Category: altrock

Practicing his operatic pipes, Len Francis Monahan sings “Christmas Lullaby” as a country gospel piece with crisp cutoffs and succinct syllables. Not gonna drag out the bedtime routine.

The Bug Club rocks out their “Christmas Lullaby” with no hope of respite. In space?? Two sucked-thumbs up!

Erasure sets up something like a cartoon scenario with the electronic tempo and over-hoarse ‘scary-guy’ voice in their “Sleep Quietly.” Pretend, then run!

Sotto voce goes far for a lullaby, but Jim Dimzey’s adult “Christmas Lullaby” is more husky, throaty, predatory… back away slowly. Great guitar work for this indie seduction.

Sting has the psychology in hand with his “Lullaby for an Anxious Child.” New age whiteness so that Hush, Child doesn’t sound like a spiritual at all.

More educationally, Caspar Babypants allows actual music to underscore their kidsong “Alphabet Christmas Lullaby.” Pretty clever stuff. Guess what Z is for!

“A Christmas Lullaby” also brings us uplifting country pop from Bryan Lanning. That’s Christian pop, you see. Dancing in your heart, dear. That’s not for a baby–that’s for his baby.

Grownup adulting from Karen Drucker, “Christmas Lullaby” is new age indie stuff about love and arms around me and you rock me and soothe me. Good night, nurse.

Stockings can be worn on the toes as well.

C’mon back! Always welcome back is JD McPherson, here again with his title track from his epic Xmas album: “Socks.” Killer jazz cool.

Paul Rudd helps out the SNAL cast (with Charli xcx) lampooning ‘Christmas Shoes’ with the overlong (it’s funny ‘cuz it’s tedious!) “Christmas Socks.”

From a Canadian FM radio station, Gonzo Leite presents the parody “Holey,” a pop song about socks in the stocking. For reals.

“Socks and Underwear” is on the NOT-TO-GET list by Simplify Christmas (feat. Zak Stegman). Don’t worry, good ideas are mentioned. Indie specificity.

The mockery of a stocking that has NOTHING in it–!

“Empty Christmas Stocking” has been here before. The specter of no presents for his beloved (and sick, natch) daughter drives a man to crime. It’s an oldie and quite the tear jerker. Try the elderly approach from Lyle and Doris Mayfield.

“The Empty Christmas Stocking Blues” by M.T. Quinn and the Blues Rockin’ Daddies drags the girl into the fray and blame gets spread around like spraycan snow.

More “Empty Stocking Blues” now from Kenrick & The Jiggi Verandah Band. It is bad news (shocking), bt some personal culpability is recognized.

When Bob 4 Apples is faced with “Empty Stockings” their only recourse is to Eat The Rich. Offkey indie agenda. Wot fun.

And when it’s not possible?

“Santa Canta Getta Downa the Chimney This Year” by Todd Burge is relentless punk metal purporting it’s a weight issue on the Santa side of the scale. Still, no go.

On the other hand “World’s Smallest Chimney” presents its own problem set. Casey Weissbuch has little to add to this metal fest.

Antoine Dodson doesn’t anything to do with that “Chimney Intruder.” Modulated rap weirdness.

Darkcave has a simple suggestion. “Don’t Block the Chimney.” Indie solutions are the rockinest.

See Spot Run thrashes the garage “My Name is Santa” for all to pogo to. Go go pogo go. Ow.

Li’l Ed and The Imperials warns “I’m Your Santa,” so open up yo’ chimney. Blues that won’t take no for an answer..

Ralph Garman bolsters the old Kevin & Bean show with the parody “The Real Slim Santa.” The Blue has been bleeped, but the jolly belly no longer jiggles.

In “Lonely Day at the North Pole” Santa sobs over being left out. Third Earth (feat. Jake Lowe) bull through woeful indie pokiness. Maybe I don’t care–

Well, what DOES James Brown have to say about that frosty philanthropist? “Santa Claus is Definitely Here to Stay” that’s what. Trademark Brown blues.

