A quick reminder that "A Stubby's House Christmas 2018" is waiting for your download and will disappear forever on January 6. Read all about it just below this post. Had to mention it up top because this is going to be one of those really long posts. It's Boxing Day! I also want to add, at the outset, that this new computer likes to auto-correct spelling of words that are spelled correctly...like "uke" mysteriously becomes "use", and just forget about band names with clever spelling. So, if you see typos below, it ain't necessarily my fault.
In many parts of the world, the day after Christmas is a holiday, too. On the religious calendar, it's Saint Stephen's Day. In the UK and Canada, it's more popularly known as Boxing Day.
People disagree on the origins of Boxing Day. I tend to think of Good King Wenceslas packing up food and other items for the poor--people who have been blessed with much giving their excess to those who have nothing. However it's evolved, like everything else, into a bank holiday, a day of sales at the stores, and the day your postman and paperboy expect a tip.
Here, at Stubby's, Boxing Day is a day we unload a bunch of holiday music that was free to download, but that we never got to talk about before Christmas. Most years, I just list them off without comment. Not this year. And, most years, I've bookmarked stuff as the year went along. But what you will see below are almost entirely freebies that have been released in just the last few days. It's sick.
In many parts of the world, the day after Christmas is a holiday, too. On the religious calendar, it's Saint Stephen's Day. In the UK and Canada, it's more popularly known as Boxing Day.
People disagree on the origins of Boxing Day. I tend to think of Good King Wenceslas packing up food and other items for the poor--people who have been blessed with much giving their excess to those who have nothing. However it's evolved, like everything else, into a bank holiday, a day of sales at the stores, and the day your postman and paperboy expect a tip.
Here, at Stubby's, Boxing Day is a day we unload a bunch of holiday music that was free to download, but that we never got to talk about before Christmas. Most years, I just list them off without comment. Not this year. And, most years, I've bookmarked stuff as the year went along. But what you will see below are almost entirely freebies that have been released in just the last few days. It's sick.
The Brixton Riot's latest is out. Recorded for Jon Solomon's annual Christmas Eve/Day/Night marathon on WPRB-FM, this has become a tradition of long standing. The song debuts on Jon's show and then becomes available to the rest of us to download and enjoy. Well, it's officially after Christmas and here are The Brixton Riot with yet another brilliant Power Pop/Indie Rock Christmas classic, "100,000 Christmas Lights".
Joe Bonamassa has delivered his annual Christmas treat. The new Christmas song, this year, is an acoustic instrumental version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Considering Joe's usual rocking' Blues holiday tracks, it's a welcome change of pace. Joe's collection of Christmas Blues tunes now numbers 9 and you can get the entire "Rockin' Christmas Blues" collection by entering your email HERE. If you just want to grab the songs you don't already have, the email you get back from Joe will give you the chance to grab the songs a la carte, as well. Given that my computer just died and I haven't yet straightened out what was backed up and what wasn't, I grabbed the full album.
Bad Apple's Why They Came have continued their annual Christmas tradition with this year's Indie Rock cover of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree". These annual treat's range from one song to several, but they're always free (the exception being last year's fully produced Christmas album "A Stick Full of Bells", exclusively available from Bad Apple). Hunt around Bad Apple's music store to add the previous Why They Came Christmas offerings to your collection.
If you're tired of "Oh Christmas Tree" (and who isn't), we've got a new anthem for seasonal pine that's as sweet as maple syrup on snow. "Christmas Time's About The Trees" is a gentle waltz from Indie Folk artist Molly Murphy, who performs as A Million Creatures. Not sure who the male vocalist is on this song. "Balsam, Fraser, Douglas Fir/Give me your finest Pine Tree, sir". The simple use of the word "sir", aside from making the rhyme, gives the song a traditional feel without taking anything away from it's Indie Folkiness. I mean who calls anybody "sir" anymore, especially at the Christmas tree lot? Not sure about the Pinecone Beer (is that a thing?), but I like the song. I think its got legs (and branches).
