Category: Alt Rock

THE HOLIDAZE - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

12/14/2015

The Holidaze are a Pop Punk supergroup featuring members of Good Charlotte (Joel), 5 Seconds of Summer (Ashton), Simple Plan (Pierre), and Goldfinger (John). Along with Alex Gaskarth, the artists got together to record "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" to help promote the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit that seeks to inspire today's youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives. They ask that you consider making a contribution of whatever you can afford.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" starts out traditional (showing off some serious pipes) but finishes in a rousing Pop Punk flourish. It's intended as a free download. The group has blown through their Soundcloud download allotment, but you can now download the song here.

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CELKILT - LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

12/14/2015

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Even with the Internets, finding out about EVERY new release is impossible. Some real good stuff flies completely under the Radar O'Reilly. I just tripped over this new album from Celkilt, which was released on CD overseas on November 22. Oddly, the shorter version of "Kiltmas Songs"--the EP version--was released digitally on Amazon the week before. But they still don't have a listing for the full album, even as an Import.

I can't swear to their genealogy, but Celkilt are a French band who wear kilts and sing Irish flavored Rock tunes. It's great stuff, if a little head-scatching. And, at least on "Kiltmas Songs", it sounds like they're having a party on every track. Sorry I missed this one until after I was broke. There's always next year.

Anyway, Celkilt, in the spirit of the season, has an Advent Calendar at their website with each day bringing a new picture or video or future concert dates. Nestled in there on Day 9 is the only free download, so far. "Let It Snow" isn't included on either the digital EP or the digital single--only on the full "Kiltmas Songs" CD. So here's your chance to get it free from Celkilt. Simple enough. And they don't even want your email address. Merry Kiltmas! Kilts for everyone!

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TWINKIE - CHRISTMAS DOWN IN MEMPHIS

12/13/2015

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Who, you may ask, is/are Twinkie? Not the UK Punk band. Not the female Soul and Gospel singer. Not the disgusting yet somehow irresistible taste treat. "Just 2 brothers from Memphis, Tn having fun". Alrighty then.

Apparently, Twinkie is comprised of Matthew and Mark Downen and, while they aren't exactly the Yule Logs, Twinkie is pretty much a Christmas thing (though there are two non-holiday tracks in their Soundcloud feed). There's a video up on YouTube from 2011 of "Please Come Home For Christmas", but that's about the only footprint I'm seeing.

But this year's Twinkie tunes, so far, are much better (IMHO). Take "Christmas Down In Memphis". OK, its a Blues. You got me. I'm biased. But--and I know I'll probably offend a lot of people in saying this--to me, it sounds like what I'd imagine a T-Rex Blues number would or should sound (yes, I'm aware that T-Rex actually DID record some Blues, but that Glam element always moved those tunes out of the Blues column for me). Even on Twinkie's less impressive "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", there's a bit of a T-Rex vibe (it ain't Glam, but it rocks). Both songs are available as free downloads on Soundcloud. And its possible there may be more to come. Just in case, "like" the boys on Facebook so you can stay apprised.

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VARIOUS - POP A NOEL

12/12/2015

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1. KISSAMILÉ Let It Snow (Cover)
2. MANUEL ÉTIENNE – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey Cover)
3. HOBOKEN DIVISION – Cookies & Milk
4. ORWELL The Man With All – The Toys (Beach Boys Cover)
5. EDDY LA GOOYATSH – Rise Up Shepherd And Follow (Traditional)
6. RICH DELUXE – The Clarinet That Roared
7. JULIEN BOUCHARD – Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)
8. POPANOËL – Interlude I
9. DIRTY WORK OF SOUL BROTHERS & RODGER N FURTER – Rougail Dinde
10. ESSIA ESCH – What Christmas Means To Me (Stevie Wonder Cover)
11. THE WISE DUDE’S REVOLVER – More Snow, Please…
12. ROMAIN THOMAS (LULLABIES) – A Cold Snow
13. TEQUILASAVATE Y SU HIJO BASTARDO – Noches En Posadas
14. TWIN PRICKS – Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)
15. KING AUTOMATIC & RICH DELUXE – Stay Drunk At Christmas
16. RÉMI SANTA AND FRIENDS – I ♥ X-Mas (Je Coeur Noël)
17. POPANOËL – Interlude II

A tip o' the hat to Lie In The Sound for bringing this collection of Indie Pop and Indie Rock to light.