A Bushman on walkabout, a pilot, a mermaid lover… “Wily Clause” is more than you thought. So say The Uh Ohs with well pointed indie/pop fun.

Spell it out The Christmas Jug Band (feat. Paul Rogers)! “S.A.N.T.A.” is the parody of a powerful myth.

Encore, you say? Well The Christmas Jug Band studies the Santas and determines the one with the most magic in the blues number “Santa Clara, San Jose or Santa Claus?” One guess who it is!

Todd McHatton portrays a super chill wintry judge when toasting “One for Santa.” Just be you! He’ll get it! Soft melodic pop.

Who’s the one! “Ol’ Saint Nicholas“! Ask Doris Day! She’ll sing it for you! In kidsong! (Had this figured out back in 1949!)

“Santa Forever” brings us to a close with the philosophy that WE ARE ALL SANTA CLAUS. Whoa. Indie crooning from Sound of Monday (feat. Mia Crosby). Sweet as hell.

Heck, that’s just a taste. Thousands of pro-Santa songs are out there. Some are pretty terrible, but i don’t wanna cram them all in here together. Then i’d be done blogging. Stay tuned for con-Santa songs next.

Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion make boogie woogie into elevator music with “Cool Rockin’ Santa.” Oh, the guitar licks are there, but these Ozzies play it safe emotionally. It’s all under control.

More authentic, LenneBrothers Band lean into “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.” It’s receptive, hypnotic, and out of control. Flames!

Asleep at the Wheel mashes up country swing with the B.W. in “Santa Loves to Boogie.” Now my feet are movin’.

The Tractors get us back on track with “The Santa Claus Boogie.” It’s all about the piano, y’see.

Slidawg & the Redneck Ramblers lean much more western than boogie with “Santa’s Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” It’s a two step Time Machine to 1989 line dancing!

Tickle Tune Typhoon redefine the boogie as sha na na retro rock in “Santa’s Belly Boogie.” Lots of countdowns and nonsense syllables. Is this kidsong?

Gary Wilson goes alternative with “I Saw Santa Dancing in the Dark.” This syncopated pop just gets weird. That’s not the twist! That’s epilepsy!

Worth repeating: Lance Songs does kidsong a favor with loosey goosey word jazz set to a simple beat. “Santa, Eat Your Cookies” is as much invitation as celebration. Hahahaha, ho ho ho ho.

??? garage their appreciation of their ‘friend’ “Santana Claus.” No guitars wielded by this figure, but he’s got gifts.

More confused is the mashup “O Santandoa” from Grammarchist. Global Warming crosses the old Jimmie Stewart Civil War movie. It’s a fun mess.

Four part harmony might mean Jay Stansfield is dead serious about “The Man in Red.” But it feels like fooling around. Altrock fun.

Rayvon raps for Disney in “The Santa Wrap.” Some scratching, some sax. But it’s clean as the down of a thistle.

Pretty indie mushiness from Colin Farish calls out observations about that night with the gentle “Thank You, Santa.” What, you couldn’t make a cookie?

What’s that on top of your head?! In “Rockabilly Christmas” it’s Santa’s hair–piled high! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy swings that thing.

Updating (or mocking, it’s so hard to know with young people) They Live by Night honor St. Lucia with “Lucia (I Deserve Candles in My Hair).” Alt rock reverence, i guess.

“Just Put a Ribbon in Your Hair” is a country attempt at romance: all I want for Christmas is you, with a little adornment. Is it ‘cuz your hair’s a mess? Is that ALL I want you wearing? Eddy Arnold cornpones the cornsilk outta this.

In some kinda mashup Rev Run (Feat Mase, Puff Daddy, Snoop Dogg, Salt N Pepa, Onyx, & Keith Murray) wail on “Santa Baby.” They not only want rich gifts for themselves, but also My little sister needs a comb just to braid her nappy hair. Rap your head around that.