Category: altrock

Forest Blakk romanticizes that the kids can’t sleep at least they’re trying when he’s “Coming Home for Christmas“–that magical moment of hope and fantasy before you get home and the parents want to know if you made any money as a singer. Soaring pop.

“I Think It’s Christmas” warbles Lucy Ellis with show tune earnestness. But amid all the beauty, she’s cold and alone: Somehow, I still can’t find sleep. It’s that bad.

Hans Pucket indies “I Don’t Know What To Get You For Christmas (Do I Really Love You​?​)” with woo-woo-ing passion. It keeps him up, really. (I know–gift card!)

Tinkling rap that survives more than celebrates “Winter Christmas” complains Can’t wake up from sweet dream (possibly bc it’s just so cold). IFAC SIVAN freestyles this bad news prettily.

Ulrikke wants what she can’t have: It’s the magical season, where she can’t sleep for a reason. But “Christmas All Around” turns gospel from its teasing pop. The message? Santa’s into Grammie.

In Excelsis Deo brings down the party singing the dread and despair of the past year with death as the punctuation in the jangly alt rock of “There Will be Fireworks.” I still can’t sleep on Christmas Eve. Or ever. Not peacefully.

Pyramid Paradise’s “Can’t Sleep” is a banging garage lullaby. Seriously, it lulls me despite the decibel level. Or is it just me?

Judd Bloke conceived of “Can’t Sleep on Christmas Eve” but AI wrote and sang it. Yes, even that cultural tarnish has infected the blog. Easy listening ordinariness.

Erin Vadala and Her Brothers Charles Vadala and Their Band so very gently indie out “I Can’t Fall Asleep on Christmas Eve.” It’s that tired diva number at the end of a great piano lounge set… time to go home.

Welcome back to Big Little Lions and their charming indie “Waiting for Christmas Day.” Can’t sleep a wink….

Paisley Manger takes a page out of the frivolity of Flight of the Conchords with “Christmith 222” wherein a bouncy child won’t sleep. Turn down that sound machine and see what happens.

Raleigh Long pounds the piano to get across how he can’t get to sleep anymore, what with it being “Christmas Eve” and all. Dreamlike and soothing, so–ironic?

“My Dreams of Christmas” are The Boxmasters’ regrets of young poverty. Why’s Mommy always bumping into the door with her face, Daddy? Swing ‘billy.

“Can’t Stop Dreaming” by Santa Cloud is what happens to me when i listen to this experimental blundering of sounds and noises. I wouldn’t’ve brought it up, but it’s from a decent Xmas song compilation.

Molly Burch’s psychedelic pop “Holiday Dreaming” tips and bops into and out of the subconscious. It’s about a missed romantic connection.

Hip lyrics like: Christmas is a time for screaming / into the pillow that nothing has meaning punch up the tinker toy clunk of “Christmas is a Time for Dreaming” by L’Resorts. Takes me back to the rando wit of the ’80s like Timbuk3.

Could just be that time of the year, for sleeping long and loud that is.

Jars of Clay ask for a “Hibernation Day” when the snow piles high. No sledding! No snowballs! Just chill! Groovy indie pop.

John McCutcheon goes full mental blanket with “Hibernation.” Sleep: it’s not just what’s for Christmas. If you can sleep for months, you’ll miss school! Lively folk pop.

Sara Noelle also rearranges the biorhythms with “I’ll Sleep ‘Til Christmas,” an ethereal indie that supposes Mother Earth going under a blanket of snow for all of us getting lethargic this time of year. Hauntingly seasonal.

Parody much? The Fab Four-based “Winter Slumbers Medley” by Dodge Family Christmas 2012 puts me in a hibernating mood. Amoo-hoo-hoo-sing.

Reubannase also makes merry with their “Christmas Gaga” about going to bed (and getting up again). It’s the circle of lull.

Bennty discloses with horrible acoustics that grownups need “Bedtime, Christmas Day.” Indie lounge piano that cries from the heart.

I’ll sleep until I’m tired, declares Norick Eve in the string-heavy indie “Christmas Sox.” They seem to have stopped fighting it finally.

Cori Connor’s “Sleepy Little Town” puts the whole village down for a rest for the holidays. Melodic folk.

Welcome back, The Rosebuds! “Blackout Choir” takes their indie folk perfection to the whole world, asleep though it be.

Elizabeth Mitchell brings us that age-worn hymn “Ain’t That a-Rockin’ All Night” but it’s not what you think. Rather than worry about any old Herod thing, Mary is meant to rock that baby into comfort and joy. Timeless.

“Alleluia (A Christmas Lullaby)” from Skip Ewing is a pop song transitioning into gospel. But the tinkly piano motif urges me to put a five in the goblet.

Back to Brahms for Spike Jones and His City Slickers to orchestrate the “Christmas Cradle Song.” Children! Prayers!

The Pizza Carolers make it indie with extra sass in their “Christmas Eve Lullaby (Demo).” It’s that snare that walks me off the beaches of wary and into the sea of nod. Zzzz.

Huguenots get poetically personal when they alt rock to Emily about hounds and dancing and the Spaniard’s Inn in their “Post Christmas Lullaby.” Do with it what you will. Oh, i will.

Powerful pipes from Alison Trelfa draw out the same old same old “Christmas Lullaby.” But that voice is like a warm hug.

Speaking of VOCALS, Tennessee Ernie Ford booms out “Sleep, My Little Lord Jesus” commensurate with the importance of the sleep therein. Back it up, manger animals.

Stephen DeCesare uses his vocal strengths to sound like every other singer in “Reading Three with a Christmas Lullaby.” Sorry, i’ll stay up.

“Even as a Baby – A Christmas Lullaby” is Graham Davis0’s religious rite to proselytize with smart indie chords and sharp jazz changes. Respect.