Happy New Year!

[I know this is early but I don't know if I'll get internet on the 1st... plus what's the harm in experiencing some early NYE cheer! :)]



I get the feeling this year will be interesting... this song seems particularly appropriate right now.
Yeasayer - 2080

'With scarves of red tied round their throats'

I'm heading to Canada for the next week so expect a slowdown of posts...

Glittering pistes await me!

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Noah and the Whale

Noah and the Whale are simultaneously the type of band I really want to hate and really want to love.

They're ridiculously twee, very cutesy, popular enough that it doesn't require much effort to discover them or to become a fan, but indie enough that all the cool kids like them. They're the kind of band people namecheck to look like they're into music, but that are charting in the top 10, and everyone knows them.

But then their music is insistently catchy, touchingly earnest, and very well-written. It's ridiculously easy music to listen to, which may sound like faint praise, but it is, to be honest, something of an underrated skill - these are songs that, without even trying, get under your skin and into your head. Plus, they have Laura Marling on some songs, and she nearly always makes a song better just by being there (see the Mystery Jets for further reference).

But despite all that I can't love them, for all the reasons above!

I can however, heartily recommend their album, Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down. Hopefully you can resolve this dilemma!

Festive Frivolities - the grand finale.

The Twelve Songs of Christmas are completed.

Alternative: Otis Redding, White Christmas
Traditional: Bing Crosby, White Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Festive Frivolities numero 4 & 5

(Sorry for the break there - last minute Christmas preparations became a little too intense. Here's a double whammy to make up for it.)

Alternative Tracks:
1. Ron Sexsmith - Maybe This Christmas
Really simple, sweet, genuine little Christmas song. A little bit wistful, which can be how I end up feeling at this time of year. All I know about Ron Sexsmith is that he was touted as the next Robbie Williams at one point in his career - not a fantastic omen admittedly, but, still this sincere song is a must for a Christmas playlist. Plus there's bells in it!

2. Low - Just Like Christmas
I think Low actually released a whole album/EP of Christmas tracks, but this is the only one I know from it, and I think due to it being featured on The O.C. and other such suitably indie soundtracks it's the best known of the album. More bells here (always good for a Christmas song), and a similiarly sweet, wistful wintry feel. Good to escape to listen to when the presents/relatives/food combo becomes a bit much.

Traditional tracks:

1. Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick
Again, not necessarily all that traditional, but very seasonal, Little Saint Nick is Christmas, 'surfer' style ('surfer' in inverted commas because only one of the Beach Boys actaully surfed, but you get my point). Really fun, I reckon this is a good song to groove around the kitchen to do whilst doing the turkey.

2. The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride [youtube]
The Phil Spector Christmas canon is rather impressive, and I couldn't exactly make a Christmas compliation without including at least one. The Ronettes' version of Sleigh Ride is, in my book, the definitive one, with bells and horse-hoof noises to boot. It's frothy and just doesn't take itself too seriously, exactly what is needed at this time of year. Although, let me tell you, sleigh rides aren't half as fun as they're made out to be here...

Festive Frivolities - part III

Alternative Track of the Day: Joni Mitchell, River

Not exactly cheery music, but sometimes appropriate for a time of a year when there are so many expectations that can't always be met. Mitchell's album Blue is an absolute classic, but River definitely has something special about it.


Traditional Track of the Day: John & Yoko, Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Perhaps traditional is the wrong word when talking about this track - nevertheless, Happy Xmas is a much-loved fixture in my house at Christmas, I grew up with it at Christmas. It's pretty much perfect in my mind - a commercial-free Christmas, capturing all the good things about Christmas, and none of the bad.

Festive Frivolities cont.

Alternative track: Grand Archives, Sleepdriving
OK, so not technically a Holiday/Christmas track, but I got this track off a holiday compliation CD free with SF based artsy magazine, ReadyMade, which is the kind of magazine that I wish I was cool and arty enough to read, but I'm not. The CD was excellent and this track is particular is very good. It perfectly captures that hazy feeling you get when you've been driving/travelling too long, but when you know that the place you're going to is worth it.

Traditional track: Chris Rea, Driving Home for Christmas
This is the traditional version of the track above. The key to this track is the line: 'I take a look at the driver next to me/he's just the same' - it's not the actual experience of driving but the feeling of unity, of a common experience that drives (pun unintended) this song.