SOUNDTRACK: HOLIDAYS RULE (2012).
This collection is fairly new (a second volume has just come out this year). It was curated by Chris Funk from The Decemberists. It’s a nice mix of contemporary bands and classic songs. The disc is mostly fun–it gets a little bogged down in the middle–and upbeat.
FUN-“Sleigh Ride”
The first time I heard this had no idea who it was (I didn’t look at the disc). I actually thought it was a female pop singer. After listening a few times I’m mixed but favorable on it. I love the sound effects in the background. It’s fun, even with the autotune.
THE SHINS-“Wonderful Christmastime”
This is one of my least favorite Christmas songs, but I like this version better than Pauls’s. It doesn’t sound especially like The Shins to me though.
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT AND SHARON VAN ETTEN-“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
I love Rufus’ distinctive voice–he does louche so well. Sharon is somewhat indistinct here but she is well-matched with him.
PAUL McCARTNEY-“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”
This might be the only disc I have where someone covers a song by an artist on the disc. His version of this is way too slow. But I am intrigued that he says “some holly and some mistletoe” (Because he’s vegetarian).
BLACK PRAIRIE featuring SALLIE FORD-“(Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man with the Bag”
I typically don’t care for this song, but I love this bluegrassy version. It’s stomping and fun (and Chris Funk plays on it).
THE CIVIL WARS-“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
The Civil Wars are downbeat folk artists but, man, their voices together are so lovely. Their harmonies make this song essential despite the less than upbeat rhythms.
CALEXICO-“Green Grows the Holly”
This song sounds so wonderfully Calexico. I love it and would even have assumed it was an original of theirs if I didn’t know better,
AGESANDAGES-“We Need A Little Christmas”
I’m torn about this song. They modify the delivery and I think I like it. It’s also pretty infrequently played so it gets extra points. But it feels like a real downer when you can hear the lyrics so clearly.
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY-“That’s What I Want for Christmas”
I don’t know who this is. And I don’t really care for this song which is kind of slow and ponderous even if the message is a good one.
IRMA THOMAS WITH PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND-“May Ev’ry Day be Christmas”
This is big brassy version of the song which sounds like it could be quite old with Thomas’ husky voice.
HEARTLESS BASTARDS-“Blue Christmas”
I dislike this song to begin with, so making a countryish version certainly doesn’t help.
ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER-“Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me”
So this song is interesting with its strange chord choices and themes. And it would be great if it were like 2 minutes long. It seems to end quite naturally at that time, but then some vibes come in and the song gets all slinky. That would be fine except it just repeats the same line and vibes section for 3 minutes! WTF Eleanor?
FRUIT BATS-“It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas”
It drives me nuts the way this guys says Creeesmas. Why does he say it like that? It’s crazy. And I can’t get past it because he says it a bunch.
Y LA BAMBA-“Señor Santa”
This song is more or less “Mister Sandman” but sung with the lyrics of Mister Santa. There’s a wheezy accordion and the great accented voice of the lead singer Luz Elena Mendoza. I love this and more artists should invent songs like this for the holidays.
PUNCH BROTHERS-“O come, O come, Emmanuel”
The Punch Brothers are awesome and this version of this song terrific. Chris Thile sings wonderfully as he gets that mandolin worked up. I love that they turn it into an opportunity to stretch out some, too.
THE HEAD AND THE HEART-“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
A terrific duet with the unmistakable voice of Charity Rose Thielen. This is a sprightly and fun song and they do a great job. I love the way she sings “maybe I’m crazy” and the vamping at the end is fantastic.
ANDREW BIRD-“Auld Lang Syne”
Andrew plays some high-spirited violin and sings briskly. There’s a kind of countryish feel to it, which is quite different for this song.
Overall this is a good collection to add. Nothing offensive or off-putting and maybe just one or two duds.
[READ: December 21, 2017] “The First Day of Winter”
Once again, I have ordered The Short Story Advent Calendar. This year, there are brief interviews with each author posted on the date of their story.
Hello. Welcome. It’s finally here: Short Story Advent Calendar time.
If you’re reading along at home, now’s the time to start cracking those seals, one by one, and discover some truly brilliant writing inside. Then check back here each morning for an exclusive interview with the author of that day’s story.
(Want to join in? It’s not too late. Order your copy here.)
This year I’m pairing each story with a holiday disc from our personal collection. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 