On The Gist, music writer Chris Molanphy explains what’s made Adele’s new album 25 an epic success. It is her voice or the cult of Adele? Chris writes Slate’s Why Is This Song No. 1 column. For the Spiel, a Bruce Springsteen bootleg features a very special holiday preamble.

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Make holiday shopping easier with the Slate Gift Guide, a curated collection of products selected by Slate editors and writers. These are the things that most improved our lives this year, wrapped up in one guide for you. Find something for everyone on your list at picks.slate.com. 

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