Category: rock

Connie Francis kitsches up “I’m Gonna be Warm this Winter.” This 1959 ur-rock pop starts out in a ski lodge. Then… love. Kylie Minogue copies this for no good reason.

“Ski with Slope” is Wyegee messing with us emotionally. You know that thing where music reaches in and pulls out your still beating heart, dances with it, then puts it back in, and brushes you off. A bit like that. Electronica.

Beatgum brings us more traditional rock (finally) with the trembly “Hot Skiing.” Desire and appreciation without much mountaineering. But… rock.

Triheart’s “Slushy Slopes” is that new kind of mix with classic rap, violin, and inclement weather. Trippin’.

Stuttery “Skiing Hills” from Dino brings string instrumentalizations to new heights. And they teeter there.

Fukushima Dolphin take their time, but “The Ski Slope” puzzles through garage depths like climate change and taking those turns hard. Club beats.

Rock time. Pierre & Slopers doo-wop “Let’s Go Skiing” to new heights. Snow bunnies and snow moose only.

Romance and skating on ice are nearly one and the same in the R+B (hoo, hoo hoo hoo, hoo) singalong “Christmas Wishin’” from David Davis. Holla.

Different Boats is in the friend zone, however, after mixed signals from skating. “Season of Sadness” is a maudlin rap without lashing out in anger. Sorry for your heart. (Crash cart! Stat!)

Connie Landers dredges up the ol’ ’60s rock’n’roll with “I’m Gonna be Warm This Winter.” That sleigh ride helped, but the ice skating cinched it.

“It’s Christmas” for Marcus Latief Scott when his brother wants to hit the slopes and others are skating. Am i missing a social hierarchy in the cold weather substitutions for walking? Party rap wit’ lotsa Yeas!

Colbie Caillat has more of a “Happy Christmas” as she remembers holding Grampa’s hand while skating back in the day. Country (for the messaging) but unabashedly pop (for the happy part).

“Rockefeller Center” is a bitter regret for November Cold. After she passed, you realized you never went skating like she wanted. Rocking BLUE ALERT remorse.

“Figure Skating” by Porij allegorizes couples’ blade work into close up physical intimacy. Saw that coming a mile away. Staccato, jazzy pop.

Elena Lopez wants to let you down easily with her breathy alt-pop in “Let’s Go Skating.” She means: INSTEAD of what you wanna do.

“Ice Skating” by Polyphone is more about the ins and outs of the relationship. Rocking life lessons.

Plastic Faction remembers a time when the “Little Sled” was the only friend. Charming, but eerie, unplugged folk-pop.

Americo elevates the “Sled” to the must-have moment a young person has, saving money, going to the toy store, facing down the salesman… just like life. Hard core club rock.

Also symbolic is the club rock of Mayfair in the “Broken Sled.” It all started with ‘Citizen Kane,’ didn’t it?

We’re not done with the Flexible Flyer, not by a yard.

Brixton Riot spices up the kid-venture with some gnarly garage in their “Flexible Flyer.” There’s no way you can beat me!

Bender Melon makes his bluegrasss stummin’ “Flexible Flyer” all about that memory that keeps you from losing it as a gr’up.

Ed Riegler is a bit more upbeat with his folk “Flexible Flyer.” Three on a sled!?

Hüsker Dü’s “Flexible Flyer” is a hard rock metaphor for childish dreams. How fast? How far? How successful??? Heavy. [Grant Hart does this more gently.]

Loop Line nails The Beach Boys’ vibe with “I Want a Surfboard (For Christmas).” I love when novelty concepts back up actual, cool music.

Surferfluous challenges the senses with their recorded-in-a-tin-can rocker “I Want a Surf Band (for Christmas).” It’s from the Something Awful collection, so there you go.

Jump5 rocks out with “Christmas Like This.” It contrasts snow and sand for holiday options. They may both have boards, but only one has surfing. (Doanchew wanna?)

“Surfing on Christmas Day (Santa Won’t You Bring Me Some Waves)” by Southern Culture on the Skids is probably the surf rock reason you’ve been scanning these blog pages. It’s the real deal, McNeill. (Despite its 2020 birth!)