Have you ever just sat there, watching the Bandcamp “Selling Right Now” feed? It is somewhat mesmerizing. Well, I did that, and I clicked on a few things that looked like Christmas records, and I ended up here, with Ena Kinderlieder’s Weihnachtslieder.
My current predicament is such: Earlier this season, I made a statement about how little I feature German-language Christmas music, and may have said it didn’t share the same musical qualities as say, French Christmas music does. I was called out by various festive friends and bloggers, and in retrospect, I was quite wrong. Indeed, German-speaking Christmas music has equal access to my love; I was just not thinking at the time.
What I was not imagining was that I would find a German-language Christmas EP that was made specifically for children… and that I would find it just plain wonderful. Ena Kinderlieder (aka Ena Children’s Songs) is a “singer, songwriter, and big sister,” and she began putting out music with a song for her little brother, and has followed with a series of songs throughout this past year, culminating with this holiday EP, Weihnachtslieder. Ena’s voice, along with her simple yet beautiful orchestration, is simply gorgeous. This is not what I expect from children’s music – I expect big, expressive voices, choruses that will rot your teeth and drive you mad. This is far from that… this is just really lovely.
Of note, the Bandcamp version has 8 songs, while the Spotify version is split up between a few releases.
Bottom Line: This is as lovely and listenable as children’s music will ever be. I can’t believe I’m writing about a children’s record… but I couldn’t let it pass. Give it a listen.
You may be familiar with the excellent Canadian indie rock band Hey Rosetta!, which unfortunately disbanded in 2017. Readers of this site may be most familiar with their holiday EP, A Cup of Kindness Yet. Though… I would have thought I would have written about that record at some point, but I haven’t. So, I suppose this might be new to you as well. Check it out below if you haven’t heard it before, it is quite good.
(If you haven’t noticed, my posts are more like a conversation than a good piece of writing, and I hope you don’t mind.)
I didn’t come here to talk about the Hey Rosetta EP, I actually popped onto the site to talk about the lead singer Tim Baker’s latest LP, Full Rainbow of Light, which was initially released in 2024. The record is filled with beautiful Christmas, New Year’s, and wintery-themed songs. Yes, this is one of those special records we all hope for, one containing nearly all originals. In his initial release, there are only two covers, one traditional and the other, the contemporary classic “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” Tim expanded the record for 2025 with Full Rainbow of Light Deluxe Edition, which features 3 additional songs, including a cover of Jackson Browne’s wonderful “The Rebel Jesus.” This whole record is pretty damn beautiful, and I’m sure a bunch of you will love it.
Bottom Line: Someone in our little Christmas community with a bit more energy and eloquence really needs to take a stab at a review. I know Stubby found it last year on the forum, but that’s the only mention I’ve caught yet…
It’s been a while since I’ve had a track sung in Norwegian on my mix, but this wonderful song by the Oslo duo Wold Wiggen may very well sneak its way on there. “Gaver er det meste med jula synes jeg,” or “Gifts are the most important thing about Christmas, I think,” tells the story of someone stealing all the presents from under the tree and hiding them away. It begins nicely enough—full stomachs, everyone cozy and warm while it snows outside. But Uncle Erling is a bit drunk, and something snaps. If the gifts are the best part of Christmas… well, let’s open them and take them all.
The orchestration is simple, driven largely by gentle guitar and bass, which—at least for a non-Norwegian speaker like myself—was the hook that initially reeled me in. There’s no chorus, just a beautiful brass melody line in its place. I’m a bit dense sometimes when it comes to identifying instruments—French horn? Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous, and it’s the flavor that makes this song so delicious.
Bottom Line: Norway is running up the score today. 2-for-2 with mixworthy songs. Amazing.
I’m busy sitting here, waiting to eat. I mean, real busy, just sitting here. I don’t know how I am going to get through all this sitting. So, I’m taking a quick moment, because that is all I can spare from this sitting here, to make mention of this new single by Melbourne’s Grace Cummings, “Times Like These.” The song sure sounds sad, yet if Grace is meant to be believed, it is one meant to bring comfort… but boy, this song sounds sad. Grace told Rolling Stone Australia:
Times Like These’ is for somebody that needs some comfort and some love. The holidays boast joy and happiness and celebration and togetherness but it’s one of the most lonely times I can think of. My friendship with Jim James has helped me to see some beautiful things in the world, and to be grateful for what I have.
Grace’s voice sounds pretty damn incredible, and the harmony that My Morning Jacket’s Jim James brings to the song feels like a damn perfect match. As for the comfort this song is meant to bring… it will probably be a bit of a Rorschach test for how you’re really doing at the time you listen to it.
