That's the one. Right there. "This Is Christmas". Gorgeous. Beautiful. Wonderful. An original. I forgive everything for a song like that.
The Winter Failure is (currently) an Indie Christian Alt Folk trio (yeah, I'm sticking with that). And it looks like each member is in a different city. I could be wrong, but that's what it looks like. So you can imagine that they'll do whatever it takes to record their music. Cassette recorder? Sure. You can get pretty good sound on a phone these days. Yep. Dixie cup and a thread? Why not? There's a wide range of "sound", here. They'll bounce around from some pretty decent sound to Lo-Fi to the hall closet. But, God help me, I love 'em. Their sincerity and passion for Christmas music is palpable. That can't be taught or bought. And they clearly love the Christmas music gig. And you gotta love that.
We first reviewed them back in 2010. It was very rough and raw, tough to sit through at times, but there was a sliver of promise. Last year (on December 8, no less....must be a thing), we listened to "Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning". One or two mis-steps but, overall, a really solid album, I thought, with some serious highlights. I thought they were on the verge of something grand. Listening to "Another Christmas Failure", I'd have to say its still a work in progress.
"Another Christmas Failure" opens with a rock arrangement of "Away In A Manger" and I thought that was a mistake. Your first song needs to set the tone for the rest of the record. It didn't. Even though I liked the arrangement, it sounded unfinished and I think you needed better ears on the sound/mixing board. "Christmas Waltz" has some genuine charm but, following "Away In A Manger", all that is lost. The original "Fever Wreath", "In The Bleak Midwinter", and "Snow" were more what I was hoping to hear from Winter Failure; those were on a par with last year's record.
"Fairytale Of New York"? What were you thinking? Nope. Nope. Not having it.
And then..."This Is Christmas". From the ridiculous to the sublime. Aw, man, you see that? You guys are capable of absolute beauty and brilliance like that--the rival of any of the Alt Folk/Indie Folk Rock bands out there. And then you throw "Fairytale of New York" at me? And I did enjoy the closing medley (well done and a nice closer).
All sins are forgiven, thanks to "This Is Christmas". I would tell people to download it for that magical moment. Heck, I'd pay for that one (which folks can do now that The Winter Failure is on iTunes and Amazon). More like that, please. And, honestly, I can even understand "Fairytale of New York" (if I squint real hard). But set yourself up for success. If it were me, I'd have opened with "Fever Wreath" followed by "In The Bleak Midwinter" and then "This Is Christmas". A stage gig would be totally different but, for the record, that's how I'd have gone.
"Another Christmas Failure" is available as a free download from Noisetrade. If you didn't last year, grab "Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning" while you're over there.
The Winter Failure is (currently) an Indie Christian Alt Folk trio (yeah, I'm sticking with that). And it looks like each member is in a different city. I could be wrong, but that's what it looks like. So you can imagine that they'll do whatever it takes to record their music. Cassette recorder? Sure. You can get pretty good sound on a phone these days. Yep. Dixie cup and a thread? Why not? There's a wide range of "sound", here. They'll bounce around from some pretty decent sound to Lo-Fi to the hall closet. But, God help me, I love 'em. Their sincerity and passion for Christmas music is palpable. That can't be taught or bought. And they clearly love the Christmas music gig. And you gotta love that.
We first reviewed them back in 2010. It was very rough and raw, tough to sit through at times, but there was a sliver of promise. Last year (on December 8, no less....must be a thing), we listened to "Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning". One or two mis-steps but, overall, a really solid album, I thought, with some serious highlights. I thought they were on the verge of something grand. Listening to "Another Christmas Failure", I'd have to say its still a work in progress.
"Another Christmas Failure" opens with a rock arrangement of "Away In A Manger" and I thought that was a mistake. Your first song needs to set the tone for the rest of the record. It didn't. Even though I liked the arrangement, it sounded unfinished and I think you needed better ears on the sound/mixing board. "Christmas Waltz" has some genuine charm but, following "Away In A Manger", all that is lost. The original "Fever Wreath", "In The Bleak Midwinter", and "Snow" were more what I was hoping to hear from Winter Failure; those were on a par with last year's record.
"Fairytale Of New York"? What were you thinking? Nope. Nope. Not having it.
And then..."This Is Christmas". From the ridiculous to the sublime. Aw, man, you see that? You guys are capable of absolute beauty and brilliance like that--the rival of any of the Alt Folk/Indie Folk Rock bands out there. And then you throw "Fairytale of New York" at me? And I did enjoy the closing medley (well done and a nice closer).
All sins are forgiven, thanks to "This Is Christmas". I would tell people to download it for that magical moment. Heck, I'd pay for that one (which folks can do now that The Winter Failure is on iTunes and Amazon). More like that, please. And, honestly, I can even understand "Fairytale of New York" (if I squint real hard). But set yourself up for success. If it were me, I'd have opened with "Fever Wreath" followed by "In The Bleak Midwinter" and then "This Is Christmas". A stage gig would be totally different but, for the record, that's how I'd have gone.
"Another Christmas Failure" is available as a free download from Noisetrade. If you didn't last year, grab "Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning" while you're over there.
 | 1. Away In A Manger 2. Christmas Waltz 3. Fever Wreath 4. In The Bleak Midwinter 5. Fairytale Of New York 6. Snow 7. This Is Christmas 8. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring 9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day 10. White Christmas Medley (Live) THE WINTER FAILURE ON FACEBOOK |
RSS Feed
