Candy My Cane

November 24, 2006 5:22 PM

I'm looking for some good indie-pop holiday music, preferrably in various artists format.

Sufjan's album makes me nasueous. Kindercore is dead. My Pal God and Total Gaylord aren't putting out comps this year. Any recommendations for good (indie/twee/blip-hop/freak-folk, etc) x-mas or chanukkah compilations?

posted by mds35 to media & arts (26 answers total)

There is a Bright Eyes Xmas album that I quite like. Not a compilation unfortunately. The version of "Little Drummer Boy" totally rocks.
posted by apostrophe at 5:40 PM on November 24, 2006

SANTA DOESN'T COP OUT ON DOPE
posted by four panels at 5:40 PM on November 24, 2006

Oh jeez, Sufjan Steven's five-disc box-set, "Songs for Christmas."
posted by Milkman Dan at 5:41 PM on November 24, 2006

London's XFM did this album a few years back.

We like it at my house.
posted by genghis at 5:44 PM on November 24, 2006

Ah yes, also, Canadian artist Hawksley Workman has a fun little Christmas EP called "Almost a Full Moon."

In my experience, there aren't too many Christmas compilations filled with high-quality indie music, so I usually put together my own playlists. Just make sure it has Tom Waits' version of "Silent Night" on it.

(Last note: Blind Boys of Alabama, while not at all indie but certainly good music, have a Christmas album called Go Tell It on the Mountain.)
posted by Milkman Dan at 5:49 PM on November 24, 2006

"Music from the OC: Mix 3" is Christmas music.
posted by smackfu at 5:59 PM on November 24, 2006

Some of the songs from "The 8 Bits of Christmas" (scroll down) are fun.
posted by interrobang at 6:04 PM on November 24, 2006

Ignore the fact that Avril Lavigne is on this and check it out. Also take a look at Bing Bang Holidang by Bleu and others (old, a little dated), and my personal favorite, Channukah Rocks by the Leevees.
posted by brina at 6:18 PM on November 24, 2006

Low released a Christmas record about 5 or so years ago that's pretty good.
posted by jdl at 6:19 PM on November 24, 2006

John Fahey is a progenitor of the current-day freak folk scene. His 1968 Christmas album, New Possibilities, is a keeper. It's edgy but not edgy enough that Auntie Edna will want you to turn off that darned noise for the love of pete!
posted by aparrish at 6:23 PM on November 24, 2006

Ignore the fact that Avril Lavigne is on this and check it out.

from the top Amazon review:
Next is a very intriguing song called "Xmas Cake" by Rilo Kiley. I have no idea who she is (or most of the artists on this album for that matter) but I'll have to check out some of her other work.

tee hee. Anyway I really really like The McGarrigle Christmas Hour. It's a combination of traditionals and originals- technically all performed by "The McGarrigle family" but that encompasses a lot of people, notably Rufus Wainright.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:45 PM on November 24, 2006

And I like the Bright Eyes album too. Technically it has his name on it, but I know at least "White Christmas" is sung by a woman- actually I suspect it to be Ms. "Rilo Kiley" herself.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:47 PM on November 24, 2006

oh I guess it's not technically "indie," but the Phil Spector Christmas album from back in the day is really really great.
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:53 PM on November 24, 2006

There was this released a few years ago, still pretty good.
posted by scodger at 6:54 PM on November 24, 2006

To follow on brina's link, all three albums in the "Maybe this Christmas..." series are worthwhile, if a bit uneven. If you're willing to go back a bit, Lump of Coal is a genius Christmas album from the early 90's. Out of print, but used copies are out there.
posted by donnagirl at 6:57 PM on November 24, 2006

I second the low christmas album. one of my xmas favorites for years now. For my money "Just like Christmas" is one of the best new holiday songs to come out since... since good holiday songs stopped coming out.
posted by ab3 at 6:59 PM on November 24, 2006

Aimee Mann just released a Christmas album. Sounds like an awful idea, but everything she touches turns to gold, so you gotta give it the benefit of the doubt.
posted by jtajta at 7:17 PM on November 24, 2006

Not indie-pop, but Mojo Nixon and the Toadliquors' Horny Holidays stuffs the stocking for me every year.
posted by Token Meme at 7:27 PM on November 24, 2006

It's not a compilation, but the Barenaked Ladies' Barenaked for the Holidays has some good stuff. Also available as DRM-free MP3 files for download or on a USB flash drive.
posted by mbrubeck at 7:33 PM on November 24, 2006

How about A John Waters Christmas? Not exactly indie rock, but appealing to the same set.
posted by AV at 7:50 PM on November 24, 2006

you seem to have the indie xmas basics covered pretty well already. razzia records (out of sweden) just put out an indie xmas record... you also didn't mention the "christmas underground" cd that planting seeds put out a couple years back. they followed it up with a 5 songs xmas ep a year or so later with a national splits song that wasn't half bad.
posted by noloveforned at 7:57 PM on November 24, 2006

I second XFM's it's a cool cool christmas and interrobang: that 8 bits of christmas is GREAT!
posted by marxfriedrice at 9:02 PM on November 24, 2006

SomaFM.com's Xmas in Frisko stream is a gas, every year, with a mix of indie-pop, loungie, and novelty Christmas tunes.

Give it a listen.
posted by curtm at 9:04 PM on November 24, 2006

The "Maybe This Christmas" series might be worth a look.

I like the Death Cab song on this album, but I haven't really listened to the other ones.
posted by roomwithaview at 10:01 PM on November 24, 2006

I help run a Michigan-based indie label that does an annual holiday comp. Each CD is made up of submissions from all Michigan musicians who feel like contributing (Not just artists on the label). The last four year's worth are online for free here. Lots to sift through, but some gems to be had.
posted by adamkempa at 11:08 PM on November 24, 2006

it's not a compilation, but Christmas with the Vandals is great.
posted by killy willy at 11:04 AM on November 25, 2006