There haven't been a whole lot of covers of Low's "Just Like Christmas" lately, which is really a shame. It's a far better Christmas song than Mariah's, but we've drowning in a sea of covers of that one. So I was thrilled to come across this Dream Pop version by Black Tail from Italy's Lady Sometimes Records. It's included on a fine comp, though the other covers included aren't seasonal, "A Very Lady Xmas #04". As the title might suggest, this is their fourth year of putting together a little EP at Christmas time. Like this one, though, they aren't packed with Christmas music (though there is another Christmas song from Black Tail on last year's).
This is one of the things I came across that I liked most. And I don't understand a single word of it. But I understand the sound. And the sound I like. Szabó Benedek and Sallai László are two Indie Folk Rock artists from Hungary and, together, they put out this free split single on Bandcamp. They tell us they've been trying to put out a Christmas record for 6 years, now, but the stars have not previously aligned. Sallai László's track is "Mennyből az angyal lekiabál" ("From Heaven, The Angels Shout"). Szabó Benedek gives us "Négy december" ("Four December"). Now I just have to find me someone who speaks Hungarian to tell me what the songs are about. (The first one's about 2:40 and the second one's about 3 minutes. Rim shot.)
I always liked the song "Closing of the Year" from the soundtrack of Toys. But the movie flopped and the song just got lost in the shuffle. Good songs have a way of surviving, though, even if it takes a few years for them to poke their way through the snow. In the last couple of years, "Closing of the Year" has been rediscovered and is now getting covered more and more frequently. This version from Pinecone Rockets (Nathan Yates Douglass and Cat Greenfield) is a nice Folk version that occasionally borders on Bluegrass (the arrangement is there, just need some of those Bluegrass trappings--banjo, fiddle, harmony vocals...just tossing the idea out there for any Bluegrass band that doesn't know what they're doing for the next 11 months).
I love Jazz. But, given the goofy title and cover art and a track list of some of the most annoying songs of the season, I nearly took a pass on New Jersey's BeanBop Jazz Trio. But, they did include a Hanukkah track ("Dreidel") and they were from New Jersey, so I took a shot on "Beans Roasting On An Open Fire". And they're actually really good, when they want to be. "Last Christmas" is a total loungey goof. But their "Frosty The Snowman" is very good. "Little Drummer Boy" is just an opportunity for a workout by the group's percussionist. "All I Want For Christmas Is You?" is completely awesome, once they dispense with Mariah's melody and go all Blues and Bop with the thing. And "Dreidel" was annoying at first but, 50 seconds in, they show what a little Jazz can do to, well, Jazz up that old tired kids tune. Good stuff.
Speaking of Jazz, here's some of the lo-fi variety. "Cozy Christmas" is an instrumental from a Korean producer and beat-meister named Soulitune. I'm guessing the name's a takeoff on the video game Solitune. Soulitune's mixes tend to the lo-fi Jazz and that actually gives him (or her) a bit of a niche of his (or her) own in the DJ Chill corner, since most of the producers out there are shooting for the dance floor.
I can't say I was big into Darkwave and Goth, even if I liked groups like Depeche Mode and Bauhaus. I mean The Cure was just too depressing and bleak for my taste. Still you have to tip your hat to any Indie band that's been around for more than a quarter century, especially one that makes Christmas songs...and Christmas songs you can download free. Florida's Cruxshadows is just such a band. One link led to another and then, boom, there I am on their free download page. Formed in 1992, Cruxshadows' have TWO Christmas songs up for this year. "The Carol Of The Innocents" is based upon "The Coventry Carol" (which, by itself, sounds fairly Darkwave) but the group has written new lyrics for it. There's also a new edit of "O Holy Night" (which they originally recorded in 2010); it was intended for a Christmas compilation, but they missed the deadline. I found myself particularly enjoying their 2013 single "December Lights (Merry Christmas Dear)". Check them out and collect your favorites. It should be mentioned that, although these songs can be downloaded freely, they are considered "donationware" (i.e. much like Bandcamp and Noisetrade, tips are welcome and appreciated).
