It’s that time of year, and although most people will say they hate Christmas music, some of us don’t. But if you are tired of the same 15 Christmas songs, here are some new tunes for your Lockdown Christmas Party.
It’s been a long wait for the debut from former Biters front man Tuk Smith and his band The Restless Hearts. Just three killer singles released so far serve to tease what is sure to be a favorite release, when it finally comes out. Nevertheless, Tuk has kept busy this year, live streaming from his house and recording bunch of cover songs. He also released this amped up version of Slade’s 1973 Holiday hit – ‘Merry Xmas Everybody‘ for your egg nog guzzling pleasure.
The Dollyrots, married couple Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas are veterans of spreading Holiday Cheer, releasing an full album of Christmas tunes as far back as 2014. This year they rock up Darlene Love’s amazing 60’s classic ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ and add a special version of ‘All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)’ sung by their 7-year-old son River.
Arizona Americana legends Calexico went all out this year and released ‘Seasonal Shift‘ a full-on album of cross-cultural Christmas tunes. It offers a welcome respite from the overplayed mall fare – although Tom Petty’s ‘Christmas All Over Again‘ and Lennon’s ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)‘ are given the Calexico treatment.
Detroit ska punks We Are The Union put to music, what anyone who has worked retail during the Christmas season has experienced. “I’m working retail for Christmas, suddenly hell don’t seem so bad.” Yeah, we’ve been there.
Who would’ve thought anyone ever needs to hear a cover of the old standard ‘Jingle Bells‘ ever again? Well when it’s a punked up new wave version by Bleached, well ok then. It’s quite admirable that they somehow manage to breath some new life into the Christmas equivalent of Happy Birthday.
Majestica is a symphonic/power metal band from Boden, Sweden and their ambitious and ultimately triumphant power metal, high concept album ‘A Christmas Carol‘ is something for all metal fans to be grateful for and maybe everyone else to laugh at. Regardless, the video alone is just too good to ignore.
