Another concept album what tells a story, it does. A Christmas Musical by Shifting Buffalo appears humbly as a collection of original holiday jingles. But, check out the titles sequentially: “Hurry Up Santa.” “Prancer Falls Ill,” “What are We Gonna Do?“… Now, fret not, little ones, “The Presents are Delivered in Record Time” [a wild instrumental]. How?? “Brian to the Rescue,” my pretties. (Eminent physicist Brian Cox, that is! SpaceTime is bent for the good!) New Age-ish indie pop–and, i enjoyed this 20 minute ride of a musical.
You like that? Have another (this time a 45 minute multi-genre rock album only) Contents Under Pressure: A Christmas Musical by Contents Under Pressure. It begins with a proper “Overture.” The gang doesn’t know what to do for “Christmas This Year,” so they concoct a musical. Plot? One of them has lost the spirit. He’s had a past Christmas that was “Too Real.” While pouting, he stumbles into a “Snowball Fight.” After hospitalization they all go “Shopping” (great kick line bridge), but it’s not enough to respiritualize. You see, this is just a fun mess with as much story as a Beatles’ movie in the ’60s. After a ‘Wonderful Life’ fantasy sequence (“Anti Xmas War Machine“), we dive deep into what “Christmas Means to Me.” Alls well that includes excellent rock. And a “Party Song.”
