Category: Traditions

A STUBBY'S HOUSE CHRISTMAS & HANUKKAH 2016

12/24/2016

[Links have been removed, as promised]

From the land of better late than never. This is a lot of work, yo.

So, anyway, it's that time of year again (thank you, Captain Obvious). And tomorrow is the big day. That's right. Doctor Who is back! But, aside from that, it's also Christmas...and Hanukkah. And regulars know that I like to slip my own little gifty under the tree.

The "rules" are simple enough. These selections are all songs that were offered as free downloads by the artists and labels, and they have to be freebies that we talked about over the course of the year. I believe our first entry this year was in March and, yes, that first freebie of the year is on here. They don't have to be 2016 songs, so long as we talked about them in 2016 (which we couldn't do if they were no longer free). Now it doesn't matter to me if a song is no longer free right now, so long as it was at some point, but I don't think that's an issue this year.

"A Stubby's House Christmas" goes up today, for your downloading pleasure, and comes down around Midnight January 6--what is known as "Little Christmas". "Little Christmas" was a big deal in the Italian neighborhood I grew up in, and it's also the end of the Breaking Up Christmas celebrations in the Appalachians, near where I live now. Once it comes down, it will never see the light of day again. It's gone forever like the cookies you leave out for Santa.

Song titles are linked to our write-ups and artist names are linked to their websites or Facebook pages (where available).

And the most important rule: I get to break them (we don't need no stinkin' rules). But I usually don't.

2016 is a bit different from past years in that Hanukkah and Christmas-to-New-Year's sync up precisely. I'm told it was like that some 40 odd years ago, but I don't have a memory of it. Most years, Hanukkah is long gone by the time of the Stubby mix, so Hanukkah doesn't get much play on them. This year, there is a set of 5 Hanukkah tunes on Disc 2 (and a spare track on Disc 1). Sure, I wouldn't mind doing a whole side of Hanukkah (I've done several full Hanukkah mixes for friends and for my own head); it's just that there aren't so many quality freebies for Hanukkah in a given year.

There are TWO songs, here, we haven't talked about this year--both in the Hanukkah set. One is a brilliant bit of Blues in Hebrew from Lazer Lloyd. It IS free (you'll find it here); it's just not a Hanukkah song. But there are lots of tunes we consider Christmas tunes that aren't. I'll post the English translation of the lyrics for "Ha'am Sheli" in the comments.

The other tune we haven't talked about is our Stubby's House Exclusive this year (yay!). The Elemeno Pea had, earlier this year, posted a song on Soundcloud (stream). They pulled it down from there and from Amazon. As I was about to buy it (before it vanished), I contacted the band and, well, nice folks that they are, they agreed to let us have it as a Stubby's House Exclusive (yay!).

The Elemeno Pea is a songwriting and production team in L.A (Jessie Shapiro and Rob Shore at the helm). They do a lot of stuff, including music for films, jingles, and commercials as well as the occasional full-blown Pop song. I'm assured that The Elemeno Pea have plans for 2017, including for their song "Light Up For Hanukkah", an awesome piece of groovin' Electro Pop. I believe it's back up at Amazon, now, but this is the only place you can get it free (as part of the Stubby's House collection). Let's have a quick listen.

OK. Didn't mean to talk your ear off. As usual, one of the biggest problems is getting all the levels in the same ballpark. Did my best. Trimmed a few sleighbells and what not to make for better flow. Disc one is all over the place and it kinda works because of it (but only kinda). Disc Two is tightly focused and I'm almost a little proud of it. Almost. It's been a miserable year in most any respect, and that is reflected in the songs that got chosen and the order of play. Usually like to start upbeat, but we open with Charlotte Carpenter's "Cheer". Don't worry. It gets upbest. Hopefully, it'll serve as catharsis and you'll feel better at the end.

Favorite song, this year, is Chelsey Cope's "Holiday Party". Man, what a great song that is. Second favorite is from Yuuwii and Weiwen (I've been listening to that one since March). Always like to tell you who almost made the cut, but didn't. That song, this year, was "Naughty X-mas" from Cali Miles. I love that tune. But I figured others might disagree (especially given the legal troubles), so I dropped Cali this morning and tacked on The Holiday Scene's new Hanukkah tune instead.

The zip file contains all of the tunes, properly tagged, and all of the artwork you should need to make yourself a CD of "A Stubby's House Christmas & Hanukkah 2016". Regulars also know that any of the artwork in this post will take you to the download (except the Elemeno Pea pic). But, just in case, here's a link [links removed, as promised] for you. Gone after January 6th, so don't dawdle.

I am really sorry this took so long. I am. But we will be back tonight to kick off the 8 nights of Hanukkah. And I imagine we'll have something for Christmas Eve as well. Peace.

DISC ONE
1. CHEER - CHARLOTTE CARPENTER
2. 358 DAYS - FOLKINCEPTION featuring THE HOLY BROKE
3. KIDS COME BACK AGAIN AT CHRISTMAS - SLOAN
4. CHRISTMAS WITHOUT MARIA - THE JAC featuring THE CHRISTMAS CREW
5. CHRISTMAS (BABY, PLEASE COME HOME) - LAST TRAIN HOME
6. WEIHNACHTZEIT (CHRISTMAS TIME) - TORSTEN KUDJER
7. BRING BACK MY CADILLAC - JOE BONAMASSA
8. HOLIDAY PARTY - CHELSEY COPE
9. CHRISTMAS EVE - NIGHT FLOWERS
10. CHRISTMAS EVE/PIERSTON QUEEN - CHASE HUGLIN
11. THE MOUNTAIN WIND BLOWS COLD - LAURA ASHTON JONES
12. WARREN CITY CHRISTMAS - KISSING PARTY
13. YOU STOLE MY XMAS SWEATER - RAT FANCY
14. A MAN IN A RED SUIT - TYLER BERNHARDT
15. CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY - WINTERVAL
16. CHRISTMAS MUSIC - CHARLES JENKINS
17. IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I WANNA BE - MARKEY BLUE
18. GORILLABOT SANTA - GORILLABOT
19. CHRISTMAS BRAND NEW - BONNIE & THE BARROWS
20. SILENT NIGHT - MARK JEGHURS
21. SIMPLY CHRISTMAS - FIREFLAKE
22. EIGHT DATES A WEEK - THE HOLIDAY SCENE

DISC TWO
1. LET IT BE FOR CHRISTMAS - ZOE JACK
2. WINTER WINDS - TRADarrr
3. I CAN'T WAKE UP AT DAWN - BACIO
4. THE JOY THAT SEASONS BRING - KATIE FERRARA
5. (I WANNA DO) CHANUKAH WIT' JEW - LENNY BEIGE
6. LIGHT UP FOR HANUKKAH - ELEMENO PEA (feat. NOCH) (Stubby's House EXCLUSIVE!!!)
7. HOW DO YOU SPELL CHANNUKKAHH - THE LEEVEES
8. LIGHT ONE CANDLE - REN GEISICK
9. HA'AM SHELI (MY PEOPLE) - LAZER LLOYD
10. LAND OF CHRISTMAS - THE ZIPPER SHTICK
11. IN A WHISPER - AMY JAY
12. PEACE ON EARTH/LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - BLUE SKIES FOR BLACK HEARTS

