Category: altrock

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.

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.