Bottom Line: Is this a dirge or a comfy blanket? We’ll see…
Wakefield, England’s Skinny Living are doing something here that many bands have done before: taking one of their own songs, “Smoke,” tweaking it, and turning it into a Christmas track — much like Wheatus did with “Christmas Dirtbag” back in 2023. However, Skinny Living has the benefit of not having absolutely everyone know the original song by heart before hearing the new version… so this one hits differently.
Everything shifts beautifully into feeling like “Smoke” is a Christmas song — the gratefulness, the love, the fighting, the dancing — all packed into “tonight,” which can easily be assumed to be Christmas Eve. And, if you want to get real technical, they haven’t even released the original “Smoke” as a studio single; it only exists as a live cut.
So I hereby plant the Christmas flag in this song. “Smoke” is now a Christmas song, Skinny Living. No backsies.
Bottom Line: Is this a reworked song? Or was it allllways a Christmas song? Always!
I remember listening to Todd Snider back in high school, hearing “My Generation (Part 2)” and loving his thoughtful, clever, funny songwriting. I believe my art teacher Kate hipped me to him. That was probably most folks’ introduction to Todd — the song, not my teacher Kate, of course! It is an incredibly clever, catchy song. I dipped in and out of his career over the years, owned a few records, and always truly enjoyed his work.
Over the weekend, I saw that Todd had passed. Lord, he was only 59. An undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia was what took him. I hadn’t realized how deadly pneumonia can be — a 30-day mortality rate of 15%, which is wild. Of course… it got me thinking: with Todd’s huge catalog, there has to be a Christmas song. Turns out the only real Christmas track (beyond the odd live cover) that Todd had a hand in was Billy Joe Shaver’s “Merry Christmas to You,” which he performed on (and perhaps helped write?). It was a bonus track on Shaver’s 2002 album Freedom’s Child, and isn’t easily available to buy as a download.
However, Todd does have a spectacular talking-blues tune called “Happy New Year.” Classic Todd Snider — a perfect piece of storytelling with clever lyrics, social commentary, and a big old dose of humanity. There are two versions: the initial release from 2006’s The Devil You Know and the “Purple Version,” a re-recorded version Todd generously offered as a free download on his website. It’s a spooky listen, folks — the song has a good dose of mortality, and now it hits perhaps a bit too close to home.
Now Christians don’t walk out on me just yet You know whose name I’m yelling as I’m clutching my chest The one my dad told me to and his told him to And I probably pray as much or more than you do Believe? shit, every word I sing
That bit is something for sure, but there’s also a moment in the spoken introduction to the Purple Version where he says, “and then there was that late day in November when it all ended.” Spooky.
The song also ends differently:
Father forgive us for what we might do You forgive us and we’ll forgive you. And we’ll forgive each other ’til we both turn blue. And we’ll whistle and go fishing… in heaven.
I’m a bit speechless.
Bottom line: Todd Snider was a treasure. The world is a bit less bright.
EDIT: I received a note from a reader (hi Stu!), and he has provided me with an MP3 of Todd Snider performing an alternate version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” than I am accustomed to. So there is an official release of a Todd Snider performing a Christmas song.
OK. So we know where it is from now. The song is on a 1995 release called The Sounds Of Starry Nights, a CD/cassette, “presented by MIFA and Union Planters as a musical reflection of the season at the holiday light show Starry Nights.” Starry Nights is a Christmas light show held at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis and is the largest annual fundraiser for Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline. Shelby Farms is one of the largest urban parks in the country – one might call it Memphis’ Central Park or Golden Gate Park, I’d imagine. Pretty damn cool….
Now, if you head out there looking for this release, pay special attention to the track list on the back. There are multiple issues of this Starry Nights release, each from a different year, and with no noticeable change of title. However, the cover art varies slightly, which helps. I have yet to see a cassette edition with Todd’s track on it, though I assume it does exist.
I know I write about a lot of grubby little songs. I love grubby little songs. I love weirdo Christmas—it nearly became the title of this entire site. However, every so often you come across a Christmas record that’s just good. I’m talking about the kind of record you might put on while opening presents with Grandma and Grandpa.
Alela Diane & The Hackles’ It’s Always Christmas Somewhere is exactly that kind of record. The album is filled with expected classics (“Christmas Time Is Here,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” etc.), some lesser-known covers (“One Little Christmas Tree,” “Pretty Snowflakes”), and a solid original (“The Santa’s Gospel”).
However, I’m here specifically to talk about her cover of Joni Mitchell’s classic “River.” If there’s a standout on an already lovely record, this is most certainly it. The gorgeous woodwind lines, the contemplative guitar, the delicate harmonium—each contributes small melodic variations that sneak up and make you smile. Perhaps my favorite cover of this song ever—it might be yours too.
Bottom Line: What a lovely Christmas record. Recommended for the alternativo folks, as well as for those who just love classic, non-cheesy Christmas records.