13. CHRISTMAS IN A TENT - DAVID ROVICS
14. WINTER DREAM - FAUX FAWN
15. CLOTHE YOURSELF FOR THE WINTER - SOFIA TALVIK
16. CHRISTMAS EVE UNTIL I LEAVE - HOTEL BOOKS
17. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - ENID
18. THERE WILL BE NO CHRISTMAS - YUUWII & WEIWEN
19. NEW BEGINNINGS - FEVER FEVER
20. XMAS TIME - LO FI ACOUSTIC TRIO
21. WHITE CHRISTMAS - RICKY COOL & THE IN CROWD
22. MERRY CHRISTMAS TIME - SOMERDALE

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WARBLINGS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST (ANDY CIRZAN)

12/17/2016

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How do people do this blog thing and still have time to sleep? I don't get it. I can't do it. Every freakin' night, I tell myself, "OK, we're gonna get an early start and wrap it up by 2:00 AM. OK, no later than 3." It's freakin' 5 o'clock in the morning. There's a freakin' infomercial going on (and way too loud) because I don't even have the freakin' time to change the freakin' channel or even just turn the freakin' thing off. I've got a freakin' crapload of stuff I want to do, here, and I don't have the freakin' time to freakin' do any of it. I even put a couple of quickies in my back pocket for just such an occasion and I don't have the freakin' time to do them.

Pardon me. I'm just freakin' out.

So, as was the case last night, I have to figure out the thing to post that isn't going to keep me here til noon.

Well, at least its one that might interest you.

While we at Stubby's cater to the Christmas music obsessive, a few of our tribe have achieved a degree of fame (or possibly infamy). One such is DJ lo-fi, aka Andy Cirzan. Andy has a regular day gig. But he spends much of his free time hunting down obscure Christmas records. Or, as he refers to them, "holiday obscura". From these, he assembles a little Christmas mix which he then shares via the website of the "Sound Opinions" program on Chicago's WBEZ. Of course people want to know about the collection, so Andy appears on "Sound Opinions", just like Santa, to spread the good cheer and weird music. The Christmas episodes of "Sound Opinions" aren't limited to the songs on the collection. Andy gets talking and the next thing you know, he's reached into his sack of goodies, and pulled out something altogether different. This year's episode aired last night, which means that the new collection is now available.

Andy stopped doing these collections a few years back. But thank goodness nobody told Andy. That would be a Christmas disaster, a year without a Santa Claus. This year's collection is "Warblings From The Enchanted Forest". I like to challenge myself to see how many I know and how many I own. Earlier, I thought the number was 3, but I've revised up to 5...and maybe 6. See? Now I'm feeling a little better about myself. I'm nearly halfway into the obscura club. The others...eh, no clue. The Robin Sisters "Chimney Top Twist" (see the video) is one of the ones I own...yes, the original 45. And I've got two copies of Wayne Champion, who was a pretty good singer for an office supplies salesman.

Here's where you go to download "Warblings From The Enchanted Forest". You should be aware that Andy presents his tales of "holiday obscura" as Side A and Side B, just like the old days of vinyl recordings. Andy's special mixes only last until January 1 and then, poof, they're gone gone gone. If you'd like to download the "Sound Opinions" episode, you can do that here. Looks like there's a good deal on the show that isn't on the mix. And, if the spirit strikes you, the old mixes are gone, but the old Christmas episodes remain in the archives (well, back to 2005 anyway). You can just click on the "Andy Cirzan" tag under this year's episode. Though they don't appear to be in order, the episodes you're looking for a 4, 55, 108, 160, 212, 264, 316, 368, 420, 472, and 525 (thanks, Ernie). This year's is 577 (for future reference). It's free. Enjoy.

Crap, I've been typing like a maniac and it's nearly 6. Crap. I just don't know how people do this.

SOUND OPINIONS WEB SITE
SOUND OPINIONS EPISODE 577
WARBLINGS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST

SIDE A
Andy Claus (with The Snowy Slopes Orchestra), "Santa Is My Cousin"
Robin Sisters, "Chimney Top Twist"
Wayne Champion, "It's Xmas Time"
Joanie Sommers, "The Peppermint Engineer"
Kay Huntington, "Christmas Stands For Love"
Jimmie Dale and the Jimmy's, "Kangi - The Kangaroo (His Xmas Hula Hoop)"
Sydney Cheese, "Christmas Hoedown (On Plymouth Hoe)"
Tommy Roe (w/ Curt Boettcher), "It's Now Winter's Day"

SIDE B
Sam Applebaum (featuring Mary Nealy), The Year Around Christmas Present EP: "a) How Are We Gonna Stretch Christmas? / b) Gotta Way to Show the Way / c) Christmas Time's A Feelin'"
Benji & Friends, "Christmas All Over the World"
Len Maxwell, "A Merry Monster Christmas"
Found Free, "Christmas Is Jesus"
Dexter Gordon Quartet, "Holiday Greeting/The Christmas Song"

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VARIOUS - A POLAROID FOR CHRISTMAS 2016

12/15/2016

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Holy crap! "A Polaroid For Christmas 2016" has been out for two days and I'm only finding out about it now? Let me tell you, sleep depravation will destroy your life. I like to toss up one song to listen to, but that's been tough this year. I'm not finding any Soundcloud or Bandcamp streams for these songs. Except for our old friends The Soda Fountain Rag. Their contribution is an oldie, but a goodie, but is a mere 47 seconds long. Oh, well.

1. JJ MAZZ - Dear Santa
2. BIG CREAM - Assassination On Christmas Eve
3. QLOWSKI - Building Walls
4. DLAN TYMAS - It's Christmas Once Again
5. ALL MY TEENAGE DREAMS - Angel Come Clean
6. SWEAT - Sorry, Santa
7. SETTI - Renne Va Plus
8. THE JACKSON POLLOCK - The Yeah Song
9. ORSON - Christmas Is Going To The Dogs
10. UNA BELLA COSA - Regalo
11. FLYIN' ZEBRA - Tranquilizer
12. BASEBALL GREGG - Blue Snow
13. SODA FOUNTAIN RAG - 1000 Plommer

DOWNLOAD FROM POLAROID

It's a shame I'm too tired to truly appreciate this right now. And I gotta get some sleep. I don't even want to know how many typos are gonna be in this write up. And Mrs. Katz (not her real name) has been pissed at me for days. So I gotta keep it short. But I wouldn't dare deny you for another minute.

Polaroid is an Italian music blog. Every year, the humble host of Polaroid asks some of the artists and bands they know if they would like to write a Christmas song or, if not, just play a song to keep them company while they decorate their tree. And the result is always a wonderful, unique, original collection of special music from special people. And Polaroid then posts the collection as a free download for all. I'm pretty sure I first came across them in our first year, 2010. Surely that was when I discovered the Neverending Mojitos. And, much as I loved the Santastic collections and Suburban Sprawl and the Cherryade comps, this was always that special gift I came to look so forward to every year. It's definitely one I try to beat the other Christmas music blogs to (and maybe they let me). I just feel a special connection to "A Polaroid For Christmas".