Since I speak neither French nor German, I can tell you that "Pop A Noel" was put together by Europop, Emission Electrophone, and Nancy(?). Who and what they are, I haven't got a clue. Looks like Nancy might be a town. But I can tell you that this is the first such collection AND that there is an intention to do more.

Several of these tracks sound, to me, like opportunities unfulfilled. An artist has a great concept for reworking a seasonal standard but then just doesn't go anywhere with it. As a whole, I suppose I'd give "Pop A Noel" a "B". But there are some tunes that rise above the rest and would be welcome on any holiday mix or in any holiday library. And, hey, it's free and (so far) every track here is exclusive to this collection. So why quibble?

My personal favorite on a first run through was Hoboken Division's "Cookies & Milk" ("You can keep your cookies and milk/I'm drinking whiskey now"). It just sounds like the most fully realized Christmas song in the lot. Other tracks I liked a lot include Tequilasavante's "Noches En Posadas" (there's something winning about a punkish one-man-band singing a Christmas song in Spanish on a French compilation that is otherwise sung in English), King Automatic & Rich Deluxe singing "Stay Drunk At Christmas" (with its double-oh-seven Surf guitar), Rich Deluxe again on "The Clarinet That Roared" (with its relentless circus rhythm), and "Je Coeur Noel" by Remi Santa and Friends, which has the sweetest Indie sound and likely the most staying power for that. "Rise Up Shepherd And Follow" was pretty good, too. The one that got away, as it were--the one I so wanted more from-- was Essia Esch's cover of Stevie Wonder's "What Christmas Means To Me". She found a totally new groove for the song and it could have turned into something super special, but it needed something more--a second gear, or, I dunno-- and it never got there and just kind of gave up. Too bad, she's got a sweet sound. And its still better than 95% of the covers of that song.

Anyway, "Pop A Noel" is free for the taking on the Europop website, available in either MP3 or FLAC. Go get it.

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SALTON SEA - IN CHRISTMAS TIME

12/12/2015

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Salton Sea is ostensibly the solo project of Virginia's Mark Strong. Mark has been a longtime stalwart of the Virginia music scene as a member of other bands, but he figured it was time to fly on his own. Primarily an Indie Rock artist, "In Christmas Time" is more Indie Pop--sort of along the lines of Owl City, but a tad closer to Alt Rock. If I had to sum up the theme of "In Christmas Time", I'd say it's "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Yeah, the world is kinda crazy right now and people are miserable to each other far too much. But the answer is neither to up the ante on being rotten to other people (ANY other people) nor to put your head down and withdraw. It solves nothing to do nothing. You wish people were nicer to each other--and not just in December? Make it so. If you, yourself, decide to be nicer to others (regardless of what they do), guess what? You just made the world a nicer and better place. That's how its done, son....one person at a time. Be the first on your block. Start a trend. And, because I know you're going to strive to be nicer to those around you.... Here, have a free Christmas song from Salton Sea. Use the widget up top or trek over to Soundcloud.

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THE PAPERBACK THRONE - ALL BEST INTENTIONS

12/12/2015

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Not to over think it, but you could see Scandinavian Dream Pop as one branch of the evolutionary tree that grew from the Beatles. Or you could see them as entirely different things. On their holiday EP "All Best Intentions", The Paperback Throne seem to draw equally from those two sources. Yet they label their own music Alt Folk and Folktronica. Now, me, I just like the music. Call it whatever you want. And, although I will usually sample an artist's non-holiday catalog, I didn't do that here. For one thing, I'm tired (hey, just being straight with you). For another, the music on "All Best Intentions" speaks for itself. And it speaks quite well.

The EP opens with a rocking "Resolution", but its track two that I've fallen in love with. "No Mean Christmas" is just a perfect Christmas song. I believe it's actually at least a few years old, but its new to me. The song features an insistent rhythm lying beneath vocals as soft and airy as a dandelion's white floaties. The chorus and instrumental breaks get downright Grunge and Psych, but the vocals remain pretty much on the softer side of Sears. The tune is perfect, just perfect. So I have to wonder how I missed it for two years. And I have to wonder why there wasn't more chatter about it.

