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RKVC - YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT

11/12/2014

The Delaware duo known as RKVC specialize in Self Deprecating romantic Pop Rock--meaning Pop Rock songs about relationships that don't quite get the happy ending (or at least that's the vibe I'm getting). Rod Kim and Vince Cirino teamed up just two years ago and won over many a heart with their first two albums, "We Got Tonight" and "The Good Life". On "Christmas", the two breathe new life into traditional carols like "O Holy Night" and transform "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" into a holiday mash-up. But it's their originals that make their "Christmas" CD one worth checking out. "The Good Life (Christmas version)" is exactly what it sounds like--a Christmas rewrite of one of their best and most popular songs. "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" is an ode to "A Christmas Story", obviously (not the first and most certainly not the last). And "12 Days of Ex-mas" has enough humor about broken relationships in it (complete with modern social networking insanity like texting and status updates) that its bound to take its rightful and permanent place along 12 Days sendups from Bob Rivers, Bob & Doug McKenzie, and Sascha Burland & The Skipjack Choir.

Amazon carries the digital version of "Christmas", while hard copy CDs can be had at CD Baby or direct from RKVC.

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TARGET-ED UPDATE

11/11/2014

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Took a quick run to Target, Tuesday. Little known fact: Target has the best generic grease resistant paper plates in my area, right now. Anyway, I gravitated over to the music section and found a few exclusives I didn't know about.

First, there's the album that bears the name and image of Ellen Degeneres. I've known about that one and its been on the List, but its basically a compilation of stuff most visitors here would already have. Older tracks from Stevie Wonder and the Ronettes. Newer stuff from Lady Gaga and Coldplay. In fact, the most notable thing about the album is the terrific joke of the title: "Ellen's The Only Holiday Album You'll Ever Need.........Volume 1". That's a good giggle, but that's about all.

The biggie, I think was "Christmas With Nashville". We reported on that project a long, long time ago. I had wondered what became of it and people on the TV show's Fan forums thought I made the whole thing up. Eventually, Amazon had a listing for an Import and, more recently, the digital download. But I was scratching my head over the domestic CD version. Mystery solved; the hard copy CD is a Target exclusive. The track order is different than that we originally reported, but, otherwise, it is what we thought it was. Pick up "Christmas With Nashville" in store or online.

It was also a bit of a surprise to see the Vamps debut album in a Deluxe version. Once again, it was a very long time ago we reported that The Vamps had recorded several Christmas songs. At the time, at least, the songs were only available digitally and in Great Britain. As "Meet The Vamps" is finally getting its stateside release (and here it is Christmas time), Target scored an exclusive coup (of sorts). The Target version of "Meet The Vamps" includes 3 of the new Vamps holiday tunes, "Jingle Bells", "Hoping For Snow" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". Typical Boy Band mayhem ensues.

Target also has an exclusive version of the Dave Koz holiday record, "The 25th of December" with 2 bonus tracks, but my Target didn't have that one. And I see there's a Deluxe version of Frank Sinatra's "A Jolly Christmas" which includes a bonus DVD of the infamous Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra Christmas special, but I'm not sure if that's new at Target or a carry over from past years. In any case, we will update our List accordingly with all these exclusives. We now return you to The Holiday Season, already in progress.

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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING.......COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

11/11/2014

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OK, so, I realize that Christmas music isn't all tinsel and mistletoe. Sure, we're all looking for that next "White Christmas", that next Phil Spector "Christmas Gift" album, or even that next "Silent Night" by the Dickies. On some level, we all hope to uncover a Christmas record that will stick with us (and our friends and family) for decades to come. This is the ground nearly all of us trod every year. Whether its Idina Menzel or Seth MacFarlane or Mark Kozelek. But part of my job, here, is to steer you to that record that's far, far, far off the beaten path. Something your 24 hour Christmas music station is probably never going to play in a hundred years. A little something unique to make your holiday mixes sparkle. Something to make your listeners sit up, smile, and say (a la Steve Martin on SNL), "What the hell is that?" As it happens, we've got just the thing....or....things.

