xmasunderground

October 17, 2023

Collars “Christmas In The 90s” (2022)

Laundry Rooms Records
Buy: Bandcamp

I have this feeling that someone sent me this song last year… and I just can’t remember who. It was on my Soundcloud list last year, and somehow I didn’t write about it, and I have no clue why. My best guess is that I added it without really listening to it, which in the heat of the season… well… it happens. A well-meaning, “save something to listen to later,” kind of gesture. Well, if you tipped me off on this, and I have plum forgot, I apologize.

NOW, how about this very British bop about “Christmas in the 90s!” (Look at me using bop…) Hidden towards the end of a proper, non-Christmas record, 2022’s Clyde, Collars are really channeling the Britpop wars (well, the war between the Gallagher brothers), the Hacienda, raves, and gentrification. Wrap that up with a catchy-as-hell beat and that wonderful layered ending… this one is bound to be a popular mix-addition.

Bottom Line: This song is a ton of fun. Pair it with The Futureheads’ “Christmas in the 80’s” to begin a tracklist of decade-specific holiday fare!

LISTEN

October 16, 2023December 6, 2023

UPCOMING: Jangle Bells – A Rough Trade Shops Christmas Selection (12/08/2023)

Rough Trade Shops
Buy: Rough Trade (UK only so far)

Rough Trade Shops has a little Christmas gift lined up for their (so far) UK devotees… as they are releasing one of the strongest Christmas complications of the past few years. Compiling a number of top tracks from the recent past with a few exclusives, Rough Trade are flexing their taste muscles with this lineup. I’m most intrigued by the exclusives, obviously, and am paying particular attention to that Marika Hackman song, “Driving Under Stars,” as it sounds like a stripped-back version of one of my favorite holiday songs of the past ten years. The Peaness track, “Kiss Me Sweet Pea,” (edit – added below) could also be pretty amazing, as I really love this incredibly catchy band. There also appears to be a new Ellie Bleach track (edit – posted below!), which is encouraging… as I still may write about her previous song from a few years back (edit – she deleted it!) … Most certainly a worthy addition to your Christmas music collection, should you be the collector-type.

Tracklist (* denotes that I believe them to be exclusive to this release)

Marika Hackman – Driving Under Stars (Piano)*
Pale Waves – Last Christmas
Allo Darlin’ – Will You Please Spend New Years With Me?
Julia Jacklin – Baby Jesus Is Nobody’s Baby Now
The School – Shouldn’t Be Alone For Christmas
The Big Moon – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Los Bitchos – Los Chrismos
Linda Lindas – Groovy Xmas
Black Midi – Jingle Bell Rock
Chubby and the Gang – Violent Night (A Christmas Tale)
Peaness – Kiss Me Sweet Pea*
Bubble and Squeak – The Christmas Stick
Ellie Bleach – Merry Christmas, Do You Ever Think Of Me?*
Sinkane – Christmas Wrapping
CD Only
Dream Nails – Lonely Star (Christmas Song)
Willie J Healey – Merry Christmas
Girl Ray – I Wish I Were Giving You a Gift
Stars – Christmas Anyway
Alex Lahey – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)

Bottom Line: A good number of these tracks have been celebrated here before, so yeah, this looks good. Check it out, maybe buy the limited vinyl or the expanded CD… or cherrypick some songs below (where applicable) and give your money directly to the bands!

LISTEN

October 13, 2023

Hotel Lux “The Carvery” (2022)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Portsmouth, England’s Hotel Lux dropped a nice jangly sing-along Christmas cracker last year, and like many things in life… I missed it. The song is very English, with some references to Nigella (which I assume to be English chef and writer Nigella Lawson) that may be lost on us stateside, and a sing-along chorus purpose-built for shouting out down at the pub. Hotel Lux’s lead singer, Lewis Duffin, excels in the milieu of talk-singing post-punk (e.g. Art Brut), and this song does perhaps highlight that he’s not going on The Voice anytime soon. But fuck, neither am I. The character of his voice is what matters, and the creaks in those boards aren’t a bug, but a feature, as I detest perfection. The song came together quickly with what I have gleaned was some gratis studio time for a charitable purpose (Shelter, a UK homelessness charity), and you can actually see the process in one of the videos posted below. It is rather fun to watch the song come together. Hopefully, they’ll grab some more time to record another this year, as this is actually their second Christmas single, following 2019’s “Stop the Calvary.” Lean into this guys, I’m here for it.

Bottom Line: A solid pub singalong that gets better with subsequent listens.

LISTEN

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023

MJ Lenderman “Rudolph” (2023)

I know I’ve recently made the wild statement that all the best Christmas songs get released in March… but MJ Lenderman‘s leadoff single, “Rudolph,” lands this argument firmly in July. The guitarist for Wednesday, and a notable solo artist in his own right, Lenderman’s 90’s indie rock riffs and penchant for unexpected lyrics have me imagining Pavement, Modest Mouse & Kurt Vile attempting a Christmas-adjacent song. I say adjacent, as the only real connection here is the connection to Rudolph that kicks off the song:

Rudolph waking up in the road
Dew dripping off his red nose
Blue and black tire track torn
Through a beautiful doe

There is a lot to like here, and it all depends on how deep a connection to Christmas your seasonal jams have to be. This song is enough for me to need to buy his other records though… because I just really love this sound.

Bottom Line: What are your Christmas mix rules? Because this rulez! HA!

LISTEN

September 15, 2023

Bag of Cans “Sorry Mum that I Was Hungover This Christmas” (2023)

Just so we are clear, everyone knows that the best Christmas songs come out in March. Right?

