PARENTAL ADVISORY: contains one instance of the "S" word.
One nice thing about having a Christmas music blog is that some folks loop you in when they find something really, really good. So, not long ago, Robert Voogt dropped me a line about a couple of vinyl Christmas tunes he'd only found after Christmas. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Robert is the man behind the Snowflakes singles that we here at Stubby's have absolutely loved to death for the past three years. In years past, I've found some of the best stuff after Christmas, but I was worn down by the end of 2015 and, frankly, I didn't want to listen to music of any kind for awhile. In fact, I approached Robert's finds determined to hate them (I know, its really sad that I would take out my personal issues on someone's Christmas music). But I loved them instantly. And I suspect you will, too, if you hadn't already learned of them elsewhere (which you very well may have).
First up, the Pink Tiles. Up above is the "A" side of the 7"--"Alone Again At Christmas Time". The Pink Tiles are an Australian band that reviewers have attached the term "Bubblegum" to. Me, personally, I love Bubblegum music but, in this case, I think that's overly simplistic and a tad dismissive. This song in particular is an homage to a bunch of vintage styles. Yeah, it's got a taste of Bubblegum, but it's also classic Girl Group and Garage Rock, all seasoned nicely with a dash of Psych. It's a great song that combines the best of 60s Pop Rock with the best of early Indie.
As good as "Alone Again At Christmas Time" is, I think the flip is even better. I'd call "Independence Days" Pop Punk Psych and I'd say it combines the best of sixties Psych with the best of pre-Egyptian Bangles, layered with the sweet delicious frosting of a driving Ramones type beat. Thematically, both tunes are squarely in the anti-Christmas category with the protagonist dealing with the "Christmas really sucks when you're alone" syndrome. If you want the limited edition vinyl 7", it's gonna be a little more than you'd like. The record, itself, isn't bad (once you've done the conversion), but the postage from Australia to the U.S. is more than I'd like. Personally, I think it's well worth it. After conversion, the total came to $16.11 with shipping. But you can always get the digital download and that won't set you back. Either way, do your ordering through Bandcamp.
First up, the Pink Tiles. Up above is the "A" side of the 7"--"Alone Again At Christmas Time". The Pink Tiles are an Australian band that reviewers have attached the term "Bubblegum" to. Me, personally, I love Bubblegum music but, in this case, I think that's overly simplistic and a tad dismissive. This song in particular is an homage to a bunch of vintage styles. Yeah, it's got a taste of Bubblegum, but it's also classic Girl Group and Garage Rock, all seasoned nicely with a dash of Psych. It's a great song that combines the best of 60s Pop Rock with the best of early Indie.
As good as "Alone Again At Christmas Time" is, I think the flip is even better. I'd call "Independence Days" Pop Punk Psych and I'd say it combines the best of sixties Psych with the best of pre-Egyptian Bangles, layered with the sweet delicious frosting of a driving Ramones type beat. Thematically, both tunes are squarely in the anti-Christmas category with the protagonist dealing with the "Christmas really sucks when you're alone" syndrome. If you want the limited edition vinyl 7", it's gonna be a little more than you'd like. The record, itself, isn't bad (once you've done the conversion), but the postage from Australia to the U.S. is more than I'd like. Personally, I think it's well worth it. After conversion, the total came to $16.11 with shipping. But you can always get the digital download and that won't set you back. Either way, do your ordering through Bandcamp.
There are four songs on the Broken Circles "sampler" split 7", "Everything Melts Eventually, Vol. 1". And I can say that they instantly took me back to 1986 when I was groovin' on the New Wave sounds of Black and O-Positive, to name just two. These are winter themed tracks and, once again, in the anti-Christmas category. I found "Flake" by Bandit to be my personal favorite, but all four songs are superb. Bandit is a three piece Indie Rock band from Nashville and "Flake" is very atmospheric and lyrically delicious. "You fall like failure. You fall like failure. Christmas is the hardest time of year." Love it!
Georgia Dream Pop band Triathalon, another three piece, picks up where Bandit left off, with snow falling on the ground. "On The Sofa" gets as deep as the snow (if the snow gets deep), attempting to chide the apathetic into motion. For God's sake, man, get up off the damn couch and do something. "Dog Days" comes from South Carolina's Ivadell and it's a bit of a post-punk, post-rock, post-Indie, post-apocalypse, post everything, very nearly post-Jazz track. Very popular among some reviewers I've since read. Slow & Steady close the record with what might be the most radio friendly song, here. The Nashville based Indie Rock band originated in Austin, Texas, apparently (so I'm going to ask again: is there anyone in Austin whose "job" isn't making music?). "Your Cold Heart" is an appropriate year ender of a song. This 7" from the New York based label is limited to 500 copies of "randomly colored" vinyl (which strikes me as very cool) and it'll run you $6 plus $3 shipping--or at least that's what it cost me. You can find the digital version on Bandcamp and you can get either the digital or 7" vinyl direct from Broken Circles.
Georgia Dream Pop band Triathalon, another three piece, picks up where Bandit left off, with snow falling on the ground. "On The Sofa" gets as deep as the snow (if the snow gets deep), attempting to chide the apathetic into motion. For God's sake, man, get up off the damn couch and do something. "Dog Days" comes from South Carolina's Ivadell and it's a bit of a post-punk, post-rock, post-Indie, post-apocalypse, post everything, very nearly post-Jazz track. Very popular among some reviewers I've since read. Slow & Steady close the record with what might be the most radio friendly song, here. The Nashville based Indie Rock band originated in Austin, Texas, apparently (so I'm going to ask again: is there anyone in Austin whose "job" isn't making music?). "Your Cold Heart" is an appropriate year ender of a song. This 7" from the New York based label is limited to 500 copies of "randomly colored" vinyl (which strikes me as very cool) and it'll run you $6 plus $3 shipping--or at least that's what it cost me. You can find the digital version on Bandcamp and you can get either the digital or 7" vinyl direct from Broken Circles.
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