"Yule Analog, Vol. 1" comes to us from Brooklyn's Super Hi-Fi and features holiday favorites done Reggae Dub style. Yeah, mon! In addition to the horn and riddim rich beats, the tracks are simply drenched in a thick soup of reverb and analog tape delays. The band says the idea started out as a joke, but they soon discovered what many of us have known for decades--Christmas music features some of the best melodies ever written. Highlights on this instrumental offering include the trippy echoes of "We Three Kings", the soaring guitar solos of "Little Drummer Boy" and the genius of the album's one original, "Yule Analog", which is the group's majestic gift to Yule Log watchers. Hard copy CDs are expected November 25, but you can get your dub step on right now with a digital download via CD Baby.

When I grew up, most television stations signed off at one or two in the morning (yes, I'm that old). But there was always that one channel that ran "The Late Show". And then "The Late Late Show". And maybe even "The Late Late Late Show". Late night movies were a staple of my youth. And that's where you'd find, among other things, poorly dubbed Italian movies--mostly comedies. Though the dialog was dubbed, the soundtrack was intact. And that was the reason you watched.

There was just something super groovy about Italian soundtracks. They were magical and whimsical. Think of "The Now Sound" with a sense of self irony and an international twist.

A group of artists (in assorted fields) got together and decided to record a Christmas album true to those Italian soundtracks of the 60s and 70s, "Molto Groovy Christmas". "Molto Groovy Christmas" is sheer genius and you're bound to find something for your holiday mixtape that will make all your family and friends sit up and smile. "Molto Groovy Christmas" arrives November 28...on CD AND vinyl (and digital download, of course).

I'm not going to say anything more just now because I'm hoping to give you a full review in the not too distant future. But, unless you grew up on Italian movies, you wouldn't understand, anyway, without hearing for yourselves. So go now and sample "Molto Groovy Christmas". You'll be glad you did.

If you're a genre hopper (and you know who you are), you're going to love Vinnie Zummo's latest, "A Retro Cool Mixed Bag Christmas". It's kind of like taking all your vintage Christmas albums and giving them a generous shuffle. Vinnie's played with just about everybody, but he's best known as Joe Jackson's guitar slinger. Want a little 50s style rock? Yeah, Vinnie's got that. A Patsy Cline-ish rendition of "Blue Christmas"? It's in there. Something Big Band to remind you of Billy May? Sure thing. A little Venture's style surf rock? Order's up for table five. There's even a Zydeco rendition of "All Through The Night"--likely for the first time ever--and it is Super Retro Cool (cause, you know, you never hear that song played any way but Folk). Vinnie is joined by wife Janice on the vocal tracks. The arrangements are awesome, the recording has that "you are there" fifties crispness. And the guitar playing is outta site. And, yes, there are some original tunes here as well.

Hard copy CDs are on the way, but may not arrive at online retailers until mid-December. You can likely get it sooner if you pre-order direct from Vinnie (email him at vazmusic @aol.com for details). Digital downloads of "A Retro Cool Mixed Bag Christmas" are currently available from CD Baby.

What do you get when you cross Big Band music with cartoon sensibilities? As it turns out, you get a pretty amazing album. Fully adult, but high energy with a sense of whimsy. David Ricard has been Emmy nominated for music he composed for Tom & Jerry, The Pink Panther and other such cartoons. The arrangements are amazing and the playing is magnificent. Ricard's playfulness is evident throughout "Holidays With A Bang"--from "The Merry Mash-up", featuring virtually ever public domain Christmas song in existence, to the fun lyrical rewrite of "Auld Lang Syne" as "We'll Wrap It Up On New Year's Eve". This is the kind of stuff people comb used record stores looking for.

In fact, this is such a super Big Band record, it wouldn't even be in this post of "off the beaten path" selections for your mixtapes if not for one standout track...."God Rest Ye Merry Surfers". "God Rest Ye Merry Surfers" is the successful collision of Big Band, Surf, cartoons...and The Munsters. Even if the rest of the album sucked, that track alone is worth it. And, please note, "Holidays With A Bang" by the David Ricard Big Band does not suck.

