Tag: Wham!

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Bleu Rheine Presente La Compil’ de Noël #5

A black cover, with Compil de Noel #5 written in hot pink

Bleu Rheine
Buy: Bandcamp

I worked nearly two days in one day today, and today/tomorrow is likely the biggest release day of the year for Christmas bloggers. I’m going to do my best to feature my favorites, maybe even throw in a new find or two.

Bleu Rheine are back, making magic happen as usual. Those who can count (humble brag) have noticed that Bleu Rheine Presente La Compil’ de Noël #5 is indeed their fifth wonderful compilation of covers. Not all the songs will be Christmas songs, but let’s get busy with those Christmas tunes!

First out of the gate is Vivienne, who provides us with the obligatory “Last Christmas” cover. It’s quite a challenge to tackle a song that everyone covers, and Vivienne does it well. Her voice is lovely, and the instrumentation has me thinking this could be considered for an elusive “Dream Pop” or perhaps “Sad Girl” Christmas mix. Depending on how many covers of this you have heard so far, this may just be the version you’ve been looking for.

Now… the next track… Paris’ Princesse Gilbert busted out a cover of Pedro the Lion’s “Yellow Bike!” I mean… I admit to being a fan of “Last Christmas,” despite the overwhelming number of covers, but would I rather have choices like this? Absolutely. Princesse Gilbert does a great job, stripping back the sound and chilling it out. Truly a wonderful surprise, and a feeling I’m going to cling to for the rest of this season. Give me more choices like this.

The Smiruldes, whom I cannot seem to find any info on, provide a lovely cover of Les Classels’ “Le Sentier de neige.” If you recall, I’ve already written about Klô Pelgag’s beautiful version, and this one shares some similar DNA. They are both quiet, thoughtful, and beautiful, though The Smiruldes play their guitar, and Klô Pelgag her piano. Either way you go, you can’t go wrong – this is gorgeous.

I’m going to talk about the Diane track, though it isn’t necessarily a Christmas song… it is really more like a Jesus song – hence the title “Jésus Christ.” It is one of the more delightful songs about Jesus I’ve heard, as it is incredibly short (bonus) and finishes with the repeated line – translated to English for you: “I wonder if Jesus was funny.” This’ll sneak onto a mix or two, I’m sure.

Sure seems folks are trying to make Elliott Smith’s “Angel in the Snow” a modern indie Christmas staple, kind of like the Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal” or something of the sort. Of note, the Fleet Foxes also covered “Angel in the Snow” this year for the Oh. What. Fun. soundtrack. But I digress… Neon Bay really put their mark on this one. It really doesn’t feel like the Elliott Smith song, which I give them credit for. They roughed it up, and I liked that a whole lot. And the stripped back ending.. phenomenal.

Yet again, Bleu Rheine delivers us some fantastic French indie Christmas covers, and as long as they are putting in the effort to put these records out, I’ll be here for them. Even when I’m quite tired, they help me find the spirit.

Bottom Line: There may only be a few Christmas tunes, but I’ll bet you’ll like the normal covers too. Let’s support Bleu Rheine and keep these coming! And hey – it benefits Association MaMaMa, which helps single and isolated mothers!

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Magdalena Bay “Last Christmas/Instant Crush” (2016)

girl singing into a microphone while a guy stands in the background playing guitar while wearing a santa hat

Self Released
Buy: Stream on Facebook

I am going to have to take a break from writing about Exnovios (those rascals apparently have ANOTHER Christmas song). This post is really for my friends over at Under the Radar (subscribe!), who I know are in love with LA’s Magdalena Bay. I happened to sniff out this cover of “Last Christmas” that they dropped on their Facebook page back in 2016, the year that the band first got together! It has been scientifically proven that nobody needs another cover of “Last Christmas,” thus, when you put this on your mix, you may get an initial sideeye from your snobby friends. But when Magdalena Bay works Daft Punk and Julian Casablancas’ “Instant Crush” seamlessly into the song, your friend’s face will scrunch up, and they’ll ask, “Who is singing this?” Followed by a, “Fuck, that was fun.” Enjoy!

Bottom Line: A fun nugget from the past with a band of the future!

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Hit the North Pole: A Festive Charity Compilation for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fun (2024)

Hit the North Records
Buy: Bandcamp

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 that Winter 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.

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Kestrels “Last Christmas” (2024)

Darla
Buy: Darla (MP3/FLAC) | Bandcamp

I am thoroughly sick of most popular Christmas songs. Somehow… “Last Christmas” is not in that category. It is likely my love of George Michael that keeps me from going full Grinch. However, most versions bore me to death – the same old same old. Thankfully, Halifax’s Kestrels have found a fuzzy, droning bassline that has given me permission to enjoy this song once again.

Bottom Line: Kestrels deliver a quick and easy thumbs up from a grumbly Christmas blogger.

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EDIT: Looks like this isn’t the first run with “Last Christmas!” Here is Kestrels member Chad Peck from 8 years ago 🙂

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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!

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Kristin Kontrol “Last Christmas” (2013/2016)

Kristin Kontrol - Last Christmas

Self Released
Buy: Stream on Soundcloud | Download

I first came across this synth-heavy (not that the original wasn’t) version of “Last Christmas” via Kurt Feldman, the producer of this track and the driving force behind the equally synth-heavy Ice Choir. Of course, I grabbed it and filed it away. Jump-cut to this past week, as I began to get back in the swing of things, and I came across the Minneapolis-based blog WeHeartMusic (who also did the great graphic above), and their feature about this song (including a download!). Kristin Kontrol (AKA Dee Dee from the Dum Dum Girls) recorded this classic Wham! song back in 2013 as a sort of a b-side to the spectacular Dum Dum Girls’ “On Christmas.” At the time they weren’t allowed to release it, but after the death of George Michael, KK said:

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(Here is a twitter moment that I’ve created showing the progression of tweets – including the reference to “On Christmas” being proto-KK”)

Thus, we have this cool, very Kurt Feldman + Kristin Kontrol version of “Last Christmas.”The beats are slightly amped up throughout the song, and it gives a perfect pacing to a song that I sometimes find just a hair slow. My favorite part about this track comes in at around 3:20, when they bring in these subtle little bits of percussion; They sound like synth bongos or something of the sort. Spot on KK & KF.

Bottom Line: Truly a killer version of THE Christmas pop song of the 80s.

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Gotta go to Soundcloud for this. They won’t let me embed it!