Norwich-based Bag of Cans blend of humor and Wave Pictures-esque laid-back instrumentation scratch a rather significant itch that is always so damn itchy. I believe there is a cream for this, but then I wouldn’t be enjoying this song so damn much. Christmas A Gogo has been jamming on it for a bit as well, deeming the song good enough to emerge for a mid-summer post (a rare feat for my seasonally-inclined friend). You really have to sample this track yourself… as it is certainly a contender for mixes this year…

Bottom Line: If a Christmas song makes me RIYL Wave Pictures, be rest assured you are on the right side of history. God Save Bag of Cans!

LISTEN

September 12, 2023September 12, 2023

Hot Dad “A Christmas Shortcut” (2018)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

I don’t normally do funny Christmas songs; I file them away with songs that have a children’s choir under “not quite what I am looking for,” then go about my business as one of American’s preeminent dumb people who have a blog. Austin, Texas’ Hot Dad has somehow snuck around the digital circular file, tricking me into loving his wonderful brand of emotional comedy synth pop by being just too great to dismiss. “A Christmas Shortcut” is a song about the unbearable wait to open your presents, a feeling that many of us have certainly experienced in our youth. It captures those big, somewhat irrational feelings with clever lyrics and a driving synth-pop sound. While it took me a few listens to love it, once I found my way into Hot Dad’s world, I decided I enjoyed the weather a whole lot. Perhaps you will too.

Bottom Line: The lead track to last year’s mix, this song (as well as his other Xmas offerings) offers some levity without being silly.

LISTEN

September 11, 2023

UPCOMING: Dragon Inn 3 – It’s Christmas (10/10/2023)

American Laundromat
Buy: Bandcamp (Vinyl/Digital)

I am not usually excited by a Christmas release that is only covers, but Kansas City’s Dragon Inn 3 (featuring members of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and friends) has shaken this resolve. I’m a fan of their 80’s synth pop vibes, as well as their choice of songs (well… 2 of 3 ain’t bad!). I’m lowering my expectations for the “Last Christmas” cover, but the other two are far more obscure targets. You may remember the Coconut Records track, “It’s Christmas” from the wonderful 2010 Target (yes… that Target) compilation, The Christmas Gig. Solid song for sure… and certainly reason enough for me to preorder the 7″. They must be big Jason Schwartzman (Coconut Records/many Wes Anderson movies) fans because they also sneak on a cover of the tremendously short Mark Mothersbaugh piece from the Rushmore soundtrack, “Snowflake Music.” I relate to the desire to fit as much music on a disc as possible… and they no doubt had a bit more space! Should be a fun one… and since you are not a dummy like me and preordered it months ago, you now have the opportunity to grab a signed 7″ for only $2 more at their Bandcamp.

Bottom Line: I haven’t heard it, but their last record sounds great!

LISTEN

September 8, 2023October 16, 2023

UPCOMING: Lenny Kaye, Cedar Sparks – Holiday Split 7″ (11/24/2023)

La Societe Expeditio
Buy: Rough Trade

This upcoming release looks quite interesting and has the pedigree to be fantastic. Lenny Kaye, guitarist, founding member of the Patti Smith Group, and curator of the touchstone Nuggets compilation series, contributes a new song, “Santa’s Knee,” as well as scribbles his name on the cover of this Rough Trade-exclusive 7″ release. The B-side is the only known quantity from this slab of wax, as Lenny Shares the flip with Cedar Sparks, comprised of Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) and Lou Rogai (Lewis and Clarke), as they share their 2018 folk-Christmas track, “Gathering Song.” Inspired by seasonal depression and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Gathering Song” is infused with beautiful, melancholy violin melodies and some wonderful sing-along lyrics. I can only vouch for 50% of this release, but so far so good.

EDIT: This is also an RSD Black Friday release. So… there are a few more than the 150 Rough Trade has. Whew!

Bottom Line: This looks like a very solid Christmas 7″ for the fan and the collector – Rough Trade is the exclusive retailer of 150 green vinyl signed copies. Grab them fast!

LISTEN

EDIT: Well… it appears that I may have hipped Cedar Sparks to the fact that their song was still available (for free) on Bandcamp. (And now it is gone)

June 7, 2023

The Greeting Committee “Frosty the Snowman” (2020)

Self Released
Buy: Stream

It takes extra effort to press play on a cover of a song you’ve heard a million times. The fear and dread that fill this tiny part of my brain that writes this blog kicks into gear… and it does take a good bit of effort to clear that hurdle. Somehow, Kansas City’s The Greeting Committee have snuck something over with their cover of “Frosty the Snowman.” The beautifully understated arrangement compliments Addie Sartino’s delicate vocal delivery, providing an impressive, emotional feel to what I would normally consider a very lightweight song. Their beautiful video, compiled of Christmas home movies, adds additional oxygen to this warm fire, one which I’m happy to stumble upon.

Bottom Line: If The Greeting Committee would care to take another stab at a classic, or better yet, an original, I’m all ears.

LISTEN

December 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Health & Wellbeing – Christmas Demos (2022)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

Who is this mysterious Health & Wellbeing? I can’t find anything on them! Too bad, because I’m jamming to these Christmas Demos and they are quite good. Power/dream/brit pop original Christmas songs. I’m absolutely positive that they are going to be somebody’s favorite from this holiday season. There’s even a little nod to The Rolling Stones in “Take it Easy this Christmas,” and it totally works. These were all recorded in the past 3 weeks, and if these are the demos… look the fuck out for the full versions, because these sound great already.

Bottom Line: Well that was a short, rather shitty review for what are 4 pretty great songs? Well… yeah. But now you know about them at least, even if we know nothing about the band!