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I’m not sure what’s weirder: the fact that I love Christmas music or the near-insane procedure I go through to dig up and compile new Christmas music each Christmas season. This year, I drew heavily from a plethora of “indie,” digital-only EPs and compilations. Indie … yeah, I know. But there’s plenty of good music under the umbrella, so we’ll just run with it for now.
Here are six essential EPs and compilations that are sure to dub your holiday mix, “The Now That’s What I Call Christmas Killer.”
1. Slow Club – Christmas, Thanks For Nothing (2010)
Since Slow Club stormed stateside earlier this year, its label, Moshi Moshi, has done a fine job of importing more than just the 2009 debut, Yeah So. At least digitally. Count this charming and at times eerie Christmas EP as one of those gifts to U.S. fans. Originally released last year, the six-track EP is as good an introduction to the duo as anything they’ve released thus far. Playful, acoustic folk (“It’s Christmas and You’re Boring Me”); dreamy, minimalist pop (“All Alone on Christmas”); catchy, rough-around-the-edges rock (“Christmas [Baby Please Come Home]“)–it has everything you need to know about where Rebecca Taylor and Charles Watson are coming from. Did I mention it also includes the lovely, snowed-in duet “Christmas TV”? Yeah, they threw that one on there, too. This brief collection of music nicely sums up holiday desolation better than most anything out there.
Preview/download here.
2. Various Artists – A Christmas Gift For You From Moshi Moshi (2010)
Going along with the above release and taking a cue from the man who practically invented the pop-rock Christmas compilation, we have A Christmas Gift For You From Moshi Moshi. Although it’s no A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, the short, seven-song compilation has some bright lights, including Slow Club’s take on the Spector standard “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and an over-before-you-know-it “White Christmas,” courtesy of Idiot Glee. Also, if you’re a fan of the Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping” (I for one am not), check out Summer Camp’s spacier rendition of the classic ’80s tune.
Preview/download here.
3. Various Artists – The Christmas Gig (2010)
One last compilation and we’ll move on to more bands. This one is a freebie, though, so don’t complain. From Target comes 14 new, original tracks from indie favorites like Best Coast (w/ Wavves) and Coconut Records (actor Jason Schwartzman). Other contributing artists include Darker My Love and Crystal Antlers.
Preview/download for free here.
4. Bears – Snowman (2009)
It was a bright, sunny spring day when I first encountered Bears. My friend Doug, who for a time was responsible for some of Kent State University’s live music, cheerfully walked up beside me with a pink plume of cotton candy. And from that moment on, this band on stage/duo on tape would in my mind forever be associated with sunshine and sweet treats, qualities the sugary harmonies and pop sensibilities within lent themselves to. Last year, Charlie McArthur and Craig Ramsey embraced their Cleveland, Ohio, roots and entered a winter wonderland with a six-track EP (four songs on the 7″ with two extra included with the digital download). “I’m a Snowman,” “Merry Christmas Have a Happy New Year,” “Let Me See You Again” and “Holidays” (free download) make the transition from clear skies to flurries seem almost delightful.
Preview/download here.
5. Weezer – Christmas With Weezer (2008)
There’s not much you can say about this straightforward batch of traditional Christmas songs. Simply think back to when you were a kid when Christmas carols were more … accessible? With direct reference to the holiday all but officially banned from the public arena, the songs here hark back to simpler times. And Rivers & Co. keep it simple. Nothing flashy. All but one of the songs clock in under two and a half minutes. So close your eyes and imagine “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” or “O Holy Night” with that Weezer crunch, and you’re probably not far off to grasping this unabashedly seasonal EP.
Preview/download here.
6. The Raveonettes – Wishing You a Rave Christmas
Even with all the great music in their eight-year existence, when all is said and done, The Raveonettes for better or for worse may best be known for “The Christmas Song.” Not the that “The Christmas Song.” The original b-side to the “Heartbreak Stroll” single that would go on to be featured everywhere from movie and television soundtracks to mall playlists across America. It has remained a modern holiday classic since 2004. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that the duo revisited Christmas with a digital-only EP in late-2008. While their previous holiday hit is warm and full, the selections on the EP are chillier and more sparse. Sune Rose Wagner liberally used electronic beats and keyboards, and the overall tone is much sadder with nostalgic originals like “Christmas Ghosts” and “Christmas in Cleveland.”
Preview/download here.
