| | 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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As usual, I've been sifting through piles of crap Christmas tunes, tonight, figuring there's got to be a pony in there somewhere. Dig long enough, you'll find something worth sharing.
I love the Alt Country/Indie Pop sound on "No Christmas (Until You're Coming Home)". Sounds like something that would have been cut in the early 60s. Very cool. The lyrics feel a bit clunky at times, but the sound is so tremendous the song easily overcomes that. Couldn't find out anything about Fredrik Magnusson, except that he's Swedish (I'm starting to think Magnusson is in Sweden what Smith and Jones are in America). Don't care. Love it. "No Christmas (Until You're Coming Home)" is a free download on Soundcloud. There's an earlier Fredrik Magnusson Christmas song at the bottom of his Soundcloud feed. "First Christmas" is from 2012, but you can still download it free if you're so inclined.
 When the British Invasion first hit American shores, it started something that's been evolving ever since. Almost immediately, the garage band phenomenon began, leading the way to experimentation with more aggressive sounds and deeper, more meaningful (more political) lyrics. But, when the British Invasion arrived, it was all about melodic pop and jangly guitars. It was fun music about holding hands and admiring smiles.
That's the era Mondo Quinn and his brother Philip grew up in and that's the music they loved and wanted to make. The Quinn Brothers are living and playing in their native Australia (Tasmanian devils, the both of them), but the Internet is this era's garage, so we all get to hear. And "Hear The Bells On Christmas Day" (or any of their other songs on Bandcamp or ReverbNation) will instantly transport you back to the melodic pop of the early to mid sixties. Good, fun stuff. |
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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