The solo show, the recital, has broken many a budding prodigy. The pressure! For Jesus!!
Rob and Tony allow that in a “Virtual Xmas” the carolers perform No doorstep recital, just processor code. Still, a show. Electronic pop, yet whimsical.
Busta Rhymes fronts Bieber for a reductive “Drummer Boy” that spotlights the kid’s show as a one man band. Rap, like.
“Santa’s Southside Symphony” by JJMAJ and The Unpolished Brass begins as a one-person lament, then–gets drunk. IT’s like Dixieland and rap had a baby.
Ben Folds celebrates “Me and Maurice,” his doggy family, while observing the doggie walking joys of wintertime. The carolers ring the doorbell twice then disappear. Nice indie with a soaring tribute to picking up poop as well.
Not that you can tell when it’s cheesy pop but when The Chipmunks ‘sing’ “Ho Ho Ho” about trees and carolers and whatnot, you can’t tell. Can you? And Dave is having a screaming meltdown. Huh, classic Chipmunks.
So, rap? “A GNF XMAS” is GNF (feat. Sheri John) fronting. Is this holiday related? Oh, if Dropping jingles so they caroling is it, then so. Ladies….
From ‘Home Alone 2’ Ryan Buell loops dialogue about using a branded Talkbox but runs it all through a Talkbox. “The Talkboy” is a curiosity piece worth noting.
In “A Talkbox Nutcracker,” Mr. Talkbox synth raps to THAT tune about music and songs and there’s a stereo in there somewhere. But it’s all about messing with the voice.
Not simply another form of record, vinyl has such snobby connoisseurs (hi, Dave) that it might as well be the only authentic transpo for melody.
Look no further than “Love Over Instagram” an AI country tweaker from Jingle Bots. Recycling, craft beer, vinyl… it’s positively caveman cool.
“Indie Rock Christmas” is a grabby anthem from Hawksley Workman that ’80s-fies the wish list so that including vinyl ain’t quite out of style yet. Antic.
Candy canes and vinyl records and hot cocoa are lumped all together by AI when Dobeidy rocks the mood in “Under the Christmas Lights.” An EFF for effort.
Snowflakes and vinyl are the whole list for pop AI in Paul Bill Jr.’s “Christmas Wishlist.” No, wait, YOU is the only thing on the list. That other stuff is background.
“X12 Days of XXXMASX” is screaming punk care of From First to Last, wherein rare vinyl appears at no. 7. It’s a time capsule of angry wanting from the ’90s. Thanks, Friendster.
More haunted AI proclaims “Christmas LoFi Chill” as the vinyl spins. Niboyeang fills the pop bin with slop.
It’s quiet here let’s hear a tune, start up the vinyl, Kval kvetches in echoic whispery indie that dooms the mood of “Christmas is Bliss.” Please play this at my funeral.
“Old Fashioned Christmas” for Danielle Apicella involves slow dancing to vinyl. I approve of this soul ballad.
“Old Fashioned Christmas” gets closer to present day every generation. Vinyl records not MP3s is nostalgia for Joe Frye’s soft country pop.
At least the “Festive Records” of _PatrickConnor engage imagery when We dance around the room, vinyl crackling like it’s crunching snow. Falsetto pop.
“Christmas Vinyl” is caterwauling from Greencowme that puts this product under the tree where it belongs. Bluesy rap.
Shellac, polyvinyl, wax, platter, and licorice pizza were the modes of transportation for many decades when it came to playing the hits. Do we sing about THAT?
Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and The Clowns jellyroll the blues when “All I Want for Christmas” are a few albums here and there. Pump it up, kids.
Oh, record spinning as I’m dreaming about how to get you alone, wails Chris Stapleton (with Kelly Clarkson) from a place of pathos in this diva jazz of dance music:”Glow.”
Let’s turn the TV off and put that old record on/And dance in the dark, croons Leona Lewis to Ne-Yo in the bedroom eyes R+B sashayer “Kiss me It’s Christmas.” Hope it doesn’t get stuck.
You bought my records, come to see my show/That’s why James Brown love you so, sings James Brown in “Soulful Christmas.” That’s enough meta, thank you.
Mandisa wants records (and movies) to make you feel like “It’s Christmas.” Thumping loud soul.
“The Christmas Album” by Aecerd is the garage screamer of a finale for their christmas album entitled Christmas Album. It screams.
Lisa Biales is composing her “Christmas Record” while belting out her process with melding genres and pushing that fourth wall. Well done, despite its self congratulatory tendency.
“Emergency Christmas Album” is Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer’s ‘rap’ attempt to get me to reconsider going meta some more. This album does in fact seem to be a panacea for all your Xmas woes.
Not a piano, well not entirely, the 88 keys are their own thing.
BLAINE & HIS KEYBOARD narrates his morning of gift openings with his mixed genre “Keyboard for Christmas.” This rising showtune takes us on a (long) roller coaster ride of NOT getting the instrument, but then–
Dillon M. self consciously sings Christmasly about singing about himself and offers to add some ’80s keyboard to make it less dull. But, “It’s December” novelty rocks with its comic pop. Thumbs up.
Speaking of which, Nerf Herder’s tribute to “Vivian” invokes Flock of Seagulls, eyeliner, and you’ll play the keyboard when we rock the Math Club Christmas party. Retro rock, for sure. Order that on your RCA Record Club, duderino.
Keyboards and drums get short-listed in several Xmas songs, including the fun pop rap of The BreezeWay’s moody “Christmas has Come a Long Way.” I’m asking for one of those cardboard coats.
So deep into Motown you have to show papers, PJ Morton (feat. Yolanda Adams) want to know “Do You Believe?” I can’t keep my Testifyin’ still.
Hot Breakfast! strums out a mean folk pop “Christmas Is For Believers.” A journey of logic and hope is detailed with all the usual clues. Belief wins in the end.
Bridgette Bryant journeys through the stages of belief with “Do You Believe in Santa?” This spoken word memoir doesn’t end well for non-believers.
Sinner Friends testify that “Santa is Real.” Kooky folk that devolves into sermon. It’s a meeting of Santa Believers Anonymous.
Brandon Wolfe Scott is quite skeptical in his laryngeal pop number “Do You Believe In Santa?” Each question leads to the next question.
The Arches metal out “Santa is Real” with mostly riffing. But they do have a message about your belief system.
Rapping through the inconsistencies KOOPANUT explores the quandary “Can I Believe in You? (Santa Claus).” It’s a fun ride from across the pond.