"One Simple Kiss" is a ballad, a beautiful composition that sounds almost like it came out of a Lennon-McCartney ballad songbook. And "Killin to Killearn" reminds me a bit of George Harrison's "Within You Without You", without the sitars and Indian influence.

The Paperback Throne hail from Glasgow, Scotland, and you could just as easily compare their music to that of Indie favorites Low. The group seems to have been fairly quiet in 2015, not posting much to their Facebook or Twitter pages. But they do have a gig later this month (at Bloc in Glasgow so, no, I won't be there). I suspect they just found social media a bit of a drag (as I do--so maybe that's just projection). Grab "All Best Intentions" at Bandcamp and pray the group has some more Christmas music in them.

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ANTHONY & IRENE CHAPMAN - THE NEWBORN KING

12/12/2015

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This is interesting. We've been celebrating the Festival of Lights on the front page. This isn't Hanukkah music, but....

Anthony & Irene Chapman are from New England, but emigrated to Israel several years ago. Their holiday EP, "The Newborn King", features two versions each of two classic Christmas carols. The second version of each starts out the same but then goes on to feature lyrics sung in Hebrew. No doubt some traditionalists in each camp will find this difficult to accept, but I say, if we can bring music together, why not whole nations? Alright, alright, a little naive, even for me. But I do think its a great concept and it works great here.

Even when the Christmas music of Anthony & Irene Chapman isn't featuring lyrics in Hebrew, the music, itself, is a fusion of influences. The Middle Eastern feel of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" is undeniable and, while "Silent Night" has its share of Middle Eastern influence as well, what struck me on that one was the Progressive Jazz Fusion feel. The cumulative effect is both bracing and very appealing. Take away the Hebrew lyrics and you still have original arrangements and music that excites and stimulates. Dare I say "inspires"? Very cool.

"The Newborn King" is available free from Bandcamp and Noisetrade.

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KAT EATON - CHRISTMAS EP

12/11/2015

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A young UK Soul/Blues/Pop singer/songwriter, Kat Eaton has been compared to Amy Winehouse and, believe it or not, Joe Cocker. That's on the strength of her original music and performances. Listening to this gorgeous "Christmas EP", the first name that popped into my head was Joss Stone. I don't think that's quite right either, but the point is the woman has Soul. Kat's only commercial release so far (that I know of) is last year's EP "Live Ont' Sofa at the Foundry" ("Live at the Foundry" for short). But she is working on a new record, now, and you might want to "like" her at Facebook to find out what's coming and when.

The "Christmas EP" is just three songs long and they're very much seasonal standards. I almost took a pass, but decided to give it a shot. I have lived my entire life without knowing that "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" had such beauty and depth. The secret, of course, is that it really doesn't....but Kat does. Unlike a lot of artists who give a perfunctory nod to the season with a standard cover, Kat puts so much of herself into these songs that they are absolutely her's. I'm trying very hard to not like "Let It Snow", but Kat makes that impossible. And that's the least impressive of the trio (to me). The other two melt me into a puddle on the floor. Just. So. Beautiful. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" hasn't packed this much of an emotional impact since Judy Garland sang it. The rest of Kat's portfolio might be of a different flavor--haven't listened to much--but knowing she can do this....I eagerly await whatever she does next. Grab Kat Eaton's "Christmas EP" at Soundcloud or use the widget above.

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ICE CUTTERS - BABY DON'T YOU CRY TOO MUCH

12/10/2015

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I've had this one bookmarked for about a week and just never got back to it. And I saw it on one of the other Christmas sites (or possibly in a Twitter feed)--can't remember who--which reminded me of what a nice little tune it is. Wish I could remember which site had it; I like to give credit where credit's due.

Ice Cutters are a versatile band from Wales (that's Wales UK, not whales, OK). They write new music in Pop, Rock, Country, Blues, and Americana. "Baby Don't You Cry Too Much" is done in a retro late 50s/early 60s Pop Vocal Group style (think the Belmonts or The Four Seasons...or even one of the early R&B groups). I like it. It's snappy. And I like snappy. Feel free to punch on over to Soundcloud for the download.

