The best way to retain readership is to post sporadically and with little fanfare, right?
Anyway, Christmas has thrust itself upon us. Instead of whining about over-commercialism and the pressure to get the perfect gift, I'm just going to share these tunes. CHRISTMAS tunes! Ones that aren't awful! Maybe between now and the 25th I'll share some more, but I'll wait until they pry my trampled body off a Wal-Mart floor before I make any promises.
Viva Voce - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Ridiculous and guitar-heavy, the chunky riffs and squeely feedback play against the jingly bells and Anita Robinson's heavenly vocals. It works (for me, anyway) and this traditional ballad is turned into a two-minute rock nugget. Find it on Tooth & Nail's Happy Christmas Vol. 2, released in 1999.
Suffering & the Hideous Thieves - Silent Night
This version is hypnotic and looong (how many verses are there to this song?). But, like most Hideous Thieves songs, you the listener are taken on a journey and, if you were paying attention, you'll emerge from the fade-out a slightly different person. This appears on Lujo Records' very excellent 2004 All I Want For Christmas compilation.
Starflyer 59 - A Holiday Song (Happy Holidays)
It's interesting when a band releases a Christmas song in the middle of a non-Christmas album (1998's The Fashion Focus, released in early October, no less). This one certainly sticks out, but it's so good it doesn't even matter. Hearkening back to Christmas pop of the 1960s, the tempo is upbeat while the lyrics are about sad goodbyes. It's vintage without being old and familiar without being a complete rip off.
Grandaddy - Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland
"In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend he is Alan Parsons..."
This song was released as a non-album promo single back in 2000, but I seem to recall hearing it before then for some reason. The easiest way to attain this song on a compact disc is to acquire the It's a Cool, Cool Christmas compilation, and the best way to appreciate this song to its fullest extent is to listen to an Alan Parsons Greatest Hits cassette.
Rosie Thomas - Christmas Don't Be Late
A new Rosie Thomas album! And it's full of Christmas songs! You can listen to all of the other tracks from A Very Rosie Christmas over at Virb.com, but this one here might be my favorite. Somehow she takes this giddy chipmunk song and turns it into a bittersweet Christmas epic.
Anyway, Christmas has thrust itself upon us. Instead of whining about over-commercialism and the pressure to get the perfect gift, I'm just going to share these tunes. CHRISTMAS tunes! Ones that aren't awful! Maybe between now and the 25th I'll share some more, but I'll wait until they pry my trampled body off a Wal-Mart floor before I make any promises.
Viva Voce - God Rest Ye Merry GentlemenRidiculous and guitar-heavy, the chunky riffs and squeely feedback play against the jingly bells and Anita Robinson's heavenly vocals. It works (for me, anyway) and this traditional ballad is turned into a two-minute rock nugget. Find it on Tooth & Nail's Happy Christmas Vol. 2, released in 1999.
Suffering & the Hideous Thieves - Silent NightThis version is hypnotic and looong (how many verses are there to this song?). But, like most Hideous Thieves songs, you the listener are taken on a journey and, if you were paying attention, you'll emerge from the fade-out a slightly different person. This appears on Lujo Records' very excellent 2004 All I Want For Christmas compilation.
Starflyer 59 - A Holiday Song (Happy Holidays)It's interesting when a band releases a Christmas song in the middle of a non-Christmas album (1998's The Fashion Focus, released in early October, no less). This one certainly sticks out, but it's so good it doesn't even matter. Hearkening back to Christmas pop of the 1960s, the tempo is upbeat while the lyrics are about sad goodbyes. It's vintage without being old and familiar without being a complete rip off.
Grandaddy - Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland"In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend he is Alan Parsons..."
This song was released as a non-album promo single back in 2000, but I seem to recall hearing it before then for some reason. The easiest way to attain this song on a compact disc is to acquire the It's a Cool, Cool Christmas compilation, and the best way to appreciate this song to its fullest extent is to listen to an Alan Parsons Greatest Hits cassette.
Rosie Thomas - Christmas Don't Be LateA new Rosie Thomas album! And it's full of Christmas songs! You can listen to all of the other tracks from A Very Rosie Christmas over at Virb.com, but this one here might be my favorite. Somehow she takes this giddy chipmunk song and turns it into a bittersweet Christmas epic.