One of the things that helps make "A Polaroid For Christmas" so special is that it's an Italian blog. So there's a bunch of bands we don't know about or hear much from over here in the states. Our friends at Lie In The Sound perform a similar service from their outpost in Germany. Many, if not most of the songs on the Polaroid collections are initially recorded specifically for Polaroid. So some of these songs might not even exist, but for Polaroid. Their Christmas collections have an underground chic that makes bands want to be included. And I've always found them to be, by and large, full of seasonal joy and warmth, somehow. The performances sound genuine and heartfelt. Genre-wise, pretty much anything goes, though Indie Rock and Indie Pop dominate. But it would, as that's the music Polaroid covers throughout the year. So many music blogs come and go, it's reassuring to me every year I find Polaroid still there.

I have to warn you that this year's collection contains a good many songs in foreign languages (like Italian, mostly). Me, I barely speak English, so I can't really tell you what they're singing about. As for favorites, I haven't had time to sit with it, yet, really. But there's JJ MAZZ with "Dear Santa", that's part Dream Pop and part Shoegaze. It's otherworldly and I love it. Sweat's "Sorry, Santa" has a bit of a retro feel to it, like something from a Frankie & Annette movie that sat in the sun just long enough to develop a cool Indie Rock sunburn. I have loved the raw rawk Garage Punk sound of The Jackson Pollock for awhile (since first discovering them through Polaroid) and "The Yeah Song" is no exception. Baseball Gregg's "Blue Snow" is precisely the kind of joyous Indie Christmas song we might not hear but for the efforts of this wonderful blog--one part big top spectacle, one part 80s inspired synth pop, and one part modern Indie Pop greatness. I have no idea what Una Bella Cosa is singing in "Regalo", but it sounds a tiny bit like "Donde Esta Santa Claus?", doncha think? Setti's great "Renne Va Plus" is said to be abot reindeer. Flyin Zebra's Garage Psych pounds the "Tranquilizer". I haven't mentioned the cover tunes, but they're another reason the Polaroid collections are so great. When you get a Christmas song cover on a Polaroid collection, it's no common cover. It sounds absolutely unique and unlike any cover ever done. Particular kudos, here, to Orson's wonderful take on the Eels' "Christmas Is Going To The Dogs".

In point of fact, there are no bad selections on "A Polaroid For Christmas 2016". There never are. Head to Polaroid and download the collection. You can listen to the tunes or the mix, and all of the artists are linked up for you to learn more. May the Polaroid Christmas collections live forever.

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KISSING PARTY - WINTER IN THE PUB (FULL ALBUM)

12/13/2016

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1.   Dale Voorhies
2.   Merry Christmas Darling (Maybe Next Year Things Will Change)
3.   Warren City Christmas
4.   Pretty Lights
5.   Winter In The Pub
6.   You're Going Everywhere Without Me
7.   Reckless Road
8.   The Black Crown
9.   PA Grey
10. My Only One

KISSING PARTY WEB SITE
KISSING PARTY ON FACEBOOK
PURCHASE FROM BANDCAMP
PURCHASE FROM AMAZON
PURCHASE FROM iTUNES

We started this blog/web site/whatever the hell it is in 2010. I had an idea of what I was trying to do (which, of course, never unfolded as I pictured). Mainly, I wanted to make sure that music that needed to be heard got heard. I was still feeling my way around back then. It took me a while to just be me and let the chips fall.

In that first year, I (and perhaps you) were introduced to a few artists who I've come to think of as family. Not like parents or siblings, but, you know, the kinds of cousins for whom the door is always open. C'mon in, sit down. Can I get you anything? Let's catch up.

In 2010, a Denver based Indie band known as Kissing Party released a song entitled "Winter In The Pub". I was instantly attracted to their sound. I don't even know why. But I was drawn to it. Fascinated by it. I had the kind of feeling I usually get about a woman I know is ultimately going to break my heart (they haven't...yet).

The guitars sparkled. The vocals I described as "somber and sinister". It was Lo-Fi without being Lo-Fi. There was a darkness, but there was a light (kinda like that woman who is going to break my heart). The band, I think, had described their sound as "Slop Pop". It took me a while to conclude that (to me, anyway) what that means in that there are so many different styles coming together in their sound, that it's fairly well impossible to say it's this or it's that. It's all of it.

Through the years, Kissing Party kept coming back to the season with one great tune after another. In 2012, I'd loosened up enough to be appropriately effusive in my praise of "Dale Voorhies":
"This year's Christmas gift is "Dale Voorhies" which the band themselves call "morose". But it's "morose" that you can dance to. In fact, I can scarcely think of a more depressing song that makes me feel this good. It's weird. It's genius!"

And, in 2013, they topped themselves again with "Pretty Lights". Look, I could reminisce all day, but we're here to talk about this year. But I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least include a link to the brilliant video for "Pretty Lights". Please. Watch it. Repeatedly.

So, anyway. Kissing Party, this year--with THREE NEW CHRISTMAS TUNES--have finally achieved full album mass. Again utilizing the title of that first Christmas song, "Winter In The Pub", Kissing Party presents their full Christmas experience! The album was released to all of the digital platforms this past Friday. This Saturday, there's a CD release party at Denver's Skylark Lounge. So, wait, is there a "Winter In The Pub" CD? Best I can tell at the moment is that there is a "Limited Edition" CD. How limited? It could be that the only way to get it is at the CD release party. I honestly don't know. But, if you're within a state or two of Denver this Saturday, I'd sure try to be at Skylark Lounge.

The "star" among the new Christmas tunes is "Warren City Christmas" (video up top). "The Black Crown", on first listen, sounds like "Warren City Christmas" painted in different hues. I do love "Warren City Christmas". But I also love "PA Grey", which isn't getting a whole lot of attention right now. This tune gives me the sense of sitting on a bus as it pulls away, in the middle of winter, looking out the window--deep in thoughts of what was, what is, and what will never be--with the fog of your breath on the glass and your heart in your stomach. So I gotta toss it in, here.

That's a thing to me. I like a song that gives me a visceral feeling. It almost doesn't matter what a song is really about. It's more about what it makes me feel. And the thing about Kissing Party that's been true from 2010 to today is that it could be the most depressing song I've ever heard and I come away smiling. Even when a song of their's calls to mind a depressing memory, I come away feeling good. It's cathartic, somehow. I don't understand why, really, but who cares?

The combination of people in the group is part of the reason for the success of their sound. I can't put it any better than Tom Murphy of Westworld Magazine did, so I'm going to borrow his assessment:
"The Kissing Party is a band masterful in the writing of upbeat, melancholy pop songs and wry wit. Although the lyrics reveal the romantic and sentimental outlook of the group's primary songwriters, Gregg Dolan and Deidre Sage, it is the rhythm section of Lee Evans and Shane Reid, coupled with the delicate yet assured guitar leads of Joe Hansen, that take relatively simple songs and give them a drive and color that isn't otherwise obvious."

