured on the original version of the site. I decided to mix it up a bit and go with a blue color scheme, and I think it's a lot nicer. The Coop should be adding the link to the site to the top of this thread soon-ish. That said, for now, I'll post the link here: https://williammichael.info/aocc Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Enjoy volume 17!

This thing again? Yep. Another year, another album of various songs done up in a Christmasy style in multiple genres. There are 15 remixes for you enjoy this holiday season, making for just under an hour of tunage. And on behalf of everyone involved, thanks for listening and Merry Christmas. https://williammichael.info/aocc/

Well, here we are again. One week until Christmas, and a new entry in the now 20-plus year old tradition that is Twas. This one's not as long as some of the recent ones, so take some comfort in that you won't have to read through some 30 pages of stanzas. And thus, let's begin... Twas XXII: Not Quite A Silent Night by The Coop Twas the night after Christmas, and at the North Pole, St. Nick was done giving out the presents or coal that his elves had readied for ev'ry boy and girl who'd earned one or the other across the whole world. With that all behind him, Santa could just relax and enjoy a bit of time to read through the stacks of letters he'd gathered between Christmas Eve's night, and the first hints of Christmas morning's coming light. These letters had been placed next to treats left for him; treats that were plentiful and filled him to the brim until it felt like his gut was about to burst, along with enough milk to fully quench his thirst. As he sat before the fire, he could hear his wife come into the warm room that was completely rife with the odor of hot choc'late and burning pine. He looked over at her and asked, “Is that one mine?” “Nope,” she replied without even the slightest smile. “But, maybe I'll get you some in a little while.” “How thoughtful,” he chuckled as she came over and offered him the filled cup, which he took with his hand. “Thanks,” he said and sipped the hot liquid within it. She returned to her chair next to his, and did sit. He sat the cup down on the small table that stood between their two chairs and commented, “That tastes good.” “I know,” she said as she worked on the small blanket. “You've got what was left after I took some of it.” “You're a thief,” he grinned as he reached over and took the first letter, which he opened to take a look at what the child who wrote it had to say to him. As he read it, he said, “This first one is from Tim.” “What did Tim have to say?” Jessica asked without looking up at him. Santa said, “Something about “him wanting a Steam card.” He then looked to his wife. “Now why would this boy want a steamed card in his life?” With a small laugh, “It's not a steamed card, you goofball.” He replied with, “Then what is it, Miss know-it-all?” “A small, money-like card you spend at the Steam store,” she said as she continued her knitting some more. “Steam?” Santa said, his confusion clear on his face. “Why would someone want to buy that from anyplace?” “No,” she laughed lightly. “You buy video games there.” She looked to him and saw his very puzzled stare. This gave her a good laugh for a second or two. She composed herself with, “I don't know about you. “You know when ev'ryone is asleep or awake, yet you have no clue what Steam is, for goodness sake?” “Hey,” he retorted, “I just deliver this stuff. New trends aren't my thing, so don't give me any guff.” She laughed yet again, then returned to her knitting. He watched her for a time from where he was sitting. “What's that?” he asked. “It's for Milton and Fay,” she said. He replied, “Looks a bit small to fit on their bed.” “It's not for them, but their child,” she replied with a smile. “For when their journey as parents starts in a while.” ”Fay's pregnant?” he asked, the surprise in his voice strong. “Indeed,” Jessica said. “She's now eight month's along.” “Why'd no one told me?” he asked, clearly a bit hurt. “I didn't know they were having a little squirt.” She asked, “Didn't you notice her growing belly?” She looked to him as he stared at her flatly. “Oh yeah, that would have gone well for me,” he replied. “I couldn't have found a good enough place to hide “from her if I had so much as referenced how she'd gotten plumper. I know I'd be dead by now.” Jessica laughed a bit with, “Yeah, that's likely true. But this blanket's something that I wanted to do.” He said, “You've never knit something for the other elves when they were going to become a mother.” She replied, “Milton and Fay “have a special place in my heart these days.” As a smile came to her face, she added, “They helped us out a lot that one year.” “That they did,” Santa nodded. “That they did, my dear.” As his wife continued to work on the blanket, Santa turned and reached over so that he could get the next letter from the stacks of those he'd picked up, not seeing his wife sneak a quick sip from his cup. With a small chuckle, he said, “Listen to this one from a boy named Stan, who wanted a BB gun. “It says here, 'Dear Mr. Santa. My name is Stan and I'll try hard to keep this as short as I can. “I'm sorry that I couldn't leave anything out. I hope you're not mad at me or upset about “not getting any treats when you stopped by tonight. It wasn't because I was being mean, alright? “I have diabetes, so I can't eat the stuff that has sugar in it because it's really rough on my body if my blood sugar gets too high. So if you were wondering, that's the reason why. “I still wanted to leave a few cookies for you, but my mom said that you'd get diabetes too if I left you cookies or anything like that, since you're at risk for it too because you're so fat.” Jessica had a good laugh as Santa grumbled, “And onto the naughty list that boy just tumbled.” “Hush,” she uttered and smiled. “That's so sweet of that boy. I hope you gave little Stan a wonderful toy.” She looked over at her husband and heard the way he chuckled as he tucked Stan's short letter away. “What's so funny?” she asked. He said, “I can't tell you.” With one eye brow perked, she said, “It's