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VARIOUS - A NOTROCK HOLIDAY COMPILATION, VOLUME 7

12/7/2015

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1. Hides A Well - Decorations
2. Sally - Christmas Isn't Over
3. Young Legs - First Day
4. Borrasca - Snowed In
5. Please Exist - Bleed Christmas Dry
6. We Have Ghosts - I Wish it was Christmas Today
7. Zack Frank - Winter Weekend
8. Nicole Grogan - Christmas Present
9. Deja Gravy - Yule
10. Joe Egan - I'll Be Home For Christmas
11. straight creep. - All I Want For Christmas Is A New Cellphone
12. John Fisher & Molly Farrell - Black Christmas
13. Murph - Memory Lights
14. We Use To Love - 12-31-????
15. The McCarthyists - Merry Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Whatever You Like to Call It
16. Tabitha Booth (feat. Jesse Hardy) - Winter Blues
17. Joe Egan - Play Your Flute For Grandma
18. Ezra Lowry - True North
19. Awjita - Linus & Lucy
20. Eric K - It's Time To Go

NotRock is a New Jersey DIY label and this their SEVENTH holiday compilation. They just put out the call--to anyone, really, and artists submit their Christmas songs. Hey, its DIY; that's how its done. So you get a little bit of almost everything, here--from Indie Folk to Punk. Twenty songs is a bit much for me to digest this time of year (I don't even want to think about the other six volumes), and there's actually plenty, here, that doesn't work for my head. There are a bunch I really kinda like. And there are TWO tracks from this collection I am in love with.

One of my two faves is the one represented in video (it does kind of bug me that Bandcamp comp players will just keep going, not stopping after the one song you want to feature; there must be a way to fix that, but I haven't figured it out yet). Awjita proves nothing less than the genius of Vince Guaraldi, as his "Linus & Lucy" sounds absolutely brilliant in this Psych Jazz cover. In general terms, it reminds me of the great jamming bands of the late 60s (Greatful Dead were the kings of it, but everyone was doing the free form thing at the time). Awjita, here, does remind me of a specific band, but I can't put my finger on it. Anyway Free Form Psych Jazz is about as different as you're going to find anywhere. And I like different.

My other fave is Nicole Grogan's "Christmas Present", a Lo-Fi Indie tune with a cool melody, some great guitar work, wonderful lyrics, and miles and miles of attitude. And, from that, you might think I was describing some raucous Metal or something. But, no, the song's genius is in its laid back self assurance. It reminds me a lot of the early days of Indie on the Internets, when some very talented people were making beautiful sounds that, at the same time, were simple, low tech and Lo-Fi.

Some others (the ones I "really kinda like") are Sally's Indie Pop "Christmas Isn't Over", Borrasca's "Snowed In" (also Indie Pop), "All I Want For Christmas Is A New Cellphone" (Pop Punk from straight creep), the atmospheric Alt Rock/Pop Punk New Year's tune from We Used To Love ("12-31-????"), Tabitha Booth's "Winter Blues" (still working out how to categorize that one--sort of a Bluesy Dream Pop...or maybe Shoegaze...or maybe all of the above), the Indie Folk of Zach Frank's "Winter Weekend", and Joe Egan's Alt Jazz/Ambient Electronica "Play Your Flute For Grandma". So that's not bad. I liked half of it. You might find yourself drawn to some of the others. But the two that (IMO) make venturing to Bandcamp for the free download are the tracks from Awjita and Nicole Grogan.

There were hard copy CDs of "A NotRock Holiday Compilation, Volume 7", but they were for the artists and the release show. If any are left over, I'd assume they'll turn up at NotRock's online shop where it looks like they still have copies of the first three at stupid low prices ($3 for a 22 song CD? C'mon, that's like stealing). The download versions are all loaded at Bandcamp and "name-your-price".

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THE HOLIDAZE - HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

CELKILT - LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

TWINKIE - CHRISTMAS DOWN IN MEMPHIS

VARIOUS - POP A NOEL

SALTON SEA - IN CHRISTMAS TIME

THE PAPERBACK THRONE - ALL BEST INTENTIONS

ANTHONY & IRENE CHAPMAN - THE NEWBORN KING

KAT EATON - CHRISTMAS EP

ICE CUTTERS - BABY DON'T YOU CRY TOO MUCH

VARIOUS - A NOTROCK HOLIDAY COMPILATION, VOLUME 7

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