And we get further insight into their Christmas songs, specifically, from the band, who say the songs come from their experience going home for Christmas over the past 5 or 6 years. See, you can go home again. And it's less that it's not the same than that it is.
"This album is for anyone who has ever gone home to find the same friends sitting on the same barstool you left them on the year before. It's about not feeling home at home but dreading returning to the city. It's about feeling happy, depressed, drunk and in love at the same time. It's about friends you grew up with, girls you still miss, smoking in garages and playing ping pong in basements. It's the feeling you get returning to the bedroom you grew up in and its still decorated with Oasis & The Cure posters you had on the wall when you were 15. In other words Christmas Carols for the crippled inside. Pairs well with hot totty's, hometowns and heartbreak."

So there it is. Kissing Party is a great band who have delivered great Christmas music because the songs are real. They aren't looking to paint a Courier & Ives picture. Nor are they looking to be anti-Christmas (that's a thing, you know). They aren't trying to be anything but real. Real life is never just one thing. It's happy and sad, surprising and disappointing, new and old, dark and light--all at the same time. There's always an over-arching sense that there should be more or better, fully tempered with the constant reminders that it could be so much worse. I love this band. To me, their music is "existential"--proof of existence. And, if that's just a bit too overwrought for you, if you think I'm trying to read more than is actually there, then I come back to this. Their music sounds great and it always--always--makes me feel good. And no music need ever be more than that.

Please check out Kissing Party's "Winter In The Pub" and consider buying it. It's not just a timecapsule of their Christmases past, but of ours. Although you can find it at the usual digital emporiums, you'll get your best price (and FLAC, if you like) at Bandcamp. Just sayin'. If we find out there's a CD for sale anywhere outside of Denver, we'll certainly let you know (though my sense is maybe not). I just hope this isn't the last of Kissing Party's Christmas music. Or maybe this is finally the moment where that girl breaks my heart. Hey, I knew it was coming the moment I laid eyes on her.

It is true that many of these songs were originally offered as free gifties, but they've earned whatever the "Winter In The Pub" collection might cost you. Proving they still love you (or maybe they just forgot, so grab it quick), "Warren City Christmas" is currently free to download from Soundcloud. And, even if that disappears, you can find a free download of "Winter of No Self Control" (not a Christmas song, but just as wonderful) from the band's "Waster's Wall" album at Hot Congress (right click, MAC users).

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MERRY CHRISTMAS PROVO, VOLUME 3

12/4/2016

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PURCHASE MERRY CHRISTMAS PROVO, VOL. 3

1. JamesTheMormon – Joy To The World (feat. The National Parks)
2. LaFrantz – Hark The Herald Angels Sing
3. Belle Jewel – O Come O Come Emmanuel
4. Peach Dream – Up On The Housetop
5. Officer Jenny – O, How Wondrous The Love
6. Emily Brown – Solstice
7. Haley Hendrickson – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
8. Quiet House – The Cherry Tree Carol
9. Yahosh, Lydia Afualo, and Mizz Hix (of The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir) – Christmas Wish
10. Junior Maile – Away In A Manger (feat. Pati)
11. O/B/A – Is It Really Christmas?
12. Chance Lewis – Twelve Days of Christmas (feat. Officer Jenny, Quiet House, Karl Strange, Book On Tape Worm, New Shack, Coral Bones, Joshua James, Mindy Gledhill, Jamesthemormon, Brandon Taft Robbins, and Ryan Innes)

Hmm. Santa looks a bit like Jerry Garcia. I've wondered about this since, oh, August, because I hadn't heard anything. And I hadn't heard anything, still, until today.

Yes, we get a new volume of "Merry Christmas Provo" this year. Sing hallelujah! Over the past couple of years, I've really come to enjoy these. I've always been a fan of local artist comps, as you know. But Provo has a certain formula and they've got it down. Their compilations have a very traditional feel, while still possessing a contemporary sound and enough variety to keep me happy. I find the "Merry Christmas Provo" collections to be perfect listening for almost any seasonal occasion (except for those times when you want to drive the neighbors crazy with Hardcore and Metal...and there are those times). Mostly, they're very good at the end of a long day of fighting traffic and shopping mall crowds. They're a lot like a spa for a tired mind.

Volume 3 features some true delights. There's a very uplifting version of "Joy To The World", with a Hip-Hop call to be our better selves and love one another, from James The Mormon. LaFrantz put an Electro Pop spin on "Hark The Herald Angels Sing". Junior Maile gently massages your temples with a too gorgeous for words "Away In A Manger". And Belle Jewel provides a fetching "O Come O Come Emmanuel". We get some modern Soul from O/B/A on "Is It Really Christmas?". And my two favorites are the Soulful as Stevie Wonder with Gospel Choir "Christmas Wish" and (and, I'll be honest, it surprised me that I liked this one so much) the Chamber Pop Officer Jenny's "O, How Wonderous The Joy". Speaking of Officer Jenny, he's got a little EP he's been building on Bandcamp--"A Virgin Did Come" (worth checking out).

"Merry Christmas Provo" is always reasonably priced ($10 plus shipping) with all of the proceeds (100%) going to United Way programs that help children, the elderly, and the disabled during the holiday season. What's more, while they still have a few copies of each available, you can add Volumes 1 and/or 2 to your order at half price (just $5 each). And your CD purchase comes with an instant download, so you can begin enjoying it immediately. You can learn more on the website of Provo's Mayor (more videos there, too) and head over here to purchase.

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THIS ONE GOES TO ELEVEN

11/23/2016

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I was a bit crestfallen last year when, after a decade, there was no "A Very Cherry Christmas". We had Volume 10 in 2014, but nothing last year. And I know some of the folks involved with the Cherryade label had their own stuff they were dealing with and, me, of all people, I had to appreciate that. But still...no "A Very Cherry Christmas" last year. Sad emoji.

Well, they're back this year with Volume 11. And my thanks to Christmas A-Go-Go for finding them. "A Very Cherry Christmas" is always packed full of up and coming Indie Pop, Alt, Rock, Lo-Fi, Underground, Synth Pop, Twee, Ghost Wave, Dream Pop....well, whatever it is, it's far enough off the beaten path to make my heart go pitter patter. As always with the Cherryade collections, some of the tracks have been out there before and some are newly created for the collection. I can rarely tell which is which because I rarely come across the previously released ones when they were released previously. They tend to be too far off the radar for Google. There's only a few of these artists I've even heard of. Let's see. Elizabeth Morris (Allo Darlin'), The Just Joans and, um, Red Sleeping Beauty and....no, I think that's about it. Oh, wait, Partly Llama have been on AVCC before and Thumper, we talked about them earlier this year. So now I don't feel like a total idiot. I didn't know anybody on the first set either, at the time, and now some of those acts are like old friends.

A couple of things you need to know. Release date for the CDs is November 25. That's the day they ship, anyway. "A Very Cherry Christmas, Vol. 11" is among their most limited ever--clocking in at a lean 200 copies. There is, as of the moment, NO digital download of the set...not even if you buy the CD. My guess is, if the CD sells through, they might re-consider. But that's just a guess. The collections have always been--and remain--very affordable for a limited edition 21 track collection from the UK (just one of the many reasons I am so hooked on them). If you head over to Bandcamp to consider whether or not to buy the CD, you will see something that says "Free Download", but that's only for the two "teaser" tracks (and, honestly, since I immediately bought the CD, I don't even know if they're free to all or not).

