So when it comes to holiday or Christmas music, I am pretty much a purist. Especially when it comes to the classic songs of the season. What I am saying is that there are way too many bastardized versions of Christmas songs out there. I (generally) absolutely abhor almost every single R&B vocal version of any Christmas song recorded from about 1980-present. Yes that means you Mariah Carey!
So what I present you with tonight are some of my favorite modern interpretations of traditional Christmas songs as well as some new original Christmas songs from your favorite artists. And even though all the songs are taken from other compilations, they are features here together for the first time ever! A Very CYSTSFTS Christmas contains songs by: Alkaline Trio, Seven Day Jesus, Death Cab, Sufjan Stevens, The Dismemberment Plan, Feist, Jason Gleason, Five Iron Frenzy, The Promise Ring, Fall Out Boy, Coldplay, and Belle & Sebastian. You gotta love that.
I also recall that as a child, I always eagerly anticipated the Holiday Dr. Demento show that featured the best holiday comedy songs around. A bunch of those classic tunes are complied below and will leave you laughing in a puddle of your own urine.
In addition to all that, we have a version of “White Christmas” by none other than Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon fame as well as a track from the latest release by Diane Cluck. She is a unique singer/songwriter in the same vein as Tori Amos or Julie Doiron. Her most recent release is called Oh Vanille/Ova Nil and is out now on Important Records.
According to Mojo Magazine, Devendra Banhart said, “This record is by my favorite singer-songwriter in all of New York City. I’m so happy to be alive at the same time she is because i get to see her perform. It’s her and guitar or her and piano or her and harmonium. Her lyrics are so good, when i play this for people they stop doing everything and are quiet for hours after.”
Nouvelle Vague is a fantastic French project/group with an interesting concept. Per their website, “Their idea was to forget the initial punk or new wave background of each song, keep simple fundamental chords, work with young singers who never heard the original versions, and make the quality of original songwriting happen in a completely different way.” It is a fantastic album and this version of The Clash’s “Guns Of Brixton” is great.
MP3 | Mark Kozelek – White Christmas (Live) Previously Unreleased
MP3 | Diane Cluck – Easy To Be Around Oh Vanille/Ova Nil
MP3 | Nouvelle Vague – Guns Of Brixton ST
You are spoiling us!
And I must say, I do enjoy R&B Christmas songs, although that 1980 cutoff sounds about right – give me “A Motown Christmas” any day over the Everly Brothers.
So yes, the year is almost over, which means soon we must do our Best of 2005 lists!
Zappa week coming soon…
I’m spoiling nobody. You have all been very good little boys and girls this year. Oh, and all the great Jackson 5, Motown, Stevie Wonder, etc… Christmas stuff was all pre-1980 (I think). If not, revise that date.
the mark kozelek link leads to the atdi song from your last post.
BAD LINK! Everyone slug him in the arm for his incompetence! Kidding. Much love, Eric.
And the people said, AMEN!!! I agree about the R&B covers. And I’m totally snagging your Christmas mix.
you hit the nail on the HEAD with this one!!!!
thanks for the heads up. in hopes of avoiding crappy xmas music, i’m hopelessly addicted to bing crosby and phil spector’s xmas album.
The Clash is the best band ever!
Well, not really, but they’re pretty good.
Yeah. So I screwed up the link. It should be working now. I even tested to make sure. See what happens when you try to post while feeding a baby? Also, as Moka said, the Clash is the best band ever.
I also am a purist when it comes to Christmas music. There is nothing worse than some pop artists singing “new” christmas songs. Give me traditional songs or nothing!
Hey anyone who wants a really interesting mix, you should check out http://24slices.blogspot.com/
I have to say it has really good transitions and quotes.
Enough of this
The christmas mix was pretty damb good. I found the link through that girl needs therapy.
I guess i am going to keep an eye on this place. Keep up the good work.
SOB
just so you know, Diane Cluck actually has a new release
It’s called Countless Times, just came out last month and is fantastic. Although not as experimental as Oh Vanille!, what Diane does with her voice on Countless Times is incredible, and it’s one of the best and most beautiful albums of the year. Check it out.
ps check my blog out as well http://gosound.blogspot.com
Royalty Free Beats For One Dollar
At
http://upbeat.tk