If you're like me then you hear the words "Christmas" and "music" together and you cringe thinking about all the Bubles and Grobans who are going to make a bunch of undeserved cash rehashing boring done-to-death songs with no originality. In recent years, however, I have discovered some pretty amazing indie and alternative renditions of Christmas songs and holiday themed songs that I wanted to spend this month sharing with all of you!
Track 1 - "All I Want for Christmas is You" by My Chemical Romance
Everyone remembers the rowdy rendition of this song featured in the climax of Love Actually(yeah, i love that movie... so what?) My Chemical Romance pull this song off quite nicely.
Track 2 - "Candy Cane Children" by The White Stripes
I'm sure I've said it before, but Jack White can do no wrong.
Track 3 - "December is for Cynics" by The Matches
The Matches can always be counted on for fun songs.
Track 4 - "Believe in Me" by fun.
This is one of the first tracks released by fun two years ago.
Track 5 - "Little Drummer Boy" by The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols completely made this classic their own.
Track 6 - "Christmas Party (featuring Nicole Sheahan)" by The Walkmen
The way this song is half narrated and half sung reminds me of those old Peanuts Christmas specials(which are fantastic).
Track 7 - "Xmas Cake" by Rilo Kiley
A somber introspective Christmas song from the always-wonderful Rilo Kiley.
Track 8 - "In This Home on Ice" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
CYHSY fought their way into my heart with their bubbly, melodic noise-pop sound.
Track 9 - "All That I Want" by The Weepies
The Weepies are comprised of a husband and wife which makes all the romantic overtones so much sweeter. This isn't unrequited love or lost love; these two have found each other.
Track 10 - "When I Get Home for Christmas" by Snow Patrol
This is a cheery song about a couple who are struggling through a recent infidelity during the holidays.
Track 11 - "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" by Frightened Rabbit
A song about the duplicitous nature of pretending to be good people once a year then falling right back into our old routines.
Track 12 - "Sister Winter" by Sufjan Stevens
Nobody has quite mastered holiday songs like Sufjan Stevens. Between 2001 and 2006 he made five Christmas EPs for friends and family and later released all the EPs as a box set. He has his own versions of classic carols as well as original music that fits the theme so I have included this original track as well as a cover as the finale of this mix.
Track 13 - "Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)" by Death Cab For Cutie
What can I say? Benjamin Gibbard is always charming.
Track 14 - "12.23.95" by Jimmy Eat World
This has actually been a Christmas staple of mine since high school from my favorite Jimmy Eat World album, "Clarity".
Track 15 - "The First Song" by Band of Horses
Really weird lyrics in this song... But I swear it's Christmas themed.
Track 16 - "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion is the moniker under which singer-songwriter David Bazan performs. His songs are often about his problems with religion and his ex-wife. You can hear the sardonic tone that this song is steeped in.
Track 17 - "Holly Jolly Christmas" by The Format
In stark contrast to the previous song this Format rendition of "Holly Jolly Christmas" is as sincere as they come.
Track 18 - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes released a Christmas album and this is my favorite song from it.
Track 19 - "Listening to Otis Redding at Home During Christmas" by Okkervil River
One of my first concerts(other than the all-ages punk shows I frequented in my youth) was an Azure Ray show at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco. The Elected and Okkervil River opened that show and one was terrible and the other was amazing respectively.
Track 20 - "Come Thou Fount of Ever Blessing" by Sufjan Stevens
I am completely blown away by this track. It brings me to the brink of tears every time I hear it. Sufjan sings with such emotion and soul and the twang of his banjo is the perfect accompaniment.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Eat, drink, give, love and be merry!