P.S. I was feeling a little guilty about ignoring the International page, so I went out and hunted one up for it. So there's that, if you're interested. And I should probably put that French Country music comp up there as well. I did get mine a few days ago, but haven't listened to it yet.

1. Nervous Twitch - You Ruined Christmas
2. The Just Joans - Your Turkey Doesn't Taste Right
Written by The Just Joans & Kriss Foster
3. Niagara Balls (feat Matt Moskal) - Don't Be A Dick At Christmas
Written by Niagara Balls
4. Family Selection Box - Everyday Feels Like Christmas (When You Celebrate Christmas Everyday)
5. Elizabeth Morris - The Season
6. Deerful - City Bells
7. Rainbow Reservoir - Christmas In Istanbul
8. Entre-Knobs - Xmas Not So Much
9. The Gin Birkins - Christmas Time Is Here Again (Ah Bumhug!)
10. Red Sleeping Beauty - Merry Christmas, Marie
11. The Yellow Melodies - Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas
12. Thumper - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
13. Building Rockets - Snow Song
14. Sunny Intervals - Like Snowflakes
15. David Craigie - Running In The Snow With You
16. The South London Lo-Fi Explosion - Climate Change Christmas
17. Council Tax Band - O Tannenbaum
18. Luke & Chelsea - Oh Yeah, It's Christmastime!
19. Alex And The Christopher Hale Band – Merry Xmas (Work Is Over)
20. Partly Llama – Switch The Lights Back On
21. AirStripOne – The Last Christmas On Earth

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IT'S A HARD ROCK LIFE

11/15/2016

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1. For Christmas - OLD BREED
2. Christmas Time Again - BONECRUSHER
3. Peace On Earth - AUTOMATICS
4. War On Christmas - HE WHO CANNOT BE NAMED
5. This One's For Us - HARDKNOCKS
6. Winter Solstice - 7er JUNGS
7. Not The Season To Be Jolly - SEASIDE REBELS
8. Decorate The Christmas Tree - MISSILE TOADS
9. Xmas Twist - JJ SPEEDBALL
10. Sick Of It All - LAZY CLASS
11. Christmas Of Doom - BASTARD MONSTER
12. Do They Care It's Christmas - PISSTONS
13. Beer For Christmas - RIOTGUN

PRE-ORDER FROM REBEL SOUND

Do I need to say it? We love traditions! Last year, there was no "Cashing In On Christmas" album and there was much disappointment throughout the land. Well, boo hoo, ya little punks! That's what life is -- one disappointment after another -- so get used to it. You'll get Christmas music when we say so and, some years, you'll get nothing and like it. Now crank it. We've got skulls to crush. Or would you prefer a boot party? Yeah, didn't think so.

"Cashing In On Christmas" is, of course, the on-going series of Christmas Punk and Hardcore from Black Hole Records and Rebel Sound Music. And, this year, we get Volume 7. Think of it. I remember a time when you couldn't find one decent Punk collection (OK, I'm ancient; you already knew that). Now everybody wants to get into the act (even those posers at Fearless. "This Christmas" by the Summer Set? Are you kidding me?). "Cashing In On Christmas" continues to rank head and shoulders above the shoulders and heads of others. As usual, much of the collection is NSFW, Parental Advisory suggested. Then again, we've got a President-elect who very deliberately used the F-bomb in a live speech on national TV, so maybe we don't need no stinking rules, now.

I usually like to give "Cashing In On Christmas" a good couple of listens before posting, but I've only had time for a brief play through so far. I thought there was a lot of variety, this year. And there's definitely plenty of energy for your holiday slam dancing pleasure. Leaving aside the track from the Automatics, which is awesome but previously released, I think my favorite is "This One's For Us" from Hardknocks; if you're looking for a renewable energy source, I'd say just play "This One's For Us" on a loop and you're golden. But, as usual, there are no bad tracks on the record. Bonecrusher's "Christmas Time Again" opens with a bit of "Little Drummer Boy" (I've decided that, from now on, it should only ever be played that way) before going Oi and is likely the song that brings the most Christmas without compromise. And the Pisstons deserve extra credit for taking on that whole "We Are The World"/"Do They Know It's Christmas" thing which...hey, look, just listen to it; you'll get it. It's sort of the same message, in its way, as the SNL sketch on the election returns. Regardless, the Pisstons tune is probably the most unique on the record, but when they turn it on for the home stretch, they are damned impressive (possibly even Damned impressive). And would it be wrong of me to say "Christmas Of Doom" by Bastard Monster was fun? Yeah, probably would. Bollocks. All in all, another solid set from Black Hole Music and Rebel Sound Music.

"Cashing In On Christmas, Volume 7" is set for release on December 17. It'll be pressed on Snow White vinyl (Hmm. I was thinking White Wedding vinyl). And, if I'm reading this correctly, will be limited to 500 copies. There is likely a retailer who will have this in your neck of the woods--Bandworm in Germany, Noise of Sweden, and they always show at Interpunk. But you can just pre-order direct from Rebel Sound. Wasn't that simple? OK, you Punks. Piss off. Avoid the noid and, remember, smoking kills dead fish.

Speaking of Punks, do you remember the Jingle Punx? The Jingle Punx (not to be confused with the Jingle Punks) dig the Punk sound but weren't so much of the Punk culture. They delivered their (nearly) annual treats with their tongues set firmly in cheek. And, though I kinda lost track when I was taking care of my Mom, I believe they were still dropping a pretty much annual track as recently as last Christmas. No doubt, you've heard that this year's Killers Christmas song will be their last. That's, what, 11 for them? Pfft! The Jingle Punx laugh at 11. They also laugh at 4, 17, 33 and 69. In fact, they find most numbers funny. But the point is the Jingle Punx--when you put them all together--have recorded and released at least 60 Christmas treasures. And putting them all together is what they've now done, producing a pair of digital Christmas sets which, between them, feature just about their entire holiday catalog. Re-mastered, no less. There's even some Hanukkah in there for you. (I'll tell you right now, I am NOT typing out the entire damn track list. Nope, not doin' it.) "Re-Gifted, Volumes 1 & 2" were released on October 18. I missed it because they are not (not yet anyway) in the places I usually frequent. They are, thus far, taking the road less travelled. Spotify, of course (and I can't do Spotify--stupid ancient computer), Google Play, Loudr, and The Music Today are the platforms I'm finding it on so far. They may make their way to iTunes, as well. Go get 'em. Get 'em all and get 'em now because you never know how long they'll be available.

....

1. The First Noel
2. Away In A Manger
3. Up On The Housetop

ZACHARY RUSSELL ON TUMBLR
PRE-ORDER FROM BANDCAMP

Zachary Russell, a mid-west Rock instrumentalist, has a new holiday EP due Friday (November 18). As the title would suggest, "Hello, Xmas II" is the follow up to Zachary's well received "Hello, Xmas" a few years ago. His current style, to my ears, falls somewhere between classic Hard Rock and Pop Punk. But he has some other tasty holiday treats available on Bandcamp, as well (I'm still a fan of "Reindeer March", myself). Zachary Russell downloads tend to be inexpensive and the hard copy CDs (when he does them) don't usually last long. The CD of "Hello, Xmas II" includes the download (including an immediate download of "The First Noel"), bonus tracks, Christmas themed buttons and 25 Awesome cards (no, literally--the cards say "Have An Awesome Christmas") which will probably come in handy at some point this Christmas. The cover artwork is also a Zachary Russell original, I believe.

