Christmas Music 2014 Edition
December 3, 2014 10:34 PM Subscribe
I'm on the lookout for fresh Christmas music. Pretty much anything goes. What's new, good, unusual, or just plain worth a listen?
It's more than 40 years old, but maybe it's new to you..
John Fahey -- The New Possibility
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:59 PM on December 3, 2014
John Fahey -- The New Possibility
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:59 PM on December 3, 2014
My friends in New Zealand produced this album A Very Little Christmas (free) a few years ago. I think it's rather brilliant.
posted by teststrip at 11:06 PM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by teststrip at 11:06 PM on December 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Old to very old, but highly recommended
Aquarium Drunkard's Xmas miXes
posted by gijsvs at 1:16 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Aquarium Drunkard's Xmas miXes
posted by gijsvs at 1:16 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
According to Gizmodo: Seth MacFarlane Made a Christmas Album And It's Actually Very Good
posted by KatlaDragon at 4:24 AM on December 4, 2014
posted by KatlaDragon at 4:24 AM on December 4, 2014
Pedro the Lion's version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is pretty great, as is the album "Snow Angels" by Over the Rhine.
On a very different vibe, "I Want an Alien for Christmas" by Fountains of Wayne, "Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking" by Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Neko Case (!) and "A Great Big Sled" by The Killers.
posted by jbickers at 5:54 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
On a very different vibe, "I Want an Alien for Christmas" by Fountains of Wayne, "Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking" by Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Neko Case (!) and "A Great Big Sled" by The Killers.
posted by jbickers at 5:54 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Earth Wind & Fire just released their first Christmas album, Holiday.
posted by oceanjesse at 6:08 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 6:08 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'd like to second Over the Rhine's "Snow Angels," which is my go-to festive album! Bluesy, jazzy, sexy, not overly-traditional. Just lovely. I listen to it every year, and usually try to see them in person.
They also have a new album just out, "Blood Oranges in the Snow," but I haven't heard it just yet. I'm sure it'll be gorgeous.
posted by spelunkingplato at 7:31 AM on December 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
They also have a new album just out, "Blood Oranges in the Snow," but I haven't heard it just yet. I'm sure it'll be gorgeous.
posted by spelunkingplato at 7:31 AM on December 4, 2014 [3 favorites]
Pentatonix's 2014 Christmas album is pretty great - in particular, their original That's Christmas to Me.
posted by loolie at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by loolie at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Mark Kozelek has a Christmas album out this year.
I also really like Mark Lanegan's Christmas album, Dark Mark Does Christmas (2012).
And the compilation album Count Your Blessings.
posted by fourpotatoes at 8:23 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
I also really like Mark Lanegan's Christmas album, Dark Mark Does Christmas (2012).
And the compilation album Count Your Blessings.
posted by fourpotatoes at 8:23 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
This is a Christmas spoof more than anything else, but I figure it's worth passing along. Can't attach links from the computer I'm on right now though.
The albums "A Very Scary Christmas" and "An Even Scarier Christmas" are made up of songs using the lore and general fandom of H.P. Lovecraft and similar horror put to the tune of well-known holiday songs. I played several of these songs at a family holiday party; only a few people noticed, but it made for a great inside joke.
posted by Urban Winter at 8:37 AM on December 4, 2014
The albums "A Very Scary Christmas" and "An Even Scarier Christmas" are made up of songs using the lore and general fandom of H.P. Lovecraft and similar horror put to the tune of well-known holiday songs. I played several of these songs at a family holiday party; only a few people noticed, but it made for a great inside joke.
posted by Urban Winter at 8:37 AM on December 4, 2014
Jesu's 2010 post-metal/sludgecore track Christmas was, apparently, inspired by "the onset of the Christmas period and the onset of emotions and feelings of nostalgia, joy and sadness that the period often evokes." So I guess it qualifies.
posted by Sonny Jim at 10:50 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Sonny Jim at 10:50 AM on December 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Seconding Over The Rhine. They have 3 Christmas albums, all very different, all quite good. They created a free Noisetrade sampler with cuts from all 3 albums.
If you've never heard Kenny Burrell's Have Yourself A Soulful Christmas, you're missing out.
posted by eustacescrubb at 10:53 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you've never heard Kenny Burrell's Have Yourself A Soulful Christmas, you're missing out.
posted by eustacescrubb at 10:53 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Last year's Christmas album by Nick Lowe, Quality Street, is quite good and not cloying. Here's a sample.
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:57 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:57 AM on December 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Porter Music Box Christmas Treasures are magical sounding in a non-sappy kind of way. Here's a sample.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:12 PM on December 4, 2014
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:12 PM on December 4, 2014
Postmodern Jukebox just released their Christmas album.
posted by kathryn at 4:06 PM on December 4, 2014
posted by kathryn at 4:06 PM on December 4, 2014
Response by poster: Really helpful and interesting answers so far. Thanks so much, maybe this Christmas won't suck after all!
posted by mazola at 7:29 AM on December 5, 2014
posted by mazola at 7:29 AM on December 5, 2014
I recommend A Christmas Cornucopia by Annie Lennox. I also love the single Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights) by JD McPherson.
posted by initapplette at 2:51 PM on December 18, 2014
posted by initapplette at 2:51 PM on December 18, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by vrakatar at 10:48 PM on December 3, 2014 [1 favorite]