Here's something you don't see everyday. The Wessex Pistols are a UK Punk band that uses, let's say, unusual instruments...like banjo, fiddle, mandolin and accordion. So it's not Punk Country in the way we've spoken of it, though The Wessex Pistols do describe their sound as Cowpunk or Hillbilly Punk. For Christmas, they've recorded a Hillbilly Ska tune written by the group's guitarist Jim Bean. If you want something different for your holiday mix (and you know we love different around here), it doesn't get much more different than Hillbilly Ska. "A Drink's Not Just For Christmas", celebrating the joy of holiday spirits year round, is free at Soundcloud. Helping the group out in the horn department for this Ska number are Nick Pratelli and Diane Highet of RAZE.
Stu Penders recorded his drunken takes on some holiday classics 2 years ago, but "Middle Toe of Mine" (to "Mistletoe & Wine") and "Messy Christmas Everyone" (to Shakin' Stevens "Merry Christmas Everyone") have recently come to Noisetrade as part of "The Lancashire Hotpots & Stu Penders Christmas Box", which also includes 3 songs from The Lancashire Hotpots. Penders is good for a laugh or two, though not on the same level as Fay McKay's drunk classic. I do enjoy when he credits Keith Richards for "Mistletoe & Wine", rather than Cliff Richard.
Quiroga is Jose Quiroga of Barcelona, Spain. And his soulful offering for the holidays is "Vuelve For Christmas" ("Come Back For Christmas"). Quiroga records for Little Red Corvette Records, a Spanish label specializing in Soul, R&B and Hip Hop and LRC reports that Jose should be dropping a new album in 2019, which they say is the real Christmas gift.
The Jingle Punx are still at it after all these years. They've been crankin' out the Christmas tunes at maximum speed and volume for such a long time, it's easy to take them for granted. But we shouldn't. They are a national treasure. Just to prove a point, they crank up to 14 for this year's "Happy Holiday". And, for extra measure, they've also posted a 2010 live recording of "Up On The Housetop". I'd be a little bummed that, due to my stay in the hospital last year, I missed "You're A Mean One, Mr. Trump". But, happily, it's still there to be had. Love you Jingle Punx. Don't ever stop.
Proving my contention that these are in no particular order, this virtual single might be my favorite of all of these. Little Hollow is a North Carolina Alternative band (though it would not surprise me to learn it's one of those band names for one multi-instrumentalist person sort of things) and, while I'd hesitate to call this Dream Pop, it's very dreamy Indie Pop. Both "Coming To Town" and "Hard Candy Christmas" are instantly recognizable, and yet they sound completely original. Technically, "Coming To Town" is from 2014, while "Hard Candy Christmas" is brand new. But grab them both for free in one shot from Bandcamp.
And since there are only so many hours in a day, there are a bunch of other links just below (including several not on Bandcamp, Noisetrade or Soundcloud). And that's still just the tip of a very large iceberg. Happy Boxing Day.
And since there are only so many hours in a day, there are a bunch of other links just below (including several not on Bandcamp, Noisetrade or Soundcloud). And that's still just the tip of a very large iceberg. Happy Boxing Day.
2STEEL GIRLS - THE CHRISTMAS SONG (Nashville Pop from former Voice contestant mother/daughter duo)
BILL BEATS - GRIME BELLS (Mid-tempo Electro Beats/Hip Hop instrumental)
BIBI - IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE (Afro-Soul)
CERTAIN DAZE - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (Psych Rock; only free thru 12/31)
THE COUNTERACTS - CHRISTMAS EP (Brit Pop)
MIKE FLOWERZ - THIS CHRISTMAS (Soul/Urban Contemporary)
SCOTT GARRED - GOLDEN BOY, GLENDA & SHAMPOO (Indie Alt Country)
PAUL HAND - CHRISTMAS ROUND HERE (UK Singer/Songwriter)
HANGTOWN - A CHRISTMAS MURDER (Spaghetti Western Alt Rock)
MIKE Y MADDI - "MONSTER'S HOLIDAY" (Uke Pop)
MILEY K. - SNOWDROPS ON MARS (British guitarist who ranges from Chill to Hard Rock)
KALKULUS - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Electronica)
LUCKY BOY^ - EVERY SONG HAS SLEIGHBELLS (Lo-fi Indie Rock)
PAUL MURPHY & THE BISHOPS - A TRIP TO THE ATTIC AT CHRISTMAS TIME (Electronica/Prog Rock/?)