I'm not exactly sure what to do with this one. Do I put it on the List? Do I not? I know that, if I don't at least mention it, some of you will be very upset. The group is Bloodsucking Zombies From Outer Space and the album is "Bloody Unholy Christmas". Thing is there are only two Christmas tracks, near as I can tell, while the rest of the albums runs the gamut from Michel Jackson's "Thriller" to that stripping classic "Let Me Entertain You" (well, OK, it wasn't originally, but its what I always think of when I hear the title). The covers, as done by this Horror Punk outfit from Austria, are kinda cool. I love their take on "Der Kommissar", for example. And how many Punk bands cover "Science Fiction/Double Feature" from Rocky Horror? The fact remains those aren't Christmas songs. Not remotely.

The album opens with the title cut (an original, I'm guessing). You know what? British Christmas songs always sound like other British Christmas songs (you know the ones). It probably isn't a conscious thing. But even at their break-neck pace, "Bloody Unholy Christmas" sounds a little bit more like "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" than it probably should. The album closes with "Merry Xmas Everybody", which sounds an awful lot like "Merry Xmas Everybody". Coincidence? I think not.

In any case, the Bloodsucking Zombies are Austrian, so you already know its gonna be an Import. No listings yet, but Rough Trade will be carrying "Bloody Unholy Christmas" and it will be available in both CD and color vinyl formats. If you want the download or just the two Christmas songs, you can pick those up at Amazon.

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XO PUBLICITY - XO FOR THE HOLIDAYS, VOLUME IX

11/12/2016

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1. EagleWolfSnake - Make it Glow
2. Texture & Light - I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas
3. Andrew Joslyn & The Local Strangers - Under Mistletoe
4. Bill Berry - 'Twas the Night After Christmas
5. Occurrence - This Is How You Know (It's The Holidays)
6. Magnuson - Silent Night
7. Piney Gir - Love Is A Christmas Rose
8. Blue Skies For Black Hearts - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy

DOWNLOAD FREE FROM XO PUBLICITY

Ah, yes. Traditions. We love 'em. And few traditions are better than those that involve free Christmas music--especially free Christmas music that is outstanding. The fine folks at XO Publicity are still in the game, now presenting "XO For The Holidays, Volume IX". I don't know that I ever thought much about the overall pacing of the XO collections before this year, but that may be because the pacing of Volume IX is spot on. New contributors to discover and some old favorites back for another go--Magnuson, Blue Skies For Black Hearts, Piney Gir. What would Christmas be without Piney Gir? Hopefully, we'll never have to find out. Piney Gir, to me, is this generation's Bing Crosby (Or perhaps I should say Perry Como since "Love Is A Christmas Rose" was one of his). You can have your Buble; I gotta have my Piney Gir. Speaking of...supposedly no Buble Christmas special this year. Maybe my Piney Gir could slide in there. I'll get to the rest of the XO set in a sec. But I'm gonna jump right to dessert, just below this vid, if that's OK by you (and even if its not).

THE LOCAL STRANGERS

It remains a sad truth of my life in recent years that, if you don't stick a Christmas song under my nose, I probably don't know you exist. Even then, if it isn't great, I might forget you by the next Christmas. Well we have an early contender for best new Christmas song of the year and I won't ever forget Andrew Joslyn & The Local Strangers. I mean I lit up like a happy little Christmas tree as soon as "Under Mistletoe" started and, by the time the song was done, I had goosebumps and every hair on the back of my neck was at full attention (my body's "it's a hit" detector). The Local Strangers are a Seattle Alt Folk group whose specialty is ecstasy inducing harmonies. Andrew Joslyn is the man who supplies the strings. Yes, strings. "Under Mistletoe" is what happens when you combine all of the elements of a rich 50s Christmas standard with elements of early 60s soulful Pop and modern Indie sensibilities. And the lyrics are brilliant--they flow easy as though they were conceived through divine intervention. "Whiskey Lemon Honey Cloves/Darlin', please take off your clothes/And I'll kiss you slow/Under mistletoe." All together, the song is at once nostalgic and new, thoroughly 21st century yet timeless. Goosebumps. Goosebumps I tellz ya. I wish I had a clip to play for you, but its actually good that I don't. Because now you have no choice but to head over to XO Publicity immediately and grab the free download. Goosebumps! I hope this is the forerunner of an entire Christmas album from The Local Strangers and Andrew. Damn, it gets better every time I listen to it.

BLUE SKIES FOR BLACK HEARTS

OK, so what else we got here? "XO For The Holidays, Vol. IX" kicks off with San Francisco's EagleWolfSnake, an Indie Pop Rock band. This band sure knows a good hook when they right one. "Make It Glow" hits that sweet tooth of mine just right. I swear, the sound is reminding me of a sixties or seventies band and its right on the tip of my tongue...but I can't....I just can't...nope, I can't get it. Oops. I keep trying to get there but, every time I do, my brain goes straight to Donovan's "Atlantis" for some reason. And that ain't it. Ah, well. The group also lists Modest Mouse as one of their influences. So there's that. Which is cool.

Next up, Electronic Dream Rockers Texture & Light provide an interesting cover of Aimee Mann's "I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas". Nestled between "Make It Glow" and "Under Mistletoe", it surprisingly fits right in like the creamy center of an Oreo cookie.

LA funnyman and sometime jingle writer Bill Berry offers up a bawdy, juvenile even, but hilarious folksy Christmas Blues, "Twas The Night After Christmas". Contains Adult Themes, sexual situations, and strong language. Although, to be honest, after listening to some of that Rudy Ray Moore album a couple of days ago, pretty much everything is tame in comparison. Now, me, I tend to shy away from "funny" on my holiday mixes. But I know some of you are definitely going to want to include "Twas The Night After Christmas" on yours.

New York is apparently the home to Occurence, an experimental post-apocalyptic Electronic Dance Pop outfit. And I'm the wrong guy to ask about this one. Not my thing, really. But very cutting edge and avant garde. I think. Their selection is "This Is How You Know (It's The Holidays)". I got a million jokes I could play with, here (and, hey, they're New Yorkers; they don't give a crap what I think anyway, right?), but I'll pass and let you make up your own mind.

"Silent Night", when done by the Progy Rock group Magnuson, has a more ominous vibe than you usually get from that carol. But it rocks. It's a little bit 70s Hard Rock meets up with Metallica and then goes out to the deli with Black Sabbath and Emerson Lake and Palmer kinda thing. Does that cover it?

We already covered Piney Gir covering Como. And the set closes with a fairly faithful rendition of "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" from Blue Skies For Black Hearts. This version, honestly, sounds a bit more sincere and genuine than the Bowie-Bing take--probably because they didn't bury the thing in strings and such. Nice way to end this year's collection.

