Category: altrock

‘A Christmas Story’ leaves me tired. But it inspires gifts, nostalgia, and larfs.

The whole Red Ryder yada yada thing has been done here before.

 Rod Kim has a personal reaction to the heartfelt scheming of the kid who needs something his parents won’t approve of in “Merry Christmas Ralphie“, a folk pop tale of woe.

John McCutcheon, hoever, overdoes the sentiment with the funny jug band behest: “Tommy Don’t Lick That Pipe“.

Running out of days, but TV shows need a glancing at, too.

Chris Isaak is watching “Christmas on TV” while missing his loved ones. It’s our theme summed up in honky tonk.

Was hepped to DJ John’s “The Christmas Massacre of Charlie Brown” years ago by Pete da Elf. This slipping and sampling is classic comedy car crashing.

Mirror Eyes belts out blues with “Out Of All The Charlie Browns In The World, I’m The Charlie Browniest“. No actual peanuts were harmed during the writing of this tribute.

“The Christmas Team” may not refer to TV shows any more than borrowing a theme song, but Chinese Tony Danza gives it all. Gasp.

“Remember When Gilbert Gottfried Was Santa Claus In An Episode of Billy and Mandy” asks Birthing Stirrups in a garage rock rattle.

The Not Fur Longs rerun HeMan cartoons with the odd “Christmas in Eternia” song that appeared one time in the ’70s. They fleshed out that ditty to indie epicness, stuttering all the while.

5 Chinese Brothers rock the country with an odd tale that smushes reality with cine-magic in “And to All a Good Night.” ‘Santa Conquers the Martians’ gets a meme!

During a “California Snow” Kathryn Anne Davis catches a few holiday shows. Plunky new age indie.

William the Angel learns of Yuletide customs in the indie rock “What Do I Find There?” Rob Mathes takes us there with gentle criticism.

Fun kersplosions in the sky may be limited to Disney World, but they are a fun show.

Jonathan Meur mentions fireworks in re NYC (useta be a thing) among other festivities in the indie “December by the Isle of You.” It’s a love song.

KIMSUNGHOON prefers AI to express the joy of the “Holiday Fireworks Rock Show.” It’s soft rock, more ballideering.

OKXO gets all meh with their “Hell of a Christmas.” Old fireworks ring in the new year like their club rock carried them through one protracted week-long yawn.

Subway Porno’s “Christmas Song” might include New Year’s with the fireworks reflecting in the glasses of champagne. But, it’s an adorable indie about nothing in particular.

Musicians gotta eat. They’ll perform shows where and when attendees can pay. Tickets for a live gig make an excellent present. And they’ll provide an excuse to bail on that family gathering.

“Mom Speaks” is that experimental drowning out of spoken word with electronica that seems humorous on one or two levels. Pete Miser sets up the ‘rents for that elementary school assembly.

On the other hand, the concert halls might all be closed. “How Will You Remember This Christmas?” sings Christopher Lennertz (feat Kathryn Gallagher) with haunting pop about faulty recall.

Then there’s the concert tickets you can’t return after that holiday breakup, according to Anna Thompson’s “Christmas Song (Sad).” A country voice over a slow pop track equals an alt moper.

Da Epic Squad get self referential when they offer to “Screw Last Christmas.” It’s rap, but they admit their concerts are ‘noise.’ (Yeah, it disses G. Michaels.)

The Henry Road claim to be “Too Hip for Christmas” when they monotonically chant about being too old for concerts now. Millenial angst with spot on uncategorizable indie.

Is the entire holiday season a big show?

Weezer mixes ennui with love and whines about that “Christmas Celebration” with loads of indie, just like their fans like.

The Whos know from ritualistic expression, yet “The Grinch’s Christmas Celebration” is so much lip service–despite the awesome vocal calisthenics from Jenner Davis and back up singers Hannah & Shane Wyttree. Wah Hoo Doris.

Cimrya Deal’s “Christmas Celebration” is a retro pop indie that, in fact, causes spontaneous rambunction. Woo woo!

A Christmas show is not the same as a party; on the other hand–who cares!

Bored siblings arrange “The Christmas Talent Show” despite our protagonist’s blasé attitude. Then Andrew J. Mair applies snuffly AI country rock and the hijinx flies.

Len Maxwell’s “The Monster Christmas Bazaar (For The Monster Retirement Fund)” is a sideshow of celebration. But don’t call it a freak show! Comedy. Of a sort.

Matt Roach’s “The Christmas Show” is raucous and ornery, but surely it’s not all about his family dysfunction! Indie noise at its best.

The holiday of Carnival misses Xmas by a coupl’a months, but “Carnival or Christmas” by Pe’lay puts that all together for you. World music pop.

Hating the cold, No Big Deal rocks the pop in “(It) Might As Well Snow.” Hoping for an early carnival in Rio, they’re ready to jet away from the chill.

“Still Losers This Christmas” ref both holidays, but with echoic girl warbles makes neither stick. Weird indie from Angelic Milk.

The cast of ‘Nativity! The Musical’ take us behind the scenes for auditions with “Our School Nativity“. Therapy will be required later.

Matt Aaron has that nagging pain about how being “Always a Shepherd” kind of bites. It’s a class thing. Cool indie.

Little Johnny played Jesus in Fear Boner’s “Nativity Captivity“. He was the best Jesus this side of the Mississippi. Something about sex appeal I’m guessing given the tone of this partially metal rocker. This might mess you up a little.

Dancing on Fire has plans for “Xmas Steve” when he moves in on their love interest. But when they go to the Christmas play together…. Headturning alt rock.

Erin Blackstock tends more serious with her “Country Christmas” rose colored glasses. School plays were apparently always sweet as pie. Tolerable country.

Lenz has enough to deal with in the indie diva attack “The Guilt of Others“. But, then he recalls, I played Pilate at the Christmas play. Wash your hands of that memory, chappie!