Who is ready for some more “Last Christmas?” My son would say no. Oddly… I would give a hesitant “sure,” as this year has been especially good. That said – I put this out into the world – BANDS! Pick a new song! Speaking of new songs to cover… The new Christmas comp from Los Angeles’ Hit the North Records has everything you want. Songs not often covered? We got em! More “Last Christmas?” YES! It has three versions! That said, I’d say three solid, distinctly different versions starting off with a fuzzed-out stroll by Steel Wool, followed by the warm pop approach of Jacob and the Moon, and finally the amped up chiptune-meets-punk of Kurupi. These versions live in separate worlds… but having 3 versions of the same song does make this a record to be mined for singles, rather than to be listened to as a Christmas record IMHO.
Another often covered standout for me is Tiberius’ loose and lovely “Christmastime is Here.” The song has a feeling of ramshackle comfort. I really enjoy the back half of the song when the orchestration expands and you get harmonica, melodica, and maybe French horn? Quite nice.
So now let’s talk about two songs not often covered, which I thoroughly enjoy by both reminding me that these great originals exist (sometimes you forget!), as well as enjoying what these bands bring to the song. Little Bit kicks into “Snow Day” at the end of the record, and I immediately jumped in recognition – this was a Matt Pond PA cover! There have been years of my life devoted to loving Matt Pond PA, and thatWinter Songs EP definitely sits on my shelf here at home. Little Bit serves the song well, giving it a light, airy feel. Super solid.
Finally, Small Shake & Fur Trader team up on the Harvey Danger indie classic, “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas,” which they execute perfectly. Dare I say… is this a dream-pop version?? Those effects pedals! The beautiful, floating vocals! Give me that shoegaze/dream-pop Christmas record!
I only scratched the surface on this record, as I only really have time these days to scratch, but there aren’t any duds on here, and you’ll have much here to add to your Christmas mix/playlist.
EDIT: Just an FYI, this compilation is ONLY available on Bandcamp, and will not be available on streaming.
Bottom Line: As of this moment, you are only able to sample one of the songs… but know that this record is quite solid – and for charity. Well worth the purchase price to support children and mine for fantastic singles.
You all are catching me in the final stage of my Christmas mixin… doing my best folks!
Aux Caroling (aka Scott Deaver) returns for the third year in a row with a handful of new, original Christmas tunes… and once again, I’m smitten. These songs have a warmth and humor that I enjoyed so much that I then went and bought them, despite being sent the MP3s earlier. I loved every song, but clever readers will know that I set the bar a long time ago to never talk about every single song on a record, either out of laziness or arrogance – you decide! (They are all great btw.)
You will never hear another Christmas song quite like “Bob Dylan and the Band Box Set,” which runs through the Bob Dylan box set the protagonist hopes to get for Christmas. How does one do this? Well, disc by disc of a 27-disc box set of course. I listened to this on the way to drop my son off this morning, and he found it amusing enough to comment on even while reading comics. High praise.
“Michael Clayton Blu-ray” continues the saga that began with “Is Michael Clayton a Christmas Movie?” on Aux Caroling’s 2022 record, Holly, Jolly, Melancholy. The song is quick and clever, and according to Scott, the song is “the running joke that will not die. Though the original was less a joke and just a song. But definitely in joke territory now.” I do enjoy the joke 🙂
My favorite moment of this record is actually the ending. The final song, “Keep it Together,” is a slow meditation, what I imagine to be an affirmation to get through the season with those complicated people and relationships in your life. “Keep it together / Say Merry Christmas and go away.” I connect with that… but I was most moved by the orchestration itself – how the outro builds in with these gentle, abrasive, beautiful tones. La da da dadada…
Bottom Line: Yet again, short, funny, beautiful, poignant and sad all mashed up in a way that only Aux Caroling can.
I’ve had my eye on this one for a while. After coming across Icelandic singer/songwriter Arny Margret through her wonderful 2022 holiday duet with Asgeir, “Part of Me,” she was fully on my radar. So when I got the Bandcamp notification for a new record, I am going to check it out. I Miss You, I Do comes out in March, so you can imagine my distress when I saw the closer was called “Happy New Year,” and it wasn’t the first preview track for the record. I simply assumed that I was going to have to circle back in the spring and stash a track for next year. But no! Arny dropped a second preview track with plenty of time for Christmas mix consideration. “Happy New Year” has that blanket of melancholy that, if you read this blog, you know I’m a sucker for. However… the turn at the end is so satisfying and hopeful, as the orchestration expands and Arny’s voice raises – that I could see this track finishing off a mix beautifully.
Dang. I want this whole record pretty bad.
Bottom Line: I’m not sure if I’m happy for a new year, but I’m certainly happy for this song.
Christmas Underground 