Musicians tend to play better after warming up. Or, as the case may be, thawing out. "Our first practice space was in a room we couldn't afford to heat," recalls Wild Light's cofrontman Timothy Kyle, thinking back to the band's winter rehearsals in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The spirit of giving is in the air!

This week the music world caught a powerful case of Obamamania. Arcade Fire rocked a party for the President's staff, Daft Punk and Will.i.Am tipped their musical hats (or, in Daft Punk's case, robot helmets) to the Commander in Chief. Even Be Your Own Pet's Jemina Pearl and Animal Collective embraced Obama's message of change.

Americans have plenty to celebrate this week with President Barack Obama's inauguration -- especially those who volunteered to make his campaign a success.

While we here at SPIN.com were indulging in the holiday season's tasty trimmings (chocolate covered cherries, anyone?), some of rock music's biggest acts, including Coldplay, Arcade Fire, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, as well as up-and-comers like Philadelphia mixmaster Pandemonium Jones, were unveiling their holiday gifts to fans -- the gift of free new music!

A jaw-dropping collection of indie rock's finest have contributed exclusive new songs to Dark Was the Night, a 32-track album out February 17 via 4AD, which will benefit the Red Hot Organization, a charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS.