| | El Toro is not from Liverpool, in spite of the name of the single. They're actually domestic. But, when the Power Pop band set out to record a Christmas single this year, they thought, well, why not emulate one of the greatest and most influential bands ever and that wonderful Abbey Road studios sound? We've all heard the Fab Four and other Beatle-esque holiday bands, but this is something else entirely (in my humble opinion). And quite frankly, I think El Toro pulls it off quite nicely. It's more about the George Martin styled production and effects than anything. But both "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "O Holy Night" have that rich, full, psych infused Abbey Road sound. For my money (which, you know, its a free single so...), "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" works from start to finish. "O Holy Night", in some of the early moments, sounds a bit gimmicky, but finishes triumphant. In a mixtape, I'd be more likely to use the former. Two cool songs from a cool band and its free from Noisetrade. And, if you like what you hear, last year's El Toro Christmas song, "Merry Christmas Everybody" is still free on Soundcloud or Noisetrade (though not in the Abbey Road style, per se). |
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Soul Shop is a Massachusetts recording studio--all analog. For the second year in a row, Soul Shop gathered up as much of the local talent as they could to cut a holiday album. The New Lights are the Soul Shop house band, and they're joined on the album by a long long list of musicians and vocalists from area bands (if you want to see who is playing/singing on each track, click the "info" buttons). "Christmas Alone With You", unlike its predecessor, contains mostly original material. And the songs range from Americana to Soulful shuffles, to straight up Rock. You'll have to seek out your own favorites, but mine were "Haven't Seen You Since The Summer", which sounds like a 70s soul number, and the Bluesy "Cold Weather Man". Having lived in Massachu for a bit, it was also cool listening to "(It's Not Christmas) 'Til It Snows In Boston" (with Jeremy Lee Given on vocals and keys). And the cover songs, "Jesus Christ" and "Holiday Road" are both excellent. "Christmas Alone With You" is a free Bandcamp download. Once you've checked that, you might want to have a listen to 2013's "Last Month Of The Year". They made 30 hard copy CDs of that one. Though I can't say if any of the CDs remain, the digital download of "Last Month Of The Year" is also free.
 Now, if you are going to do a Novelty record (see below), make it a Blues. Making use of what seems to be a common theme this year, Santa is wasted, yo. Not his fault. All he did was eat the cookies they left for him. He should have checked his GPS, though, as he was in Colorado at the time. I don't care; I just dig hearing any Christmas Blues. "Mile High Santa" was recorded in New Jersey's Woodrock Studios and here's the lineup of Woodrock's Half Baked Christmas Band: C. Verderosa - Bass Pat "Slydell" Ruh - Rhythm Guitar & Slide Guitar John "JB" Bergen - Lead Guitar Jenny "Cat" Ketrow - Lyrics, Wurli & Hammond organ Mike "The Snake" Wojik - Drums Carlos "C'Dawg" - Vocals Charlie "Turkey Leg" Saraceno - Piano I don't know if other recording studios release an annual Christmas song but, apparently, Woodrock does. Here's last year's Hard Rock version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Pat Ruh, who plays on "Mile High Santa" as well, provides the lead guitar here. The other players are uncredited. Use the widget thingys or visit Woodrock Studios' Soundcloud Feed for the free download(s).  The Melodic Metal band from Georgia (and not the short-lived Christian band of the same name), Theocracy, has been doing the annual Christmas single thing for nearly a decade. The band started out as a one-man project in 2003, Matt Smith playing every instrument and providing every voice on the eponymous album debut. A drummer and guitarist were added and, in 2005, Theocracy released their first official Christmas song, "Little Drummer Boy". Now a five piece, they've released a Christmas song every year since except last year. The Christmas singles exhibit a great deal of diversity--some rocking Heavy and some less so. This year's track, "Night Of Silence", is a bit of a throwback to the days of the "power ballad". "Night Of Silence" is absolutely gorgeous. Beginning acoustic, gradually the voices come in. Then the drums. Then "Silent Night" becomes the counterpoint running underneath. All building to a crescendo before the closing piano notes. Really, for fans of Classic Rock bands like Journey and Poison, this is the Christmas song you've waited your whole life for. And I think it might be the best thing Theocracy's ever recorded. And that's saying something. Brilliant arrangement. Gorgeous song. And.... you can get it free (along with all the band's previous Christmas songs). Just register for the Theocracy Club of Souls. Registration is free. They expect to have a new album out in 2015 and it sounds like they're in top form so I can't wait.
 And the hits just keep on comin'. Here, for your downloading pleasure, is a three song EP of Christmas garage rock from Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems from Portland, Maine. Its cold up there, so they rock extra hard to stay warm in the winter months. If you didn't know, "Fingers" Rodgers is the keyboard man on the Connection's latest Christmas record (which, if you haven't picked up yet, you need to) and a favorite of Little Steven's Underground Garage. It's "Can't Spend Another Christmas (Without You)" that rocks the paint off the ceiling for sure. The EP also includes covers of Stevie Wonder's "What Christmas Means To Me" and Elton John's holiday B-side "Ho Ho Ho (Who'd Be A Turkey At Christmas)".
Kris is offering the EP as a "name-your-price" download through Bandcamp as a special "holiday sale". But he doesn't really say which holiday. So don't sleep on this one or it might no longer be free come Monday. Just sayin'. |
The FREE ListHere we hope to direct you to some of the Christmas music on the web that can be yours absolutely free. We will not direct you to mp3 or sharity sites, here, but only to artist sites, label sites, and other authorized and unquestionably legal locations. Archives2010 FREE List Categories
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