LISTEN WITH MONGER CHRISTMAS ROUND UP
Aside from the annual awards announcements on LWM, the other
end of year tradition is to round up the efforts for the Christmas number one
that Simon Cowell hasn’t had anything to do with. So, without further festive
ado, let’s get on with it, shall we?
Keston Cobblers Club
– Let It Snow
Everyone’s favourite Kentish
collective kick off our festive proceedings this year with a jaunty little
version of the classic ‘Let it Snow’ which doesn’t deviate too far from the
original path but then why would you? What makes this particularly lovely is
the vocal interplay between the male and female vocals as the rhythm bounces
along like ironic Hawaiian beach dwellers laughing at the idea of snow.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/kestoncobblersclub/
Listen Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq4k5laYcVw
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Helen Love – Glitter
Star (Alcopop! Records)
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| Helen Love - Glitter Star |
Everyone’s favourite Welsh bubblegum
punks Helen Love couldn’t let the festive season pass you by without having their
say on proceedings. ‘Glitter Star’ is their Christmas effort which has more
than a hint of the Ramones meets Glam rock about it whilst sampling Oasis, Blur
and Billy Idol among others through this riotous romp. Not to mention the
wonderfully low budget but high fun video which is the best thing you could
have on any screen this Christmas. Apart from Scrooged.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/helenloveofficial/
Watch the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUwIsNsfyyc&feature=youtu.be
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Whyte Horses – Next
Year Will Be Mine
The mighty Whyte Horses are back
with not one but two Chrimbo tracks, you lucky ducks. ‘Next Year Will Be Mine’
makes liberal use of sleigh bells and church bells but with a real Motown
production quality and the kind of pure melody that you don’t get any more. Vashti
Bunyan ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ is the stronger track, for me, and has a
Marc Almond vibe as the band conjure images of deserted town streets made
beautiful by a think layer of crisp white snow illuminated under the orange glow
of street lights. Phil Spector with British songwriting just about sums this
one up and makes this my choice for festive release of the year.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/WhyteHorsesOfficial/
Listen Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZJQx-H3kCo
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The Darkness – Don’t
Let the Bells End (Live at Hammersmith Apollo)
Bit of a cheat this one but I do
think this is a massively underrated Christmas song and it is getting an
official rerelease so we might as well enjoy it again. ‘Don’t Let the Bells End’
is full of all the rock’n’roll pomp and performance that we’ve come to love
from the Darkness but it’s threaded with pathos and the kind of regret that’s so
prevalent at this time of year. I think it’s one of the better Christmas songs and
it has a great guitar solo which is not something you get enough of these days.
Oh, and the crowd sing-a-long makes it well worth having a live version.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/thedarknessofficial/
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My Name Is Ian –
Christmas Time Again
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| My Name Is Ian - Christmas Time Again |
The funkiest and most punk Christmas
song of this year’s gaggle and probably the funniest. The 8-bit computer melody
is matched with a Blockheads-esque rhythm section and the Jamie T inspired vocals
of My Name Is Ian, riling against the traditions of Christmas and his poor Gran
who is no longer with us but gets the brunt of some of the anger. Apart from
the non-radio friendly lyrics in the chorus, I feel like Steve Lamacq would eat
this up with a mince pie and sherry.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/mynameisianmusic/
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Fawns of Love – December
Probably the least festive of the
round up but it’s called ‘December’ and it sounds like a lost New Order track
so I’m including it – deal with it. Fawns of Love are ex members of Funeral
Club and they make a wonderful dream-pop sound between the two of them so if
you’re not a lover of Christmassy songs then this one might just do you a
favour.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/fawnsoflove/
Listen Here: https://fawnsoflove.bandcamp.com/track/december-2
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Gabrielle Aplin &
Hannah Grace – December (Never Fade Records)
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| Gabrielle Aplin & Hannah Grace |
Taking the John Lewis route to
feeling Christmassy, Gabrielle Aplin and Hannah Grace have created ‘December’
around some sombre piano notes and luscious, flurrying strings. This is the
song to listen to as you get the train back to the family homestead with images
of open fires and smells of your mum’s mince pies filling your head, pushing
out all the stresses and strains of the year. Aplin and Grace’s voice dovetail
beautifully to soothe the soul and ease the mind – mulled wine for the ears, if
you will. Gorgeous stuff.
More information:
Gabrielle Aplin – https://www.facebook.com/gabrielleaplin/
Hannah Grace – https://www.facebook.com/hangracemusic/
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Gabrielle – This
Christmas
A recent feature of Christmas
releases has been the soul infused festive treat and Gabrielle is taking her
turn this year. ‘This Christmas’ is a big scale production with lush horns, church
bells, backing singers and, most importantly, Gabrielle’s distinctive vocal ringing
out through the frosty night air on Christmas Eve, calling you home to sing by
the fire and just generally have a chilled time Gabrielle and her band. Imagine
that, if you will.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/Gabrielleuk/
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Boy Bjorn – All I
Want For Christmas Is You (Communion Records)
If you’re after an 80s inspired
lo-fi synth tribute to the classic ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ then Boy
Bjorn has got your back. Throbbing synth chords, a few lazily scattered guitar
notes and a processed beat combine to create the downtempo and chilled version
without any of the Mariah Carey histrionics which works for me. If you like
Eels then this will float your festive boat for sure.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/boybjorn/
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The Raptors – It’s
Christmas (Have a Rock’n’Roll Time)
Glasgow band the Raptors have
been drinking from the Christmas spirits bottle marked ‘Ramones’ and it all
comes out in their new single ‘It’s Christmas (Have a Rock’n’Roll Time)’. Dirty
guitars, gang vocals, pounding drums and repetitive lyrics bouncing on a low
slung bass line all make for the kind of messy Christmas build up you see on
the streets of Britain you see between 19th December and Christmas.
A beautiful shambles covered in tinsel, smeared make up and glitter.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/theraptorsband/