Back when I started hunting for and collecting Christmas music in the early seventies, I figured that was a good thing to collect because, at that time, there weren't too many people putting out Christmas music. In relative terms, it felt like a finite universe...a niche that, in theory at least, you could someday have a "complete" collection. Well, that went out the window a long time ago. I woke up one day and my "finite universe" had become an infinite one. It's a double-edged sword, of course. Its great that there are always new Christmas music discoveries to be made. But, nowadays, the idea of a "complete" collection is laughable. Heck, these days, you couldn't possibly even be aware of it all, let alone "own" it all.
But you can never go wrong with FREE Christmas music. OK, maybe you can. But it doesn't cost you anything to give it a spin and, frankly, I think the best of the free have been better than the best of the purchased for several years running. (Hey, it's April. It may sound like I'm rambling, but I'm just trying to jump start my Christmas brain. OK, I'm rambling.)
Anyway....Wylder. Wylder are a relatively new Indie Folk Pop band from the Washington DC area. Although they've been gigging for a few years, their debut full-length "Rain and Laura" (which is really excellent, by the way) just came out about a week ago. On the first of last December, the group announced their arrival with this nifty three song holiday EP, "Wyld About Christmas". I totally missed it, of course, but at least there aren't any fines for being late to the party like there are for filing your taxes.
I've been in a mellow music head of late, so this hit my springtime Christmas music sweet spot. "Sleigh Ride" is jaunty enough, without being at all overbearing, but the other two tracks are simply golden. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" has a bit of that Santo & Johnny "Sleep Walk" feel to it. Its totally in the slow dance/make out vibe. If you've ever thought of putting together a Christmas mixtape for when your special honey comes over for some quality snuggle time at Christmas, I recommend Wylder's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" highly. And "Silver Bells"? That's a tune I've always thought a superfluous throwaway. But Wylder turns it into a nearly religious experience with musical echoes of John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkle, Owl City, and some of the best of Neon Philharmonic. OK, that might be a bit excessive--I mean its still "Silver Bells"--but I really dug the vibe.
And, best of all, "Wyld About Christmas" is free for the download at Bandcamp. You don't even have to give them your email address. Keep up with the group's latest doin's via Facebook.
But you can never go wrong with FREE Christmas music. OK, maybe you can. But it doesn't cost you anything to give it a spin and, frankly, I think the best of the free have been better than the best of the purchased for several years running. (Hey, it's April. It may sound like I'm rambling, but I'm just trying to jump start my Christmas brain. OK, I'm rambling.)
Anyway....Wylder. Wylder are a relatively new Indie Folk Pop band from the Washington DC area. Although they've been gigging for a few years, their debut full-length "Rain and Laura" (which is really excellent, by the way) just came out about a week ago. On the first of last December, the group announced their arrival with this nifty three song holiday EP, "Wyld About Christmas". I totally missed it, of course, but at least there aren't any fines for being late to the party like there are for filing your taxes.
I've been in a mellow music head of late, so this hit my springtime Christmas music sweet spot. "Sleigh Ride" is jaunty enough, without being at all overbearing, but the other two tracks are simply golden. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" has a bit of that Santo & Johnny "Sleep Walk" feel to it. Its totally in the slow dance/make out vibe. If you've ever thought of putting together a Christmas mixtape for when your special honey comes over for some quality snuggle time at Christmas, I recommend Wylder's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" highly. And "Silver Bells"? That's a tune I've always thought a superfluous throwaway. But Wylder turns it into a nearly religious experience with musical echoes of John Lennon, Simon & Garfunkle, Owl City, and some of the best of Neon Philharmonic. OK, that might be a bit excessive--I mean its still "Silver Bells"--but I really dug the vibe.
And, best of all, "Wyld About Christmas" is free for the download at Bandcamp. You don't even have to give them your email address. Keep up with the group's latest doin's via Facebook.
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