So there you have it...8 songs for Vol. IX of "XO For The Holidays". If you haven't already, go over there now and get you some. And don't forget that all eight of their previous Christmas collections can still be yours, courtesy of XO Publicity. They're good like that.

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WHEN BLACK FRIDAY COMES

11/11/2016

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Traditions! We had that whole talk earlier while discussing this year's crop of Snowflakes Singles (by the way, did you order yours yet?).

Well, Black Friday--that day after Thanksgiving when people think nothing of trampling their fellow man (or woman) to save a few bucks on a widescreen TV only to find the same model on sale for less a couple weeks later--has almost come and gone as a tradition. Stores, desperate for holiday traffic, keep moving their Black Friday sales up to the point where....I think we already missed it. But Black Friday Record Store Day...that's vinyl of a different color.

I love the idea of Black Friday Record Store Day. The local independent record stores should be supported all year long, but a lot of folks aren't even aware they exist. So, with its tempting buffet of limited edition collectors items only available at the local record store, people seek out the participating shops in their vicinity. It gets them through the door and now they know, right? Go watch the opening scene of "Jingle Bell Rocks" and tell me that isn't more fun than punching keys for an online purchase.

Sadly, in my area, we have no participating record shops. The one I used to go to closed down while the other only participates in the Record Store Day earlier in the year--never the Black Friday one. You can check to find the participating shop nearest to you here. Either way, we do like looking in the virtual store window, here, to see what goodies the Christmas Vinyl Santa has brought down the chimney.

Let's see. We already told you about the RUN DMC 12" picture disc of "Christmas In Hollis" and the Brown Vinyl "scented" release of South Park's "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" from SONY. Both are limited to just 3000 copies. What else we got?

The one that I'd be most interested in is the Fantasy collection, "Jazz Dispensary: Holiday Treats". Look at that beautiful Candy Red vinyl. Yum! Ain't She Sweet? Nothing new on here, though a few of these tracks may be elusive to newcomers. Side One brings the Funk and Soul with Booker T., Rufus Thomas, and the Jive Turkeys. Side Two rolls out the Jazz from Don Patterson, Kenny Burrell and others. Actually, the Jive Turkeys track is kind of recent and we'll have more to say about them in a bit. "Jazz Dispensary: Holiday Treats" is limited to just 1500 copies and is a Record Store Day Exclusive.

Recognize the picture sleeve for this one? No you don't. It was a trick question. Jethro Tull released a 4-somg Christmas 7" back around 1976. "A Christmas Song" had first appeared as a 1969 B-side in the UK, then on "Living In The Past" in 1972. And the obvious "must have" tune from the '76 EP was "Ring Out ,Solstice Bells" (which would show up on the '77 LP "Songs From The Wood"). The original EP also included "March The Mad Scientist" and "Pan Dance".

This limited edition (to 2000) Jethro Tull Record Store Day exclusive contains "A Christmas Song" and "Another Christmas Song" (originally released in 1989). But the other two tracks are new. Well, new-ish, as they are both remixed versions of "Ring Out, Solstice Bells". The second of those, "Magic Bells", was produced by Mike Batt and intended for a Christmas single but was never released. If you can't make Record Store Day, the two remixes will also appear on a re-mixed "Songs From The Wood" in 2017.

Another Record Store Day exclusive is the RED Vinyl 7" of Bob & Doug McKenzie's "12 Days Of Christmas". Bob & Doug, of course, were characters developed by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas for SCTV. A couple of hosers, eh? Same B-side as the original--"Take Off" featuring Geddy Lee. This one is limited to 3000.

The Chairman of The Board, Frank Sinatra puts in an appearance with a colored vinyl 7" of "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Waltz". The write-up says "7" white colored 'Italian' vinyl single in picture sleeve." I'm just not understanding the "Italian" reference. Frank's record is also limited to 3000.

The last of the Record Store Day exclusives is a vinyl re-pressing of Rudy Ray Moore's classic album "This Ain't No White Christmas". If you're not familiar, let's say up front--PARENTAL GUIDANCE strongly SUGGESTED. Rudy Ray Moore was one of many who made what were called "Party Records"--a term that was given to albums that were too racy (in content and cover art) to be displayed with the rest of the store's inventory. They were "under the counter" records. They were largely sold on "word of mouth". The tradition of "Party Records" dated back to, oh, I'd say the 30s and featured acts built in Night Clubs and Vaudeville (and usually recorded live), but the trend really took off with the introduction of the LP record. There were plenty of Jewish and Italian comics specializing in "Party Records" and the African-American community had artists like Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and Rudy Ray Moore. The records could be comedy or cute double-entendre songs or a combination of both. In the case of "This Ain't No White Christmas", Rudy Ray Moore had songs, stories, poetry...usually liberally loaded with expletives. This pressing of "This Ain't No White Christmas" is limited to 1200.

The next Record Store Day category is "Limited Run / Regional Focus". This category focuses on independent artists and labels and may or may not be at your local record store if the artist in question isn't from your region. We've got one Christmas release in this category, but it's top notch. The Connection are mostly known in the New England region, but Stubby's regulars should recall that we covered their 2014 holiday release, "A Christmas Gift For...". For Record Store Day, The Connection has pressed 300 copies of "A Christmas Gift For...", randomly on opaque RED or GREEN vinyl.

And, finally, there are those Record Store Day releases which will turn up at online retailers at some point, but they get rolled out at the record shops on Black Friday first. We have two holiday releases in this group (though there's also a Big Star release containing a demo of "Jesus Christ"). The first is the Christmas Tree shaped color vinyl 12" single from Wynton Marsalis, featuring two previously unreleased songs from the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra--"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Little Drummer Boy". This collector's item single is limited to 1000 copies. We did show that one on our list with a November 18 release, but the listing has since been pulled by Amazon. Amazon could possibly still get some version of the single, but Black Friday Record Store Day gets it first.

I believe we've saved the best for last. But first, I said up top we'd get back to the Jive Turkeys. Their single (which I believe was originally issued in 2010) is being released on Black Friday, though it may not have anything to do with Record Store Day. This release features "Get Down Santa" and the "Funky Jesus" flip pressed to GREEN vinyl and is limited to 300 copies. Order here while they last.

And, finally, there's a new Christmas single coming from the fantastic California Alt Rock/Punk group The Regrettes. I love this group. It's raw Rock, for sure, but The Regrettes also know how to write a good hook. Check out a few of the group's songs on Soundcloud (my fave there is "Seashore"; what a wonderful track). I'd drop in a track for you, here, but they can at times be prone to profanity. For Black Friday Record Store Day, the group has recorded their cover of "Marshmallow World" pressed to white vinyl and tucked into a marshmallow scented picture sleeve. How cool is that? And I'm betting their take on "Marshmallow World" is going to be amazing. A nice healthy run of 3000 on this one.

That's the list, as well as we know it, of Christmas releases getting the Black Friday Record Store Day roll out. That's November 25, if you were wondering. On your mark, get set........

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LISTEN TO THE SNOWFLAKES

10/30/2016

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I think if you're a Christmas music fan, you pretty much have to be a fan of "Traditions". When do you put up your Christmas tree? Is it real or artificial? Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Cranberries, yay or nay? Traditions. They're an important part of what makes Christmas Christmas. And, no, Traditions don't have to be etched in stone. Its more like they're written in the snow. Things do change from time to time and new traditions are born every year.

