2. Frosty the Snowman
3. Sleigh Ride
4. God Rest Ye’ Merry Gentlemen
5. Jingle Bells
6. Oh Holy Night
7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
8. Sleddin’ Hill
9. Little Drummer Boy
10. Winter Wonderland
11. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
12. Carol of the Bells (2012)
13. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Christian Metal band August Burns Red has released the full details of their Christmas album, due out October 9. "August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill, A Holiday Album" will feature 13 tracks in all including the original songs "Flurries" and "Sleddin' Hill". The band's previous Christmas hits are here, remixed and remastered, and there are plenty of new takes on old holiday classics--from "Frosty" and "Rudolph" on through to "Oh Holy Night".
Listening to ABR guitarist and principle songwriter J.B. Brubaker tell it, "Sleddin' Hill" may be an entirely instrumental outing. "Writing metal versions of Christmas songs has always been a challenge for me because the songs are driven by simple vocal melodies with the only variety in the lyrics. We decided to take the songs and go the instrumental route--the main melodies are there, but this record has a lot more to it then that." Brubaker says the songs on "Sleddin' Hill" are a lot more involved than your average cover, with melodies flowing in and out from the familiar to places you've never been before.
Brubaker says that working on the Christmas album gave him the opportunity to fully explore his musical influences, including the bands Beirut and Weezer, "and my punk roots are evident all over the album." What Brubaker did not want was a silly novelty album (as some Metal Christmas records have been). Brubaker believes that "Sleddin' Hill" is a solid record with plenty of ABR substance--enough "to interest even the biggest Scrooges out there."
The listing for "Santa's Still Got Mojo" (that's the title as listed on the Electro-Fi web site) at Amazon now includes some guidance on the artist lineup for the set. 11 tracks long, the CD is expected to feature Shakura S'Aida, Finis Tasby with Enrico Crivellaro, Paul Oscher, Harrison Kennedy, Fathead, Fruteland Jackson, and Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley. Additionally, the set will include a performance of "Merry Christmas Baby" from the late Mel Brown with The Homewreckers recorded in 1999. Brown died in 2009 at the age of 69.
We've also got the cover art, now, for the Very Special Christmas albums, as well as a list of the artists who've agreed to contribute. So let's just get right to it.
Christina Aguilera
Francesca Battistelli
Michael Bublé
Cheap Trick
Vince Gill & Amy Grant
Dave Matthews
Jason Mraz
One Republic
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Train--"Joy To The World"
Wonder Girls (Korean girl group)
Meredith Andrews
Chris August
Francesca Battistelli
Big Daddy Weave
Jason Castro
Group 1 Crew
for KING & COUNTRY
Dara Maclean
Jamie Grace
Natalie Grant
Sidewalk Prophets
It must've gone real well, though, and raised a lot of money, because they're going to do another volume this year (and it looks like they're hoping this will be an annual thing) and they're hoping to double or even triple the amount raised last year. If you happen to be an Austin area musician, you've got until August 31st to get your submission in. The rest of us will just have to wait for the finished product. Figure upon a November or December release.
Speaking of stuff we missed last year, we missed a nice little Americana/Bluegrass EP from the Alabama quartet Act Of Congress. And you know I feel almost as bad about that as I would if we'd missed a Christmas Blues CD. "Christmas Volume 1" is only 4 songs long, but its really tasty stuff... good enough that it's well worth calling it to your attention now, even if I'm nearly a year late. What's cool about Act Of Congress is that they clearly have no fear of brining all their influences to the table--including jazz, rock and classical. Very cool group with a free Noisetrade set (not Christmas) currently available and a new live set due out August 10.
I don't know if you've had a chance to poke around here much this year, but the Free List is active once again (with last year's banished to the archives). Not a lot there, yet, and certainly more to come.
Our latest Free List entry comes from a pair of Florida musicians who, together, are The Words Repeat. TWR will be putting out a full Christmas album this November as their debut set. They've recently posted two "pre release" recordings for your enjoyment and possibly a little feedback. One of the tracks is rather Ambient while the other is heavy Heavy Metal. Intrigued? You should be. Just head over to the Free List for more details.