Tag: 4+

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Saint John and Farmer Jesse “Snowy Evening” (2014)

Saint John and Farmer Jesse

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Saint John and Farmer Jesse put Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” to music, and hot damn if it doesn’t work wonderfully. The whole thing is unexpected – the vocals are a touch gravely, and the music, with the programed beats and the jangling guitar, are far from what you might expect if you were to be presented with the prospect of this song. Internet, feel free to correct me, but in my basic searches (mainly Youtube), there is NOTHING coming close to a treatment like this (at least for this poem). This is just one track off their new, wonderfully-titled Christmas record, Krampus and Clover. Check it out, perhaps other tracks may tickle your fancy the way this did mine.

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed their approach, and while not an original “song,” their choices most certainly are. 4/5

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Chris Farren “I’m Not Ready For Christmas (ft. Mae Whitman)” (2014)

Chris Farren - Like A Gift From God or Whatever

Self Released / Soft Speak Records
Buy: Bandcamp | Very Limited Vinyl | Limited Vinyl Repress

Naples-based singer-songwriter Chris Farren has a very interesting Christmas record coming out tomorrow. I can’t say I knew too much about him, but certainly recognized his “The Smiths” t-shirt that made the rounds earlier this year. This ignorance left me quite surprised by this first single, “I’m Not Ready for Christmas.” I either expected a punk or comedy record, to be honest. I was most certainly wrong. What I found instead is a wonderful Christmas song, chock full of the kind of regret that the holiday season can bring. You may think that I revel in wrong stuff… but come on, its songs like this that make listening to Christmas music palatable. If all you listen to are jingle bells, you are an insane person (or will become one). That said, this song is bound to bring up some lost love in your past, be it the girl you loved in grade school or the boy you almost married. “Maybe in another life we’d be walking down that aisle, / but under white string lights you’ll go left and I’ll go right, / and wish each other another silent night.” That part comes in right after he introduces this saxophone that completely makes the song. Tasteful sax, nothing like it. Lots more to read about this record over at Vice’s Noisy blog, including a rundown of all the guests on his full length, Like A Gift From God or Whatever, and an interview where he discusses every song.

EDIT: Just announced today (October 20, 2015) – Vinyl edition with a vinyl-only bonus track!
EDIT: Just announced today (November 6, 2017) – Randomly-colored vinyl repress of 500 copies!

Bottom Line: I loved this slice of melancholy, and the beautiful music only made it sweeter to hear. I only wish I could hear more (it comes out tomorrow!) 4.9/5

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Los Campesinos! – A Los Campesinos! Christmas EP (2014)

Los Campesinos! Christmas

Caroline
Buy: 7Digital MP3 (US) | Amazon UK

Los Campesinos! have established themselves as one of the most reliable purveyors of fine indie Christmas tunes. With songs such as “Kindle a Flame In Her Heart,” “A Doe to A Deer,” and the beautiful cover of the traditional song “The Holly and the Ivy,” every song they had done was so good that had these been the only songs Christmas songs they ever released, I would feel fortunate. Released as mp3s (I thought there was a Heat Rash release, but I can’t find it) in the past few years, each Los Campesinos! release has been both surprising and spectacular. Thus, when I saw on Stubby’s site that Los Campesinos! was going to release an entire Christmas EP, I was over the moon. Expectations were high… and they were met. The new track, “When Christmas Comes” is just as interesting as their previous originals, and unlike anything else that has been released this year. The other new original “The Trains Don’t Run (It’s Christmas Day)” has a slower pace and a more dour vibe. It may be a downer, but a satisfying one. Finally, the cover of Mud’s “Lonely This Christmas,” is by far the weakest on the record. Los Campesinos! originals are so much better that the contrast becomes quite stark – why even bother with a (modern) cover when your songs are so much better?

I do hope for a volume 2 somewhere down the line. Los Campesinos! rule!

Bottom Line: At times glorious, at the very least extremely listenable all the way through. Extra points for the vinyl, as well as the cheap price! 5/5

 

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Carousel “Christmas Time With You” (2012)

Carousel

Self-Released
Buy: Stream

It was December 24th, 2012, and San Francisco’s Carousel released an indiepop gem of a Christmas tune on their Facebook/Soundcloud. So, it probably never made a mix that year. That’s a tough time to have a song drop, and it may have even gotten a little lost in the shuffle for 2013. In a cursory search on Google, I don’t believe it popped up on any of my Christmas-bloggin friends last year, though I did not look terribly hard (sorry if I missed you). Therefore, I bring this to the masses for mix-consideration in 2014. Electro indie pop at its finest, I do enjoy this little song. Classic Christmas subject matter (all I want is you) with a great beat.

Bottom Line: While their official feed has taken down the link, you can listen to it below and those who are motivated enough, will certainly know how to grab it. 4.4/5

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Ryan Lindsey (Broncho) “The Naughty List” (2014)

The Naughty List

Blackwatch Studios
Buy: Free!