Hard copy CDs are available direct from David Ricard and the digital downloads can be had at Amazon or CD Baby.

Now for something.....completely....different. An experimental artist who goes by the name of Poundskin has released (frankly, I think it escaped) an album for the holidays, "Past Christmases Were Once The Present". I have to admit.......I don't get it. Then again, I didn't get the movie "Eraserhead", either, and lots of people thought that was genius. Every once in a while, on Poundskin's album, there seemed to be something going on and then....just....not. Not for me, anyway. If I had to name a favorite, I'd go with the title track. But that was over 11 minutes long and I bailed about a third of the way through. But, hey, maybe you've got a spot for noise and chaos in your Christmas heart. And Poundskin's "Past Christmases Were Once The Present" is free. So its got that goin' for it. Which is nice. And it is.....something....completely....different.

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A WILD WINTER FROM SMOKE FAIRIES !!!!

11/9/2014

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This weekend's just getting better and better!

Smoke Fairies, the brilliant Alt Folk Rock/Dream Pop duo just dropped The Bomb! After their awesome Snowflakes Christmas single from last year (sold out), they're back this December with an entire Christmas/Winter album! This ain't no idealized holly jolly affair either. It'll be a bittersweet and wild ride--just like the real thing. "Wild Winter" features 10 new Smoke Fairies recordings. No track list as yet, but they promise us, "It’s buzzy and raw and not one tinkling of sleigh bells can be heard."

"Wild Winter" is being sold exclusively through the UK's Rough Trade. So expect to pay import shipping. It will be available in both CD (limited to 1500 copies) and LP vinyl (limited to 1000 copies) formats. Official release is December 8.

Now excuse me while I listen to Smoke Fairies sing "Christmas Without A Kiss" a couple hundred more times.

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A LOS CAMPESINOS! CHRISTMAS !!!!

11/9/2014

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Best news in weeks!

Yes! It's Los Campesinos! With a 6 song 12" vinyl Christmas record! "A Los Campesinos! Christmas" features their earlier holiday singles (the bloody brilliant "A Doe To A Deer", the beautiful "The Holly & The Ivy" and, of course, "Kindle A Flame In Her Heart") and three (what I assume are) all new Christmas recordings, one of which is a cover of Mud's "Lonely This Christmas".

Along with The Killers, Los Campesinos! are rewriting the definition of "classic Christmas music" (and I mean that in the best possible way). The 12" drops overseas on November 17. Sadly, we'll have to wait until December 9 in the states. I'm guessing the record will also be available digitally.

Thank you, Los Campesinos! We truly needed this kind of good news this year. Oh, man, it feels like Christmas!

Side A:
1. When Christmas Comes
2. A Doe To A Deer
3. The Holly & The Ivy
Side B:
4. Kindle A Flame In Her Heart
5. The Trains Don't Run (It's Christmas Day)
6. Lonely This Christmas

LOS CAMPESINOS WEBSITE
PRE-ORDER THROUGH AMAZON

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SON OF SINGLES DAY

11/7/2014

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I could say this is a pretty good Christmas single, but that would be a cheap shot and lazy of me. This is actually an exceptional Christmas single, though odds are good readers of Stubby's are already well familiar with it. "A Pretty Good Christmas" was originally released in 2011 and, even with the slow curve recognition of many Indie efforts, I know full well that the song was big on the Christmas music blog circuit last year (following its re-recording and release on the album "Polar Ships"). I mean, honestly, who could resist a band called the Disappointment Choir.

"A Pretty Good Christmas" was the song that first launched the Disappointment Choir. And its a great song that everyone hasn't yet been hipped to. So I'm completely on board with a remastered version being released December 1 with a sparkly new video. The theme of the track isn't as commonly sung as others but its probably a more frequent reality in the world at large than fat men with flying reindeer. "I've lost my job and you're working harder than ever," the song begins and, instantly, I'm hooked. Life ain't easy, someone once said, and there's scarcely a Christmas in my adult life that I can remember where everything was going perfectly. Its never all "nice and rosey and comfy cozy," is it? We don't often get the Martha Stewart fantasy holiday. But we can still have a pretty good Christmas, in spite of anything and everything else. And that's not a bad thing at all. More often than we'd like to admit, Christmas is our little island oasis in the midst of a sea of troubles, our sunny day in the middle of a cold and dark winter. That makes it more, not less. "We'll sing together and we'll dance together." A pretty good deal, all things considered. I don't honestly know if that's the song's intent, but that's what I get out of it.

