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Sol Cat w/ Kansas Bible Company “This Christmas” (2014)

Sol Cat "This Christmas"

Self Released
Buy: Stream

Nashville’s Sol Cat got together with the Kansas Bible Company, and what came of this unholy union? Why a funky cover of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” of course! Sol Cat plays danceable indie rock, and the Kansas Bible Company looks to be about 15 members… whose critical mass and horn section undoubtably took this song to the next level. So, turn your speakers up, and close your office door. We’re getting funky.

Bottom Line: Shaved a few off because there is no download – but the fighting the funk is tough. 4.6/5

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Sleep Thieves “November Christmas” (2014)

Sleep Thieves "November Christmas"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

I’m sure you’re going to see this track pop up a few more places, as it already has on Stubby’s Free List earlier this morning – so why not here too? Dublin’s Sleep Thieves have created a great, moody, synth Christmas song with their new track, “November Christmas.” The song’s verses trudge along with a deep synth bass, a flutter of melody and a beat you could set your watch to. So, when the tone lifts and the chorus swings in, it pushes you up just enough to pop your head above the water. It really is a great chorus, and worth the wait. Certainly a nice change of pace from the jingle bells that infiltrate most of the season. I would be fawning all over this track if it was just a tad bit more upbeat like their wonderful track “City of Hearts.”

Bottom Line: A dark electro Christmas song and done dark electro well. OH… and free. 3.8/5

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Charlie’s Hand Movements “Baubles” (2014)

Charlies Hand Movement " Baubles"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp | Bandcamp

Wow. What a find. Charlie’s Hand Movements are Adam Gardner and Lance M Keelbe, two gents from Benfleet, England, and they have just released their second Christmas song in as many years. Now that you are introduced, I must say, “Baubles” is really beautiful. “I was your bauble / hanging from a tree / wrap me in tinsel / make me believe.” Some nice turns of phrase, some beautiful music, and excellent vocals to round out the package to make “Baubles” quite spectacular. “If we fall, we’ll shatter / but it don’t matter at all.” I love that lyric. Each listen gets better… and it’s free! So what are you waiting for??

Bottom Line: Love it. Great song, free download. I am pleased as punch. What a day of great Christmas songs. 5/5

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(EDIT) – they took down their own page for this song, so here is an embed of the Dismas compilation that it also appeared on.

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The Magic Numbers “I Don’t Care If Its Christmas” (2014)

The Magic Numbers Christmas

Caroline
Buy: Stream (only in the UK?) | Vinyl (good luck!!)

The Magic Numbers are a bit bigger than most of the bands I feature on Christmas Underground. They are not quite as well known in the states, so I’ll use that as an excuse to post here! They just announced a new Christmas single today, and its a good one. “I Don’t Care if it’s Christmas” is a classic “Christmas is awful since you left me” scenario, but they do it wonderfully, and with a fantastic chorus. “Honey honey, are we throwing this all away,” – great stuff. The songwriting is excellent, from the lyrics to the different motions and emotions the song travels through. I knew this was coming, but much thanks to Christian for the heads up that it dropped!

They will also be selling a very limited amount of vinyl at shows this week. So check their tour dates at the link above!

Bottom Line: Excellent melancholy Christmas done by a group of consummate, professional songwriters. 4.5/5

EDIT: Whhhhy is this song impossible to buy? Why can I only find live versions on Youtube? WTF?

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If the song below doesn’t play, go to this link.

(Gone)

and a live version…

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Murder by Death – 2014 Christmas Cover Songs (2014)

Murder By Death Christmas Covers 2014

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Murder by Death just released a 2-song covers single to backers of their recent Kickstarter, and lucky for us, they are also offering up for purchase to those who had no clue such a Kickstarter existed! “Oh Holy Night” is done in such a beautiful fashion, with a cello that slips in and, if you are like me, has the ability to give you goosebumps. The other cover is “My Evergreen” by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and the song is absolutely gorgeous. It’s an extremely faithful cover; they did very little to change the approach of the original, but the sound seems more rich and full. To me, this is now the definitive version of “My Evergreen.”