In the context of what we do, here, it's about the music. I love our musical traditions. But I don't have much control over which ones end and which ones live another year. I'm, frankly, heartbroken, that there are (probably) not going to be any more Santastic collections. I loved that tradition. Suburban Sprawl no longer does their annual thing, either (although, given how much free holiday music they've provided over the years--hundreds of hours of it--I can't get too upset with them).

The Christmas single, itself, was a tradition. Nay, more than tradition, it was an institution. And I'm talking about vinyl, here--something real and tangible you can hold in your hands. It's almost a religious experience to put that sucker on the turntable, lift the tone-arm, drop it back down (carefully), and then listen. There's even something cool about watching it spin around as the notes wash over you from the speakers.

The physical Christmas single was an endangered species as the world moved on to digital platforms. I get it. It's cheaper to make and easier to carry with you. It's just not the same. In our darkest hour, a hero stepped forward. Just a lover of Christmas music, singles, and tradition like the rest of us. But Robert Voogt wasn't content to talk about the weather; he was going to do something about it. And so he founded the Snowflakes Christmas Singles Club. The concept was simple, but brilliant. Identify great emerging bands from all around the globe and invite them to record two seasonal songs--one original and one cover--press them in very limited numbers on quality color vinyl (usually white...snowflakes, see) and then offer them up for sale. You know the kind of love and care you'd put into making a Christmas single if you were doing it, right? Because you'd care about every detail. Robert is as much a fan as you are, so you get that kind of love and care from him. If you think this is some grand money making enterprise for Robert, you'd be wrong. The tradition is the thing and he just hopes to break even (and sometimes he doesn't). That's love, man. Nothing less. Its not as though he's a man of means (by no means....yeah, yeah, king of the road, I know). And that's why I call him a hero.

This is year 4 for the Snowflakes and there are 4 singles (so its a 4x4). Yay! Tradition! They will each be pressed onto snowflake white vinyl, slipped into a sturdy picture sleeve, and limited to precisely 300 copies each. Robert expects these to ship in mid-November (if you buy through Snowflakes Singles) so you should have them by the release date of November 25. And you can buy the ones you like or save money by bundling up the whole set.

So now its time to introduce you to this year's Snowflakes Singles. As the audio isn't up yet, I'm going to drop in a more-or-less random track to give you a feel for the artist.

ROPE STORE -- NEVER HAD CHRISTMAS / A WINTER'S TALE

I predict this one will be very popular. The UK band Rope Store is an Indie Pop duo with soulful overtones. Their sound is very early 60s. The band's original, "Never Had Christmas", draws a bit from Glam, which makes sense as some of the most beloved Christmas singles from England were Glam Rock faves like "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" and "Merry Christmas Everybody". For the flip, the band is covering "A Winter's Tale", the Christmas song David Essex did in 1982. Check out Rope Store's "What Life's All About" and I believe you'll have identified your new favorite band. (Ignore the Santa hats, though; it was released last Christmas but isn't really a Christmas song, per se). You can pre-order Rope Store's Snowflakes Single here if you're not buying the whole set.

THE HAYWAINS -- WHO NEEDS SUMMER? / SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

An Indie Twee Pop/Jangle Punk Pop group, also from the UK, The Haywains seem to be fascinated with all things summer as it sure felt like they have a lot of tracks with "summer" in the title. So its good to see them breaking out, trying new things, writing a winter song...called "Who Needs Summer?" Actually, their song titles are great--"Your Point Of View Doesn't Count", "Pull The Other One", "Why Do I Get The Feeling Your Mother Hates Me?", "What's Your Latest Excuse?", "Guess I Should've Kicked His Head In", "Sorry Isn't Enough". Admit it. If you were writing songs, those are the kinds of titles you'd want to come up with. "Who Needs Summer?" is a catchy Indie Pop number with all the Christmas music boxes checked (including background vocals from children). You're gonna love it. The Haywains pair that one with a Pop Punk rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". If you're buying separates, pre-order the Haywains' Snowflakes Single here. And, for your listening pleasure, here's "They Don't Like Us" from "Bobbie Gentry's Tears".

MANHATTAN LOVE SUICIDES -- LOOK WHO'S COMING TO TOWN / GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER

The Manhattan Love Suicides, from Leeds, were an underground fave in the aughts (roughly 2006 - 2009), then they split up for a while, reforming in 2013. They're an unapologetic throwback Indie Alt Rock band inspired by groups like The Velvet Underground and the Jesus and Mary Train. Their original Christmas side is "Look Who's Coming To Town (Please Let It Snow)" and Robert describes this one as "an angry sounding snarling creature". You say that like it's a bad thing. ;^) And, from Robert's description of the cover ("echo-drenched murder ballad"), I think we may have finally found a band that "gets" "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer". This is not a joke song you should be laughing about. A woman just got killed here! Geez, were you raised in a barn or something? I'm thinking Little Steven's gonna love this one. Grab Manhattan Love Suicides' Snowflakes Single here, unless you're bundling. The group is on Bandcamp these days, but I want to reach back to a track I like from the old days, "Head Over Heels".

HANNAH EPPERSON -- RAISE THE WHITE FLAG / DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

Our last Snowflakes Single for 2016 is from Hannah Epperson. Hannah was born in Salt Lake City. She lived in Canada for awhile, then New York, and I think she's back in the Great White North these days. She is, how you say, unique (like a Snowflake...everything is connected). It's kinda tough to slap a label on Hannah's music, but I'll foolishly take a stab at it. Neo-Classical Ambient Folk Rock. Did I stick the landing? Ah, man, the Russian judge is giving me a 2. "Two?" (it's ponderous, man...inside joke that I suspect few of you will get....but the band is having a good laugh). Hannah creates soundscapes. She plays the violin, but probably not like any violinist you've ever heard. And her voice is perfect for what she does. Hannah's original Christmas song is "Raise The White Flag", which she calls "post-apocalyptic" and "deeply somber". And there's a theme of loss--of youth, of innocence, of whatever it is that one loses upon getting older. Hannah is so unique, I'm going to have to hear it to understand it. But Hannah's cover song is "White Christmas" and I can almost hear in my head what that could sound like as done by Hannah. If it sounds the way I'm hearing it in my head, it's going to be amazing. Hannah has rechristened the song "Dreaming Of A White Christmas" and, once you've heard her, you are going to agree that that was perfectly appropriate and appropriately perfect. If Hannah Epperson's Snowflakes Single is the one you want, you can pre-order it here. From Hannah's high concept album "Upsweep", lend an ear to "Farthest Distance".

So there you have it...the class of 2016. Let's make this the best Christmas ever. If you're buying the full set, well, here's your link for that. I've already got my order in, so there are no more than 299 copies of each left. I'm sure the audio will be up soon at Bandcamp (you can check out the Snowflakes from the past three years, if you missed them before). And you can read more on the Snowflakes Singles Facebook page. Also lots of good tips on Robert's blog about other Christmas singles, once he fires that sucker up again for the new season.

Thank you, once again, Robert. No one else was going to do this. You continue to be my Christmas hero.

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