The Disappointment Choir have set up a website for the relaunch of "A Pretty Good Christmas" to help you count down the days. And you can always find them at their own web site or on Facebook. And, ooh, ooh, ooh, there's a club remix that you can download free right now. How cool is that?

America's Got Talent is another one of those TV talent shows I have no desire to ever watch. That said, my personal boycott of such shows should not be taken to suggest that America doesn't have talent. Case in point is Emily West, a finalist in AGT's 9th season. Emily's releases, to date, have bounced around genres enough to make you dizzy (not to mention impressed). But it is looking more and more like the Country market is tops on the adoption list. Emily's aluring and wistful voice should serve her well with that audience.

With her full-length debut expected early next year, Emily is putting out a single in December of "Chandelier", a hit for Sia but also one of Emily's most popular offerings during her AGT run.

Of interest to us, however, is the flip (do digital singles actually have a "flip"?) "Chandelier" will be paired with "Santa Baby". There's no shortage of "Santa Baby" covers but I am intrigued to hear if she'll bring something new or unique to the tune. And I really can't kick since Emily last year released an EP of Christmas songs recorded with K.S. Rhoads. On "North Star", Emily absolutely knocked it out of the park. Her voice just naturally has that simultaneous joy and longing (with a dash of wonder and awe) that makes for the best Christmas music.

I'll keep an open mind on "Santa Baby", but I can recommend "North Star" wholeheartedly. Check it out at Amazon mp3.

I must be getting old because I find myself getting nostalgic for Disco, which I didn't even think was possible. I mean, honestly, I still haven't forgiven Disco for killing WABC. And yet...

Raquela is, to quote, an "international recording artist, 5 time Billboard charting Diva, N.A.R.A.S voting Grammy member, former Miss Orange County (Miss America Organization), 12 time 'Best Actress' Off Broadway/Regional/Stock (NYC), Obie Nominated 'Best Electronica Musical' and overall superstar". She's also a Disco Diva, by her own admission. And she's just recorded a cover of the too seldom covered Weather Girls classic, "Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man)". Not sure what I expected, but she really done it good. Lots of energy, great vocals, driving beat, faithful to the original. It's like way decent and totally bitchin', yo.

Best of all, it's free! I know the Free Page is dying of neglect these days (don't worry; we'll fix that soon enough), but I wanted this one right up front where you'd see it. For a limited time, you can grab not one, not two, but THREE different mixes of this most excellent boogie down beat. Like totally free. The Radio Mix is here and the Club Mixes are here and here (one has dialog and one doesn't). Shake your groove thing (yeah yeah) and don't forget to visit Raquela on Facebook and say thanks.

Speaking of nostalgia... Anybody out there remember Paper Lace? You know, "The Night Chicago Died"? That Paper Lace? Well Paper Lace has a Christmas single coming out soon. Release date for "Get Up! Get Out Of Your Lazy Beds (It's Christmas Time Again)" in the UK is November 10, but it looks like it arrives stateside on the 28th.

One thing. There are at least two bands using the Paper Lace name these days. There's these guys. And then there's these guys. In this country, we actually have laws about that sort of thing (thanks to Bowser from Sha Na Na). In England, I'm guessing not so much. Sounds to me like the first bunch of blokes--the original Paper Lace--but I've got no way of knowing for sure.

Country star Lucy Hale's Christmas single released October 21. "Mistletoe" is bright and bouncy and Lucy's star just keeps ascending higher and higher. She's riding the wave of her smash summer album "Road Between" and "Mistletoe" won't do anything to diminish her popularity. You can hear Lucy's Christmas song here and purchase it through Amazon (or wherever fine digital downloads are sold). Lucy's also an actress, of course, but I'm more interested in the music.