Yes, Blackwatch Studios and Fowler VW are coming back again this year with another local, Oklahoma Christmas compilation! The first track has surfaced on NewsOK, and its smoooooooth. Ryan Lindsey of the excellent indie rock band Broncho, leads it off with “The Naughty List.” Its an 80s jam with a sleazy side, and I’m sure it’ll add that little bit of sexy hilarity to your mix. “You look into the mirror in panties with the whiskey / you might as well engrave your name into the hall-of-fame / of the naughty list.”

The whole thing will be up soon (Dec. 12), and if you live locally, they will be giving away free VINYL copies around town, and also plan to have a free Christmas party! Know anybody in Norman who can get me a copy? DETAILS HERE

Bottom Line: Fun fun fun. 4/5

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Nick D’ and the Believers “Christmas in the City” (2014)

Nick D' and the Believers

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Damn! It is ramping up huh?? Columbus, Ohio’s Nick D’ & the Believers soulful “Christmas in the City” is a really solid Christmas tune. I really enjoy the harmonies, and find the lyrics simple and honest (always a plus). I don’t know how much more I need to say… its got a great vibe. Listen.

Bottom Line: Great song – Keep ’em coming. 4.5/5.

LISTEN

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Jolene Films presents A Wonderful Christmas Time (2014)

A Wonderful Christmas Time

Tiny Teeth Records
Buy: Free!

This is a two track free download of tunes from A Wonderful Christmas Time, an improvised (yes… improvised!) film coming out in the UK soon (Already On Demand, in theaters Dec. 12). The two tracks they’ve put on Soundcloud are pretty great. The Lovely Wars‘ “The First Noel” is a great, modern take on a song that is usually pretty straightforward; their vocal choices really set this version apart. Jon Windle‘s title track, “A Wonderful Christmas Time,” is a lot of fun. Upbeat, cooky, and everything you’d want from a powerpop Christmas tune. To top it off… the artwork for this digital single was done by Rob Taylor from Los Campesinos!

Bottom Line: Two great tracks for zero money? YES! 4.8/5

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCggNo-xQDI]
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matt pond PA “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” (2014)

matt pond PA - Give Me Love

Self-Released
Buy: Free!

I just got an email from matt pond PA, a band that I have followed for well over a decade. I remember being madly in love with The Green Fury in college, and it still holds up. Well, mpPA is holding a holiday contest of sorts, where they are requesting you to comment on Facebook with the next song they should cover. You simply post the suggestion, and tell them why. The post with the most likes by 12/12 will be the winner. They have started off the festivities by offering up a free, Christmasy download of George Harrison’s “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth).” All that is required is your e-mail address. Of note… unless I’ve missed something, I don’t believe I’ve ever noticed a synth in mpPA before. Interesting…

Bottom Line: Great song, done well. I’d say it has a good shot ending up on some of your mixes for sure! 4/4

LISTEN:

Download here!

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Glow Kit “Christmas Daze” (2012)

Glow Kit - Christmas Daze

Self-Released / Mastermind Records
Buy: Bandcamp

Well hot damn. After reading about this track on Snowflakes’ blog, I knew I had to (legally) have it. Hailing from Aarhus, Denmark, Glow Kit recorded “Christmas Daze” back in 2012 and released it on Youtube, followed by a very limited (24 copies) lathé cut 7″ by Danish label Mastermind Records. Supposedly it was a free download on Soundcloud, but I could never get it to work. HOWEVER, after contacting the band, they have been kind enough to finally set up their Bandcamp page! So, now you can legally download a MP3 (or FLAC!) of this fantastic indie rock Christmas song. Please keep in mind, while they are offering it as a free download, they would greatly appreciate a donation. All the money made off this song will help with the ongoing recording of their new album. Musicians need money to make records, and if we want to continue to get fantastic music, we’ve got to support them.

Bottom Line: Really, I love this song. You should love it too. 5/5

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The Smoking Trees – Round Christmas Time (2014)

Smoking Trees - Round Christmas Time

Ample Play Records
Buy: 7Digital MP3/FLAC | Amazon UK MP3

For those looking for psych Christmas goodies, Cornershop’s Ample Play Records has a 2-song single for us. Given the challenge of following Ample Play’s excellent Festive Compilation EP last Christmas, this single by The Smoking Trees has lived up to expectations. Premiering tonight on Louder than War, the title track, “Round Christmas Time,” echoes “Why do you always love me more ’round Christmas time,” the kind of melancholy that any reader of the blog knows I dig. Throw an organ on there, and I’m in. The b-side, “Let the Psychedelic Lights of Christmas Shine” was previously released on the excellent aforementioned Festive Christmas EP, and will certainly scratch that psychedelic Christmas itch if you’ve got one. I would love to hear The Smoking Trees pick up the pace on one of these songs, just for fun. Throw a live version at us!

Bottom Line: Excellent psychedelic Christmas tunes continue Ample Play’s history of fine Christmas releases. 4.3/5

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