A new and improved Xmas playlist for those fatigued by FM radio.
The Flaming Lips – “Christmas At The Zoo”
The Flaming Lips have always had a fixation on Christmas – spending seven plus years working on a Christmas movie set in space should give you an idea of that. It makes sense considering their enjoyment of joyful bombast at every one of their shows, and the Christmas season seems to embody the same kind of warm, confetti-filled excitement those shows carry. This song is from “Clouds Taste Metallic,” an excellent record, and their last with guitar whiz kid Ronald Jones.
Kanye West – “Christmas In Harlem”
Hot off the heels of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” Kanye West continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. This tribute to the upper numbered streets of NYC, is a star studded family gathering of some of Harlem’s finest, featuring Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Teyana Taylor, and some others like Pusha T and Big Sean who are not actually from there, but does it really matter? It’s Christmas!
Best Coast & Wavves – “Got Something For You”
Just because Best Coast and Wavves make sun kissed summertime pop, doesn’t mean they can’t team up and bring in a little yuletide charm. This is a track they made for a Target compilation this year – a prelude to the tour they’ll be doing together early in 2011.
The Ventures – “Snow Flakes”
“The Ventures’ Christmas Album,” is a pretty groovy listen for the most part. Some of the tracks have been used in tacky commercials since its 1965 release, but it still has that great go-go rock sound, even if it’s a style more associated with surfing than sledding. One track that does manage to capture the winter allure is “Snow Flakes,” a chimey rendition of “Greensleeves” that sounds like it should be in a Christmas based spy movie.
Tegan & Sara – “The Chipmunk Song (Don’t Be Late)”
I’ve never been a fan of this track as I don’t like Alvin & The Chipmunks. But this version, from a Warner Bros. compilation released this year called “Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In” plays around with the sped-up tape sound of the chipmunks voices and highlights the melody, which is actually pretty nice.
Bob Dylan – “Must Be Santa”
Arguably the greatest Christmas music video ever, featuring Dylan as a host of a rollicking Christmas party. Dylan’s random “Christmas In The Heart” album was a left field release last year, but one I’m happy to say is on its way to becoming part of my yearly tradition.
Sufjan Stevens – “Star Of Wonder”
It’s hard picking a favorite Sufjan Stevens Christmas song. Back in 2001, Stevens began recording an EP of Holiday tunes for his friends and family which he continued to do annually. Once he completed his fifth one, he released them commercially in a box set simply titled, “Songs For Christmas.” Over the course of the five discs, it’s easy to get lost in the holiday cheer, each entry outdoing its predecessor in songwriting, arrangement, and performance. This song is my current favorite, capturing the frosty melancholic glow of Christmas, climaxing in a wondrous singalong.
Tracey Thorn – “Sister Winter”
When you can only pick one Stevens song, you can cheat by throwing in a cover by somebody else. Probably the second best track from his box set, Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn covers “Sister Winter,” as a free download from her website. It’s a gorgeous Stevens ballad which follows the same program as “Star of Wonder”– a sad, cold opening which eventually builds to a powerful, inspiring coda.
The Magnetic Fields – “Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree”
Stephin Merritt has always been a grumpy fellow to the extent where I feel like he might not even celebrate Christmas. But his songs are more about portraying caricatures than himself. This is a fun little folk song with a gang vocal verse sung in German, from their most recent album, “Realism.”
Beck – “Little Drum Machine Boy”
An epic dance/funk fest that bridges the gap between Christmas and Hanukah. Complete with eardrum piercing beat-box solos, funky robots, and a Hannukah pimp chant that brings the song to its inevitable destruction. From the 1995 Geffen comp “Just Say Noel.”
Prince – “Another Lonely Christmas”
A truly underrated Christmas track from the Purple One, “Another Lonely Christmas” is probably the only song concerning the holiday that contains lyrics about skinny dipping. That aside, it’s a heartbreaking tune. When the story unfolds, it’s revealed that the reason he’s having yet another lonely Christmas, is not because the girl left him, but because she passed away (sorry if that ruined it for you.) B-side from the “I Would Die 4 U” single.
Bright Eyes – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
My favorite Christmas song performed by Connor Oberst’s Saddle Creek crew. Naturally it’s a bit on the sad side. Actually, it’s kind of devastating. One can only wonder from what mental state Oberst and Tilly and the Wall’s Neely Jenkins are singing it from, as it sounds like they can barely even hold it together – each sound quivering in the ambiance. From “A Christmas Album,” released in 2002.
The Smashing Pumpkins – “Christmastime”
The Smashing Pumpkins were such a big part of my childhood, that for them to have permanently soundtracked my Christmas season with this song seems like a given. It’s decadent and schmaltzy enough to have always been there– a song that bears no resemblance to the 90′s sound which defined the group, but to a long tradition of lush holiday classics.
Easy-E – “Merry Mutherfuckin Christmas”
This is the most ridiculous Christmas song ever made. It leaves nothing out– it’s vulgar, juvenile, violent, misogynist, overlong, annoying, and most of all hysterical. Go out Christmas night and crank this shit!
Hope I helped spread some holiday cheer into your ears. Merry Christmas from all of us at Death and Taxes!
December 21, 2010 at 2:48 am, Sean said:
I wanted to hear something different this year too so I made a great Christmas Blues playlist on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/view_pl…
December 22, 2010 at 11:03 pm, Frances Miller said:
I can't believe you forgot Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC!
December 27, 2010 at 11:53 pm, broorno said:
Best Coast and Wavves?? song for Target comp??? double fail.
December 27, 2010 at 11:55 pm, broorno said:
missing this too- http://www.youtubeDOTcom/watch?v=ErR9mghM0xo