Maybe it's just me, but it definitely seems like this year's crop of Christmas singles are more insipid than usual. That's one of the reasons it takes so long to do these singles posts because I only want to steer you to stuff that has at least some redeeming value.

So it was so completely satisfying to come across this little gem from the Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra tucked in with all the mindless crap and karaoke Christmas tracks populating the digital singles section at Amazon.

McDonald is a solid Jazz arranger and performer who struck gold earlier this year with an album of spirituals done up Big Band Jazz style, "No Pews Required". No doubt Chris has genuine faith to draw upon, but that release was purely seated in the church of JAZZ.

Featuring the East Side Singers, "Snowed In For Christmas" will tug at the nostalgic heartstrings of the most jaded Grinch or Scrooge. It's shrouded in the kind of magic of fifties Christmas tuneage, a sprig of mistletoe, a light jazz touch, and those tight and beautiful harmonies. I know a good part of our readership comes here for the unusual--the rock, the blues, the bluegrass, the general weirdness--that other Christmas music sites frequently eschew. But, dag, son, no matter what your other tastes, finding a beautiful track like this one is like finding a bar of gold just lying in the street. You're not just going to leave it there, are you?

True enough, McDonald cut the tune a decade ago for "This Holiday Season". My ears ain't what they used to be but, though the arrangement is the same, I'd swear under oath this is a new recording of it. The differences are subtle, but, to me, the earlier version sounds a bit sharp. And, for a song like this, you want a more muted approach. Ah, who cares? I missed it in 2004 and its gorgeous. Hurry on over to Amazon (or any of the on-line retailers) and grab "Snowed In For Christmas" for your personal romantic fireside Christmas soundtrack. Guaranteed cuddle worthy.

What's Christmas without a Super Group charity effort of some sort? It's been 30 years since Bob Geldof and a heavenly choir of big name artists known as Band Aid launched "Do They Know It's Christmas". Discussing that fact not long ago, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra and songwriter/producer Sam Hollander (who has written for everyone from Carole King to All Time Low) decided that the time was right for another holiday Super Group effort--this one to benefit MusiCares, a charity that helps musicians facing medical or financial crises. Thus was born the Band of Merrymakers. The Band of Merrymakers is envisioned as more than a one-off, but with a rotating cast.

For their 2014 Christmas single, "Must Be Christmas", the group includes Griffin, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, the Mowgli's, Fitz of Fitz & The Tantrums, Nick Hexum of 311, Sinclair, The Honeymoons, Smallpools, and 3OH!3.

"Must Be Christmas" drops November 17. Stay up to date at http://www.bandofmerrymakers.com/.

LITTLE ANTHONY

Time for the lightning round.

Believe it or not, there are rumors that Bob Geldolf is actively recruiting a roster of music superstars to re-record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" This time, the money raised would go to aid the people in the Ebola infected nations of Africa. This would be at least the fourth version of the song. I think I speak for everyone here when I say, Bob, if you're going to do this, at least write a new song. 'K?

Ariana Grande has a new Christmas single coming this year. No details, yet, but she says, "It's sort of about being fed up with Santa because he doesn't pull through all the time." Ariana, of course, released an EP last holiday, "Christmas Kisses".

More nostalgia as Little Anthony (of Little Anthony and The Imperials) has recorded his first Christmas song ever. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is currently expected to drop November 10 but, as yet, there's no sample available for preview. A new Little Anthony album is expected in 2015.

Bluegrass/Country artist Luanne Hunt has a new Christmas single out. I first became acquainted with Luanne when she released "How Christmas Feels To Me", which included a Christmas song that had been written for Patsy Cline. Patsy's label, however, didn't want her recording Christmas songs, so they had the writers pen a new set of lyrics. Luanne was the first ever to record the song as originally written. Pretty cool stuff. Anyway, Luanne can be counted on to put out more Christmas songs, from time to time, and this year's effort is "The Hosts Of Christmas Past". Give it a spin at Amazon or CD Baby.

