Most of us feel the need to wince when you start hearing traditional Christmas songs. We all hope (or we should do) that one day Christmas songs by the likes of Slade, Wham, Mariah Carey, Cliff Richard etc. will be consigned to dust and never hit our unfortunate ear drums again. We all know too well that this isn't going to happen. However they are some exceptions. Sufjan Stevens' mammoth 5 volume Songs for Christmas collection certainly had it's moments, and there's probably at least 1 or 2 Christmas songs we actually like (but are afraid to admit). Several indie/alternative bands usually have a stab at a covers too with the results being along the lines of excellent to downright bloody awlful.
My favourite Christmas music is courtesy of slowcore pioneers Low (I'm certainly byest as Low are quite possibly my favourite band of all time). I sometimes find myself listening to some these songs away from Christmas time, more often than not due to the wonders of shuffle. Each song on this album has something for everyone; the upbeat poppy seasonal charm of 'Just Like Christmas'; haunting and beautiful covers of yuletide staples such as 'Long Way Around the Sea' and 'Silent Night'; and thoughtful reworks of the popular Christmas songs of 'Blue Christmas' and 'Little Drummer Boy'. Their original compositions of 'If You Were Born Today' and 'Taking Down the Tree' contain their own special Christmas messages; where the latter is a comment on how brief the Christmas period can be; the former is their own take on the togetherness of the Christmas season, complete with it's own religious message.
The album has also recently rereleased on vinyl. It is also available on CD and are both at a very low price. Shame it's a little late for Christmas but this is an album you will want listen to each and every year. Get it here.
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