best that you do.” “D-I-A-B-E-E T-E-E-S,” he said. She looked a little lost as she tilted her head. He smiled, “The way he spelled that word tickles me pink. He won't be winning any spelling bees, I think.” “Be nice,” she admonished. “Don't pick on that young boy.” “I'm not,” he chuckled. “And yes, he got a nice toy.” He picked up the next letter and unfolded it as he readjusted himself where he did sit. Santa began to read, but uttered not one word. His wife glanced over as silence was all she heard. “Ahem!” she announced. “I can't read lips, you old fart.” Santa laughed a bit with, “Now's a good time to start” “learning how to do that, so that maybe next year, you can follow along and enjoy these, my dear.” Jessica chuckled and grumbled, “Very funny. Read me the damn thing so I can hear it... honey.” “Fine fine,” he said and grinned. “Wouldn't want you to pout and complain about how I made you feel left out.” He cleared his throat twice and adjusted the paper, then let out a quick cough and looked over at her. “Ready?” he asked as she gave an exhausted frown. “Heh heh,” he grinned, then read what had been written down. “Dear Santa,” he began. “Hope you're doing OK. I bet you're real pooped after riding in your sleigh and dropping off presents to all the people who had asked for all of those toys, games and stuff from you. “But I thought it might be nice if I gave you a poem to read once you're done after Christmas day. “I tried to keep it short, but I had too much fun and I didn't wanna stop once I had begun “to get really into it. So, it's kind of long. I hope that you'll like it. Signed, Sarah Bizamong.” Jessica raised her eyebrows with, “Quite the last name.” Santa nodded and said, “I was thinking the same.” “How long is it?” she asked. “Four pages,” he replied. With some surprise, she said, “This should be a fun ride.” “To be sure,” Santa grinned as he looked over what the girl had written down. “Well, hold onto your butt. “'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Maxine was undoing the buttons of her blouse. “'She'd just gotten home after a long day at work at the bank where she'd put up with many a jerk. “'Ev'ryone was rude and in a hurry to get out of the bank so quickly, it made Maxine sweat “'as she did her best to get them all on their way, and bring an end to such a bad, annoying day. “'But now she was home and ready for a hot bath. Then a quick dinner, and a movie for a laugh.'” “Oof,” Jessica uttered. “That rhyme was a bit rough.” “And you said I was mean,” Santa laughed with a huff. “I'm not being mean,” she said. “I'm pointing it out.” He then said with sarcasm, “And kindly, no doubt.” With a quick laugh, she said, “Let's continue, shall we?” To which he replied, “If you insist. Now, let's see...” He looked over the page that he'd been reading from, and looked for where he'd stopped as he began to hum. “Ah ha!” Santa exclaimed. “Found where I had left off.” He then cleared his throat twice and let out a small cough. “'She got into the bathtub and slowly sank down into the hot water as she began to frown. ““God, what a day,” she said as she let out a sigh. Then she brought up her left hand and rubbed her left eye. “'But a few moments later, a weird sound rang out. From her butt under water, some bubbles did sprout. “They reached the surface after a moment or two. Melissa scrunched up her nose and uttered, “Oh, PEW!'” “Hold it,” Jessica spoke as she looked to St. Nick. “A fart joke in her poem? That's nasty and sick.” “I think it's funny,” Santa chuckled with a smile. “You would, “ his wife grumbled. “Childish humor's your style.” “Well, she is a child,” he said. “So she gets a pass when it comes to finding humor in passing gas.” “What's your excuse then?” she asked as she looked over. He said, “It circles back around once you're older.” She shook her head and grinned as she continued to knit the blanket and uttered, “I think that's just you.” With a mischievous grin, he turned a little bit in his seat toward her as she continued to knit. “I seem to recall,” he said, “hearing your laughter echo down the hallway not very long after “what sounded like a whale call came from the bathroom while you were in there making it... I would assume.” Jessica looked to him, saw the smirk on his face, and said, “You'll be sleeping on the couch at this pace.” A moment later, Milton came running into the room and yelped with a panicked, “Come quick you two!” Jessica looked to the elf and asked, “What's wrong, hun?” “Fay's water broke!” he said, “and her labor's begun!” Santa set down the papers with, “Their kid's early.” Jessica looked to Milton and asked, “Where is she?” “Fay's laying on our bed,” Milton quickly replied. Santa said, “Then go back there and stay at her side. “We'll join you shortly after we get what we need.” Milton nodded and ran out with copious speed. “Let's go,” Jessica said as she got to her feet and Santa groaned a bit as he stood from his seat. It took a bit of time, but the two of them got some towels and a tub filled with water that was hot. They went into the room that Milton and Fay shared. Fay was on the bed in pain, while Milton looked sacred. Fay looked over and said, “What are they doing here?” Jessica answered, “To help you give birth, my dear.” Fay stared at them both with some unease in her eyes before she said, “Um, “I don't know about this, guys.” Mrs. Claus said with a smile. “We've seen it all, dear. You shouldn't do this alone, so that's why we're here.” “Jessica will help with the birthing,” Santa said as he came over and stood right beside Fay's bed. “I'll be handing her whatever things she might need.” “We should get to a hospital,” Milton did plead. “Not many of them this far north,” Santa remarked. “Just get this thing out of me for God's sake!” Fay barked as a fresh contraction caused her body much strain, and her face reflected the wave of intense pain. “I'm here,” Milton said as he put his hand on Fay's, but she looked at him with a glare that was ablaze as she yelled, “Your here, huh?! Well, now I feel just swell! It's because of you that I'm in this living hell!” Milton's eyes went quite wide at her abrupt outburst. “Um,” he