There are a couple of Punk Christmas singles out. Lust Control's "Chasing Mrs. Claus Around The North Pole" is on the Punk Pop end of the scale. Meanwhile, the UK outfit, Hard Left, has a more Old School Punk single out, "Skinheads Home For Christmas". The later is going to be out on red vinyl December 8 (backed with a cover of the Bay City Rollers' "Yesterdays Hero"). Order the single and you'll get the instant download or, if vinyl ain't your bag, you can just download the Christmas song now via Bandcamp.

Fans of Pentatonix and Straight No Chaser may enjoy "Fa La La" by Gentleman's Rule. You'll find that one at CD Baby.

We finally got around to putting all the Black Friday holiday vinyl on our List. Among the highlights is the first ever vinyl 45 of Miles Davis & Bob Durrough's "Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)". The 1962 track comes on blue vinyl (natch) and comes with a nice picture sleeve. They're pressing 5000 of them--big number for a Record Store Day release--but lots of folks are going to want this 45 for their collections.

Let's wrap this puppy up and get it posted.

The new Christmas album from Road 23 comes out tomorrow. Road 23 is a CCM band from Kansas and they manage to make things interesting by incorporating lots of different styles. You can get the download version of "If I Was There" via Amazon and the band has hard copy CDs (very reasonably priced) at their web site.

The title track is a pretty song and its also the lead single. Here 'tis.

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CARLY JAMISON - IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERY SINGLE DAY

11/5/2014

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A while back, we reported that roots rocker Carly Jamison was working on a Christmas EP. And she still might be. But this week saw the release of her Christmas single "It Feels Like Christmas Every Single Day". I've got a full singles post coming soon (probably tomorrow--they always take longer than you'd think), but I just thought Carly knocked it out of the park with this one. It's especially cool to have heard the raw demo from last year (still free, btw) and to now hear it fully realized. Kudos to the band--Chris Tench on guitar, Tres Sasser on bass, and Nate Moran on percussion. One thing, though, Carly. Your Santa needs to eat a few more cookies; he's looking mighty thin. Pick this up at Amazon, iTunes, or Bandcamp. I'm not a Spotify dude, but its up there as well.

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ROUGH SHOP - LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE (REVIEW)

11/3/2014

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1. Christmas Isn't Like Any Day
2. Gimme That Twine!
3. I Wish You A Merry Christmas
4. Christmas Time (Come On Over)
5. A Christmas Snowfall
6. Purple Snowflakes
7. Santa, What You Got In The Bag?
8. Snowbound Girl
9. Christmas At The Super 8
10. Sick Again
11. Soul Of Christmas
12. North St. Grande
13. Merry Christmas Everyone

ROUGH SHOP WEB SITE
BANDCAMP
CD BABY
AMAZON MP3

One of our earliest reviews (back when we had time to do reviews) was of a Christmas album from the St. Louis outfit known as Rough Shop. "Just Because Its Christmas" was an uncommonly good Christmas album that spoke as much to the bleak nature of the season as to its joy (or at least that's what I said then). It was a heartland working man's Christmas, I felt.

Rough Shop recently unveiled their second Christmas set, "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree". And, for this one, the Indie Folk Rock group seems more in touch with their inner elves.

Rough Shop is known for putting on annual holiday extravaganzas in the St. Louis area and, for "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree", they've captured a more celebratory spirit but still manage to weave through the full emotional pallet of the season--"wonder, loneliness, joy, sadness, celebration, longing, family, helplessness and beauty." The record is comprised of mostly original tunes with a handful of "uncommon covers".

Setting the tone for this set, Rough Shop opens the disc with "Christmas Isn't Like Any Day", an adult look at those nostalgic memories of Christmases when we were young. This is the stuff of Christmas classics--the perfect blending of longing and hopefulness--the perfect paean to the season. And it doesn't just capture that essence lyrically; if there weren't a word sung, the music itself conveys the sentiments perfectly.

Rough Shop quickly moves into seasonal frivolity with the uptempo "Gimme That Twine", a fun reworking of the Lambert, Hendricks and Ross song "Gimme That Wine" easily worthy of the Christmas Jug Band. Maintaining the spirit of holiday celebration, "I Wish You A Merry Christmas" is the rockin' rewrite of the Christmas chestnut done up with echoes of "Mockingbird" originally sung by Little Eva and Big Dee Irwin (written by Goffin/King).

Musically, "Christmas Time (Come On Over)" perfectly blends Americana and Classic Rock (with the very slightest touch of psych). And the oft repeated "it's time for fun" sounds as much a longing plea as an invitation. Wonderful stuff; I know that feeling precisely and the song inspires it with amazing ease.

"A Christmas Snowfall", a bittersweet ballad, juxtaposes the bleakness of mid-winter with the awe and wonder of the savior's birth as if to say, if Christmas didn't exist, we'd have to invent it.

It isn't often Marvin Gaye's "Purple Snowflakes" is covered and for good reason. How ya gonna top Marvin? But Rough Shop's soulful Americana on the song manages to find every bit of beauty in it and then some. Marvin would love it and you will, too.

"Santa, What You Got In The Bag?" is another mid to uptempo effort--a bit of jazz infused Folk Pop that you could hear, again, fitting into the Christmas Jug Band playlist. It's nice enough and reminiscent of an earlier era of Christmas music. It's not my favorite from the set, though I suspect others will like it more.

No, "Snowbound Girl" is why I came. "Snowbound Girl" is Rough Shop at their best, building from a barren Americana portrait to a full Gospel Rock revival of spirit. From the opening line--"when the holidays are crashing all around you"--you know you're in the presence of lyrical genius. "Take some comfort in knowing that you're not the only one who ever feels this way, Snowbound Girl". Just brilliant!

If you're anything like me, you were hooked on this album long ago, but Rough Shop then finds my musical G-Spot with "Christmas At The Super 8"--a clever holiday vignette musically worthy of the Eagles or Springsteen.

And, wow, "Sick Again". Just wow. Talk about a unique Christmas song. This, again, is where Rough Shop excels--getting inside the mind of someone whose Christmas point of view isn't often reflected in Christmas song. It's brief but powerful.

Just when you thought you couldn't love this album any more, along comes "Soul Of Christmas", the kind of Christmas song Steely Dan should have done a long time ago.

The final cover song on "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" is "North St. Grande" (originally by the British group Stackridge) and it definitely has that British Folk Rock pub song feel.

"Merry Christmas Everyone" is pure Rough Shop--vivid lyrics and beautiful melody--and closes the album just like it should be closed. Feels very much like closing the cover of a good book. Finding warmth in the cold. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Rough Shop's first Christmas album, "Just Because Its Christmas", was a solid effort but required a certain mood to fully appreciate. "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" is damn near perfect and should be easily enjoyed by just about anyone at just about any time. It's an instant classic and easily the best Christmas album I've heard so far this year. For all its highlights, its ultimately the opening number, "Christmas Isn't Like Any Day" that most sticks with me. Both lyrically and musically, that one song sums up the emotional totality of the season for me as well as probably any song since "I'll Be Home For Christmas".

According to the band's website, "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" was produced in limited numbers in both CD and vinyl formats. I haven't seen the vinyl available anywhere. Its possible its available only in the St. Louis area, or maybe it hasn't come from the pressing plant yet. Or maybe it sold out while we were all taking our long summer's naps. But the CD is available through CD Baby and the download version is at all the usual spots and Bandcamp. You'll also find two of the songs available as free downloads. But do pick this one up. Whatever your genre preference, I think you're going to find Rough Shop's "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" will be an album you'll look forward to playing every Christmas. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 20.

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Forward>>

RKVC - YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT

TARGET-ED UPDATE

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING.......COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

A WILD WINTER FROM SMOKE FAIRIES !!!!

A LOS CAMPESINOS! CHRISTMAS !!!!

SON OF SINGLES DAY

CARLY JAMISON - IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERY SINGLE DAY

ROUGH SHOP - LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE (REVIEW)

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