NEON BLOOM - GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN (Synth Rock)
NATALIE NICOLES & KINSEY LEE - CAROLING CAROLING/AULD LANG SYNE (Neo-Folk; 2018 track)
NUTMEG FRIENDS - CHRISTMAS TIME (Indie Pop)
ONE STEP FROM EVERYWHERE - FUNKY MAN IN RED (Funk Rock)
PATCHES - COWIE IN A MANGER (Chamber Pop)
DON QUINN - WAKE UP ON CHRISTMAS (Country)
TORI ROZE & THE HOT MESS - CLASSY XMAS (Stripped down bluesy Jazz; think Amy Winehouse unplugged)
JED & CLAIRE SENECA - SIMPLE DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS (Country)
SAVING JAKE - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (Emo/Indie Pop)
SEXORES - I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Synth-driven Dream Pop from Ecuador)
SPYDER DARLING - WHITE CHRISTMAS (Rock)
STUDENT SOUL - WE THREE KINGS/GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEFOLK (Jazz from NZ; stick with it)
THE TRACYS - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (Pop Punk/Punk)
ZINDLES - CITY OF SNOW (Indie Folk Pop)
ZOE ZOBRIST - BLUE CHRISTMAS (Indie Folk from Texas)
VARIOUS - A REAL CHARLOTTE CHRISTMAS (Hip Hop, Chill, Jazz, Soul)
BILL BEATS - GRIME BELLS (Mid-tempo Electro Beats/Hip Hop instrumental)
BIBI - IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE (Afro-Soul)
CERTAIN DAZE - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (Psych Rock; only free thru 12/31)
THE COUNTERACTS - CHRISTMAS EP (Brit Pop)
MIKE FLOWERZ - THIS CHRISTMAS (Soul/Urban Contemporary)
SCOTT GARRED - GOLDEN BOY, GLENDA & SHAMPOO (Indie Alt Country)
PAUL HAND - CHRISTMAS ROUND HERE (UK Singer/Songwriter)
HANGTOWN - A CHRISTMAS MURDER (Spaghetti Western Alt Rock)
MIKE Y MADDI - "MONSTER'S HOLIDAY" (Uke Pop)
MILEY K. - SNOWDROPS ON MARS (British guitarist who ranges from Chill to Hard Rock)
KALKULUS - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Electronica)
LUCKY BOY^ - EVERY SONG HAS SLEIGHBELLS (Lo-fi Indie Rock)
PAUL MURPHY & THE BISHOPS - A TRIP TO THE ATTIC AT CHRISTMAS TIME (Electronica/Prog Rock/?)
NEON BLOOM - GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN (Synth Rock)
NATALIE NICOLES & KINSEY LEE - CAROLING CAROLING/AULD LANG SYNE (Neo-Folk; 2018 track)
NUTMEG FRIENDS - CHRISTMAS TIME (Indie Pop)
ONE STEP FROM EVERYWHERE - FUNKY MAN IN RED (Funk Rock)
PATCHES - COWIE IN A MANGER (Chamber Pop)
DON QUINN - WAKE UP ON CHRISTMAS (Country)
TORI ROZE & THE HOT MESS - CLASSY XMAS (Stripped down bluesy Jazz; think Amy Winehouse unplugged)
JED & CLAIRE SENECA - SIMPLE DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS (Country)
SAVING JAKE - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (Emo/Indie Pop)
SEXORES - I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Synth-driven Dream Pop from Ecuador)
SPYDER DARLING - WHITE CHRISTMAS (Rock)
STUDENT SOUL - WE THREE KINGS/GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEFOLK (Jazz from NZ; stick with it)
THE TRACYS - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (Pop Punk/Punk)
ZINDLES - CITY OF SNOW (Indie Folk Pop)
ZOE ZOBRIST - BLUE CHRISTMAS (Indie Folk from Texas)
VARIOUS - A REAL CHARLOTTE CHRISTMAS (Hip Hop, Chill, Jazz, Soul)
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