Jeff Grant is not fully on board with the season. In his “Snow City” he tries to enjoy the whiteness, but falls out with the brisk enjoyment. Sorta pop, but in a depressed way. Later he hopes for a “Light Christmas” with no drama. Sorta folk, but with cross to bear. And next, his “Christmas Sunset” itemizes all the chores he’s not looking forward to. Sorta indie, but bourgeoisie. Finally his “Yuletide to Tide You Over” rushes to get it over with it. Again part-indie, but lackadaisical. Iconic stuff.
“Teenage Christmas” should be right up our indifferent alley. Covered by Eux Autres, this is danceable disaffection, celebrating the fact rather than dwelling on the fracture.
On the polar opposite end of that, “12 Days Of Snowbird Christmas” depicts the distracted elderly as pointless and random. Brent Burns has been holding this in for a while, you can tell, but 12 Days?! Thanks, no thanks.
Make Like Monkeys return, contrarily celebrating an “Ordinary Christmas“. Nice retro pop that eschews frippery, and elects to stay in and not share. Like it, lump it, whatever.
The Regrettes (feat. Dylan Minnette) set up big band pop for their “Holiday-ish“. Slowly, but surely, the hopes and plans fall apart. It’s all not so good.