Bottom Line: Absolutely stellar two-song single. 5/5

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Computer Perfection “Little Drummer Boy (Funky Drummer)” (2014)

Computer Perfection "Little Drummer Boy (Funky Drummer)"

Self Released
Buy: Free!

Those quite familiar with indiepop Christmas tunes know how wonderful those early Pas/Cal Christmas singles were. Then, when Pas/Cal was no more, Computer Perfection and Casimer & Casimir were born from the ashes. Both bands have contributed to the Christmas cannon, with Computer Perfection & Friends’ “Christmas Party” back in 2008 and last year’s Casimer & Casimir’s Soundcloud release “C&C does Margo for XXXmas.” Well, it looks like Computer Perfection are at it again, with “Little Drummer Boy (Funky Drummer).” Originally I thought it might be a James Brown song – but I think it may be their own mashup of “Little Drummer Boy” with Brown’s “Funky Drummer.” Readers of this blog may remember that “Little Drummer Boy” is my least favorite Christmas song ever, so please take the fact that I’m even mentioning this song as a reason to listen to it. Its funky & fun, with a splash of indiepop. It certainly deserves more listens than the 3 it presently has… 2 of which are mine. 

Bottom Line: No download (yet) DOWNLOAD! and this funky tune and its falsetto deserve a spot in your Christmas party playlist. 3.9/5

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ATLAAS “Feelings” (2014)

Atlaas "Feelings"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Winnipeg’s ATLAAS have created a wonderful electro-pop Christmas song with their new song, and only second release, “Feelings.” Heather Thomas’ vocals weave through bouncing beats as she laments not being with her love at Christmas. Yes, classic lonely-at-Christmas fodder, but done with a funky backing track.

Bottom Line: ATLAAS makes longing for the one you love something you can move in your seat to. 4.6/5

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The Crookes “You’re Just Like Christmas” (2014)

The Crookes "You're Just Like Christmas"

Fierce Panda | Modern Outsider Records
Buy: 7Digital (FLAC/MP3) | Amazon MP3 |Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3 | Amazon.fr MP3

The Crookes are back with another festive treat. Previously releasing an extremely limited (50 copies) 3-track Christmas single in 2009, their 5-year festive hiatus was well worth the wait. I really love the whole vibe of the song – the lyrics, the melody, hell, even the video. There is just something jovial and romantic about it. It is only being released digitally, and one would hope, via their Bandcamp at some point, fingers crossed.

Hey, quick thought, anybody have that 3-track “It’s Just Not Christmas Without You” CD? Care to share? I know where to find the title song, but beyond that… would love to hear it.

Bottom Line: Perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. 5/5

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Christmas Aguilera “Santa’s Car” (2014)

Christmas Aguilera "Santa's Car"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

It is no secret that I absolutely love Christmas Aguilera. So… I keep in touch and annoyingly e-mail them each year, wondering if they are doing a new Christmas song. Therefore, I knew a song was coming, and think it’s well worth the wait. CA always takes a different tack when it comes to writing Christmas songs, and I greatly appreciate that. A tale is spun of Santa experiencing massive budget cuts, with Christmas spirit in steep decline. Yet he persists, and there’s a sweetness to the melody that lifts it from its dreary premise towards that glimmer of hope. As always, this song benefits their local homeless charity in East London – so you have no reason not to buy this song. Well done, Christmas Aguilera.

In a somewhat related matter, you should also check out Hero and Leander. Just cuz. Not that they might be part of this mysterious Christmas Aguilera band… Did Steve tell you that? That Steve…

Bottom Line: I never know what to expect, and this more subdued tune is yet another piece in a beautiful puzzle. 4.8/5

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Red Sleeping Beauty “Merry Christmas, Marie” (2014)

Red Sleeping Beauty

Shelflife Records
Buy: 7Digital MP3 | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3 | Amazon.fr MP3

Red Sleeping Beauty returned from a long hiatus earlier this year, which was wonderful news in my world. To top it all off, for their first new song in 17 years, they recorded a new Christmas song! “Merry Christmas, Marie” sounds like classic RSB. This is high-quality indie pop, and for those who love 1990s-2000s indie pop, a gift from above.

Bottom Line: Red Sleeping Beauty has returned, doing what they do best. 4.5/5

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