uttered, “maybe we could knock her out first?” Santa gave a laugh with, “Doesn't work that way, son. I'm afraid her kind words have only just begun.” “This is your fault!” Fay shouted. “You did this to me! I'll get you back for this you little shit! You'll see!” Milton let out a sigh and continued to hold Fay's hand as she shouted and continued to scold him while Santa and his wife got ready to lend their help to Milton's pregnant and yelling girlfriend. And so began the process of Fay giving birth. A time of pain, shouting and very little mirth. Milton's held Fay's hand as he did his best to coach her through the labor while she yelled one vile reproach after another for what seemed like forever. But he stayed calm and reassured her whenever she grew weary of pushing and looked tired as hell, that she was getting closer and was doing well. Jessica was stationed down between Fay's spread feet where she coached Fay as well, yet remained in her seat as she waited for the child to start to emerge, while telling Fay to push with each contraction surge. Santa stood opposite from Milton, ready to help with anything that his wife asked him to do. The first hour went by, which became three, and then five, as all four of them helped the baby to arrive. And arrive it did as the sixth hour had begun. That was when Jessica said, “Milton? Come here, hun.” Milton looked from Fay to Santa, who smiled and said, “I'll stay here with Fay, Milton. You go on ahead.” Milton came up beside Jessica as she told him to grab a fresh towel in which he would hold up the baby when it was coming out of Fay. Milton looked nervous, but gave a shaky, “OK.” Milton did as asked and brought a towel to her. It was then that a new contraction did occur. “Push Fay!” Jessica said, and Fay did just that as Jessica kept watch and waited where she sat. It was as Fay was pushing, that the baby crowned. “Keep pushing!” Jessica said as Fay made a sound that was like a scream and a sob mixed into one. Jessica said loudly, “Push Fay! You're almost done!” Jessica took the towel from Milton's shaky hand as the man looked wobbly. Like he could barely stand. Fay pushed again as the baby kept sliding out. With that final hard push, Fay unleashed a loud shout. And when the baby passed through Fay's vaginal door, Milton let out a moan and passed out to the floor. His head hit with a thump that made Santa wince. Santa chuckled a bit and said, “Good night, sweet prince.” While Milton was unconscious on the room's floor tiles, the cries of a newborn pulled a series of smiles to the faces of those still conscious at that time. Jessica cut the cord and cleaned off all the slime that covered the infant from almost head to toe. Then she wrapped the newborn up in the towel so it was ready to be handed over to Fay. “Give Fay her son,” she grinned. Santa smiled, “Right away.” With care, he turned and looked to Fay's exhausted face. “Want to hold your son?” he asked, his smile still in place. Fay looked to Santa with, “I most certainly would.” She took the babe from him as gently as she could. Though far beyond tired from all that she had gone through, her weary stare held untold amounts of love too as she gazed down upon the life that she'd helped make. That's when a groan rang out as Milton stirred awake. “Could you help him up?” Jessica asked her husband. “I've got a mess to clean and a hand, I can't lend.” “Of course,” Santa said and helped Milton to his feet, adding, “Get up, my boy. You've got someone to meet.” Santa walked him over to the side of Fay's bed, as Milton rubbed the welt on the back of his head. Once there, Milton saw Fay and the infant she held. A look of surprise came to him as his eyes welled up with tears and his expression soon filled with joy. He looked to Fay and asked, “Is it a girl or boy?” “A boy,” Fay replied with a warm and weary smile before she asked him, “Want to hold him for a while?” Milton simply nodded and then picked up his son with a massive smile as his tears began to run down his cheeks at last as his euphoria grew. Santa leaned in with, “Congratulations you two.” With that, Santa joined his wife to help with the mess that had been left behind after the tough success of Fay's giving birth to her and Milton's first child. Once done, Santa looked at the new parents and smiled. Jessica did as well, then nudged her husband so he'd look to her as she whispered, “Come on. Let's go.” She and Santa reached the bedroom door just as Fay called out and stopped them before they went on their way. Fay thanked them for ev'rything that the pair had done. Jessica smiled at her with, “You're quite welcome, hun.” “Get some rest,” Santa said. “You've had quite the ordeal. We'll both come by again once you're sure that you feel “up for having a visitor or two stop by. Until then...” he finished, with a small wave goodbye. With that, he and his wife gave the new mom and dad some time alone with the new child that they now had. It didn't take long before Santa returned to his chair, and Jessica was seated in her's too. He picked up a few papers and shuffled through them, searching for what he'd read before all the mayhem. When he found it, he sat there and said not one thing. But his wife soon spoke up with a loud throat clearing. “A-hem!” Jessica pressed. “Are you going to start?” Santa grinned, “Just looking for the fart bubbles part.” She rolled her eyes as she shook her head just a bit. She let out a small sigh with, “Well, get on with it.” As Santa continued the story Sarah wrote, both Milton and Fay were continuing to dote on the newborn that they had been given that night, while Milton kept making sure that Fay was alright. Fay apologized for the vile things that she'd said to Milton before he passed out and hit his head. He laughed and told her, after he gave her a kiss, that he'd expected worse while she went through sheer bliss. She laughed a bit as well, but said she was sincere. That she loved him, to which he said, “Love you too, dear.” He gave her a kiss as she held their newborn son. Their new lives as a family had now begun. And as the world settled in under the moonlight, Merry Christmas to all. And to all, a good night.

