4+ – Page 41 – Christmas Underground

December 18, 2014December 18, 2014

Delicious Clam Records presents Delicious Christmas (2014)

Delicious Clam Records
Buy: Bandcamp

Delicious Clam Records‘ first release is Delicious Christmas, a 6-track (largely) Christmas compilation benefitting the Sheffield homeless teenager charity Roundabout.

Best Friends totally knocked it out of the park last year with their original, “When Christmas Comes.” Hopefully starting a tradition that will continue for many more years, they offer yet another Christmas song, a cover of Macca’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Yes, I know. Truly awful song. So, what does one do with a turd, but dress it up in new clothes and make you believe that its a Baby Ruth. Best Friends have succeeded in convincing me that I just stepped in chocolate – I dig it. They have an attitude that exudes from their music that I enjoy enough for me to probably like a version of Little Drummer Boy, should they attempt that awful song.

Pjaro’s cover of East 17’s “Stay Another Day” isn’t really a Christmas cover… it’s a Christmas #1 cover. So… I’m not really going to talk about it.

Radical Boy‘s cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone” mixes it up enough with a punk rock edge. To start, I do dig this song – and they do make it their own. I would have done without the hardcore cookie monster growl at the end… for me, it makes the song funny, and I suppose I wasn’t looking for funny.

Pet Rock‘s cover of “Walking in the Air” from The Snowman is one of the more rocking versions I’ve heard. I wasn’t expecting to hear any crunchy guitars on this track, and there they were. Certainly the only version of “Walking in the Air” that you might want to put on a more rocking-out Christmas mix.

“Have a Very Misfits Christmas” is a deceptive title for a cover of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Its a solid, punk rock version of the oft-covered classic. The only thing holding it down is the fact that so many people cover this song.

Avida Dollars‘ “I Am The Christmas Ghost” is the only original on this release, and it is quite an interesting tune. What other Christmas song do you know that has “hide all your nazi gold” in the lyrics. It starts slow, then turns into an old school Oi! punk/hardcore song. I wish I could make out more of the lyrics, because what I can make out has me intruiged.

Bottom Line: For a punk rock Christmas release, pretty damn strong. It’s only £2 and benefits homeless kids – I’d say that’s a bargain. 4.2/5

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December 17, 2014September 12, 2019

Small Reactions “Santa Claus” (2014)

Small Reactions "Happy Christmas to Y'all"

Deer Bear Wolf Records
Buy: Cassette | Bandcamp

Small Reactions are a garage/indie rock band from Athens, Georgia, who happen to also share members with the excellent Slumberland band Gold-Bears. In November 2013, they recorded a 5-track cassette in the band’s basement, which the version of The Sonics “Santa Claus” comes from. The reverb-drenched vocals huddle next to the rocking organ in this faithful, fun & dirty cover. I can’t wait to hear what the other tracks sound like.

Merry Christmas to Y’all tracklist:

1. “Santa Claus” (the Sonics)
2. “Run Rudolph, Run” (Chuck Berry)
3. “Christmas Spirit” (the Wailers)
4. “Don’t Believe In Christmas” (the Sonics)
5. “Dancin’ With Santa” (the Trashmen)

These Merry Chistmas to Y’all cassettes have begun popping up in various places in the Atlanta area, gift wrapped and gratis. However, for those of us who cannot travel a couple hundred miles to hunt one out can pick one up on their Bandcamp page. Hot tip, (likely for a limited time) if you purchase a CD/LP, you get the cassette for free!

Bottom Line: Excellent version of an excellent song. Can’t wait to hear the rest. 4.6/5

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December 16, 2014

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

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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December 15, 2014November 19, 2017

Charlie’s Hand Movements “Baubles” (2014)

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.

December 15, 2014October 9, 2024

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

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?

LISTEN

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

(Gone)

and a live version…

December 15, 2014November 19, 2017

Murder by Death – 2014 Christmas Cover Songs (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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December 13, 2014December 13, 2014

ATLAAS “Feelings” (2014)

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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December 13, 2014October 9, 2024

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

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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December 12, 2014

Christmas Aguilera “Santa’s Car” (2014)

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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December 11, 2014October 9, 2024

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

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