Album Reviews
»The Christmas/Holiday Tuneage Alternatives Edition
by Joshua Krage
Sure I love Christmas music. But walking into a big-box store and being assaulted with the latest Disney star’s canned version of “Joy to the World” over the PA is only two steps away from waterboarding in my book. If you’re like me, you want some alternatives– and that’s what I’ve compiled here for you. A few choice Christmas/holiday albums you won’t find at your local WarMalt but you may be able to track down via iTunes or the internets, and which will definitely make your indie-lovin’ seasons bright. Enjoy:
Maybe This Christmas (+Maybe This Christmas Too? / Tree) – released between 2002-2004 on the Nettwerk label, these are a mix of classics and original songs for the indie music fan’s palette. Some of my favorites are Dan Wilson’s “What a Year For a New Year,” Copeland’s serene rendering of “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” Rufus Wainwright capturing the holiday spirit with “Spotlight On Christmas,” and the spritely Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLachlan duet on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” in full swing with a bit of “We Three Kings” thrown in. Something different and interesting for everyone looking to avoid stale fare, though some now-major-names do appear.
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Jingle All the Way – if you’re looking for excellent instrumental Christmas music but have worn out your copy of Vince Guaraldi’s ACharlie Brown Christmas album, here’s something staggeringly inventive and enjoyable. Fleck is a banjo master many times over, his band is one of the tightest jazz collectives known to man, and together they power through a tasteful set of holiday standards and lesser-known gems, like Joni Mitchell’s “River” and a Bach oratorio. The solo banjo Xmas-song medley is one truly jaw-dropping tour-de-force.
Over the Rhine, Snow Angels – already an undeservedly-obscure indie band, Linford Detweiler and Karen Bergquist’s Over the Rhine don’t need to cater to anyone’s expectations of their work, and this Christmas/holiday album is very representative of their unique and qualitative ethic. Full of enrapturing piano tones and well-constructed songs (check “Goodbye Charlie” for a spot-on Vince Guaraldi tribute), this is both a great Christmas album and a strong stand-alone album in its own right, for any time of year.
Selah, Rose of Bethlehem – needing a contemporary Christian Christmas album but not wanting Amy Grant’s re-warmed fruitcakes? This is a vocal trio of unchallenged quality, particularly female member Nicol Smith, whose voice goes from a reverent whisper to a majestic declaration in stunning fashion all over this album. Interesting new inventions of classics here also, alongside some truly glorious traditional songs.
Gary Hoey, Ho! Ho! Hoey! 1, 2, & 3 – If you’re a fan of the awesome guitar-shredder instrumentals on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra albums, this is the guy who had that idea first, and released three separate albums of face-melting Christmas guitar solos and serene meditations on holiday classics. Especially noteworthy: the low-end riff-damage from his take on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Heavy!
Merry Axemas, Volumes 1 & 2 – along the “shred the halls with riffs of fury” lines, there are these two entries from guitar virtuoso Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label. Highlights include Tomoyasu Hotei’s slowly-building version of “Happy Xmas/War is Over,” bass titan Stu Hamm’s “Sleigh Ride” on his four-string, Vai’s own serene cut of “Christmastime is Here,” and an absolutely perfect choir-infused rendering of “Amazing Grace” from Jeff Beck, which is among my all-time favorite tracks of all time.
Christmas Songs (Nettwerk) – a little-known assembling of different takes on holiday songs from the Nettwerk label featuring some of my favorites for the season. My picks here are Matthew Ryan’s raspy “Little Drummer Boy,” a tear-inducing song called “The Cat Carol” from Meryn Cadell, and the sweetest little version of “Ave Maria” you’ve ever heard, by the angelic Jennifer McLaren.
Future of Forestry, Advent EPs I & II – one of my all-around favorite bands since their inception, San Diegan Eric Owyoung’s Future of Forestry does everything with an epic scope of atmosphere and rhythm dynamics. These two EPs are different in form (first being huge, stratosphere-reaching electric-ambient guitar masterpieces and second chiming in on the acoustic angle) but Owyoung’s yearning tenor and inventive arrangements transform them from warmed-over holiday fare to thrilling centerpieces.
Johnny Mathis, Christmas with Johnny Mathis – sure it’s akin to more traditional/classic side of things, but I grew up with this album and still have not heard its equal for a classic-sounding LP from a pop vocalist. Johnny Mathis’ voice is pure butterscotch joy, you can just feel his warm smile singing “The Sounds of Christmas” or imparting the virtues of a “Marshmallow World” in the winter. Plus his recording of the “Hallelujah Chorus” is a great blend of chorus and his fine voice.
That’s about all I have off the top of my head. If you have things you think should be added, please do chime in. And if you find something here you like, I’m happy to have made anyone’s season brighter, by whatever measure I can.
Other obvious selections: A Very Special Christmas (vols 1-7), Trans-Siberian Orchestra (three albums), Mannheim Steamroller (lots of LPs), Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, Now That’s What I Call Christmas!, the list goes on.
—–
To view past reviews, visit our archives.