Good job everyone who got something done this year. It'll be interesting to hear what you all have come up with. About this, the server is slow, so you should probably use smaller images on the main page. We're a bit spoiled with most big sites being fast, so a lot of them don't bother will optimizing image size. But it's pretty noticeable here. I like the general vibe of the new colors, feels more wintry, though the background is a bit too bright for my liking. Overall, it's an improvement, and should indeed make updating a lot easier. I've worked with php, where you can easily update an element that shows up on multiple pages. Requires a different server setup, though. In html, this is probably the best approach, though in 17 more years the page is gonna be loooong. But by then you'll have learned javascript and can do some show/hide things. And linking to anchors/bookmarks. And more. Good job.

Those are sooooooo much better lol, quick Coop, it's not to late to rename them and reupload and pretend it never happened! But if not, I'm definitely renaming my copy of those tracks to those names. (and you cannot stop me!)

Xaleph is correct, everyone should have khs essentials, there's a lot of good stuff there. It's weird, some vst's don't automate well, even if they sound good otherwise. FL Studio's Flangus is a good example. Also, I have tried using FL's peak controller to automate the fruity balance plugin, and that works horribly...just like described in original post..nasty latency and sound. Trial and error is sometimes involved.

great work everyone! i'll be bumping this all the way up to my parents' place for christmas!

whoop whoop, another festive album! Always a joy to contribute and hear everyone else's work.