Life After X-awreet

Can we end it upbeat? And by that I mean sickly sweet, drink-the-Kool-aid mind wipey fallout optimism. Hold your breath, here we go.

I’m talking about ’70s spirit guru Rod McKuen barely singing his poem “The Day After Christmas.” This pop love-fest ropes all the daydreamy clichés into one whispery nest of bourgeoise balloon animals. Eye roll!

What sounds like instruments tuning up is Full Band setting up Dennis Hartman’s “Christmas is Over,” an up-with-people paean of all the details a Hallmark movie set decorator could ever need. Groan!

Larry Campanella sings a bit above register to raise magic-awareness. “Can’t It Last a Little After Christmas?” reminds this electronic easy-listening essay with almost-hit notes. Hoo boy!

Perhaps a sweet bluegrass hope from Greg Herman–“After Christmas Song” fights the January blues by not putting away any of the decorations and just pretending! Uh, no.

‘Kay, i can’t keep this up! Meiko finishes out the month with “Maybe Next Year” I’ll be better… a mantra of self improvement slopped over a naughtiness that can’t barely be overlooked. Time to get outta the Christmastime. ‘Cuz it’s got a warrant.

Life After X-I give up

What is there to live for–? Xmas gone, no more hope for humankind….

Okay, we’ve covered the breakups after Xmas, but when the loss of love erases all meaning… Christmas collapses, dude. Listen to the broken-ness of “The Day After Christmas” from the desultory Kate Miller-Heidke and judge the hurt yourself.

Slingshot Dakota bangs the drum loudly for “Day After Christmas,” admitting to the broken emptiness. Owie.

Christmas is Over” says Maxim Rözge, but his dirge jazz is really about how his life is over. Bleak stuff, then kazoos!

Leave me alone–go away! chants The Ladies of Sport in their “Christmas is Over.” Moaning ’80s pop-rock.

Randy Pinchbeck goes all the way (through climate catastrophe) to the endtimes with “‘Twas the Day After Christmas,” a folk dirge with a peppy backbeat.

Life After X-maybe…

Shake it off! The time after Xmas is just time. Neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so. Make it so, Number One.

Kenny Hines takes the ornaments off the tree one by one in his “Post Christmas Song,” reliving the significance from Granny, Santa, and Jesus. It’s all good with his American rock smartness.

John Vosel & The Party Crashers have got more direction with their post-X plans. “Santa Claus is Going to the Super Bowl” with ’80s discount rock’n’roll, so wave your lighters like you didn’t spray your hair.

Life After X-oops

Ever had one of those years where the calendar says Dec. 26 and you don’t know how it got that way? Me neither. But these guys.

It IS possible! The Martini Kings get all ragtime jazzy with “(Whiskey Song) I Slept Through Christmas Day.” This needs relearning, friends of Bill.

Kaz Murphy gets all cowboy with his regret in “Christmas was Yesterday.” Divorced dad unfulfilled promises sung in the best way possible.

Life After X-not there yet

Trains, Planes, Automobiles… sometimes you don’t get home until after Xmas. Is that okay?

Aqua Teen Hunger Force stomps all over the traditional ‘Home for Christmas’ with “I’ll be Home the Day After Christmas.” Potty, pathetic parody. I’ll drink to that.

Hectic Hat swears that “After Christmas” they’ll be home with sweet emo-boy polky pop. The sirens in the background tell another story, though.

Hoping and praying, Madelynne Witt works hard at homewardness “Days After Christmas.” Missing her baby so much. Slow pop with a country influence.

The sentiment sours when that place you grew up is forever lost to you. Tennessee Twin twiddles the bluegrass into gold with “X-Mas is Past.” The blues don’t bring these proud ones down, though. Life goes on, ‘cuz–Jeezus.

Life After X-a word from our sponsor

Did we forget Jesus again? Is Xmas the only time to remember?

Matthew West’s “Day After Christmas” is the syrupy pop that bridges the musicphiles with the eager Christians. It’s tasteful, yet certain. Merry rest of the year.

The Glenn Mohr Chorale take us to church with “The Days After Christmas.” Strong message, lots of good voices, not so much with the harmony though.

Richard Sponaugle, however, walks us through blasphemy, epiphany, and the forgiveness to go on with his bebopping country song “52 Weeks Until Christmas.” No longer to complain and cuss.

Life After X-and if I catch Santa– [BLUE ALERT]

Has Santa ever let YOU down? How does that make you feel after Xmas?

Johnny Setlist has got those “Post-Christmas Blues” for the reasons that no Santa, no presents, and even no snow inflict upon him. Humming, strumming actual blues. But ironic. (Which is not a blues thing.)

When Young Tom doesn’t get what was on his list, Same Time Tomorrow hard rocks the response in “The Day After Christmas.” Careful! When he still doesn’t get it another year after THAT, (BLUE ALERT) he’s even less satisfied.

Life After X-hello–

The party’s moved on, the house has emptied–what’s that echoing sound?

Well, Santa is feeling the sudden changes. With hard rock blues, Big Johnson and The Thrusters troll the ancient Yuletide carol with “Day After Christmas.” He’s lonely now.

Soothing crooning from Walt Hoagland: “It was the Night After Christmas.” But it’s without you. So it actually sucks.

Measured blues from Steve and Jacky Cox, “The Week After Christmas” regrets the whole damn year. Glad that it’s over. Poor me. (Good song.)

Life After X-woo-o-oo

Sometimes the mixed up feelings after Christmas has rolled over us cause hard to define anxieties/peevishness. Let’s suffer along….

No more presents to unwrap is metaphor for Lonely Robot in “The Morning After the Night Before Christmas.” It’s all just marking time, this march from birth to death. Garage-fueled pop. After the unwrapping, the ennui.

That countdown may devour one’s soul. Without a sense of time, John Gannon’s protagonist is fretting about the “364 More Days.” Showtime pop with a clarinet edge.

Cledus T. Judd also expresses math angst with his silly country smiler “364 More Shopping Days ’til Christmas.” Heard this one before, but he’s funny.

Life After X-arrgh

Pain can turn sadness to anger on a dime. The loss of Xmas celebrations opens a void that shrieking can barely edge over. Where you’re mad as noel, and you can’t bake it any more.

Matt Kaye waxes coffee house poetical with harmonica club blues in “After Christmas.” It’s an ugly picture of the later-times. Close your eyes, children!

Hate metal might be the way to go here. “The Day After Christmas” by Call of the Sirens (with didgeridoo solo) takes the time of year to task with a passion.

Angry rap from Riz featured on silliness from Random at Best also packs a bone to pick when “Christmas is Over.” Non-Christmas urban rage translated through Office Space.