I’ve never been that much of a Christmas enthusiast, but maybe this year it will change: I’m putting out a 4 track compilation EP of Christmas themed songs. And actually it is really good! The four songs are originals and no, they are not carols. They are four splendid pop songs that I would totally recommend. The name of the EP is “Last Train to Christmas”, which is an April March song. All Cloudberry EPs are named after songs.
I wonder how objective and fair I can be recommending something I’m releasing. Of course all labels do their press kits and they praise and praise their bands. In that situation it is fine, people don’t mind. But if I write about it in a blog, praising the songs and bands, what would the reaction be? I’m guessing people will be negative. Maybe it’s somethting of the human condition? Perhaps the difference is that press kits are ‘anonymous’?
The EP opens with “Antoinette’s Christmas Wedding” by Twig. Kalle (from Elenette) and his sax had already been part of Twig’s repertoire, as you can see in their 2008-defining “Life After Ridge” album. On this track Kalle comes handy with his services to bring out a standout track. It is impossible not to think of the album track “Constance and Her Cousins” that has a very similar vibe, the sax and a girl name. The three-piece sounds as classier as ever. Actually it was Henrik from Twig that wrote me a month or so ago suggesting the idea of making a Christmas compilation. He loves Christmas and I can tell, I’ve heard a different Christmas song on their myspace for the last two years. And Mathias told me today that they are working on another Christmas tune! May it be the Swedish snow? being close to the North Pole? that makes the Twig guys love this time of the year? The only thing I’m certain that is that they passed me their enthusiasm. I can imagine the swedes in a big Christmas banquet like Fanny and Alexander, wouldn’t you too?
The second song is courtesy of The Soft City. The band has changed a lot since their Cloudberry single. Well, at that time is was mostly Phil with help from many of his friends. Now it is a band in the whole sense of the word. Phil doesn’t take control of the main vocals anymore, that duty is now Dora’s. Also Jason Corace (from A Boy Named Thor, do you remember?) plays the electric guitar and Phil goes to his favourite instrument, drums, the same he played on Kicker and the underrated but amazing Velocette. The song “Snow is Falling” reminds me to Kicker, and that’s a good thing! A pop song with capital letters, a POP SONG. That’s what it is. What is funny about this Christmas tune, as Phil points out, is that the New York band are one Jew, an agnostic and one unidentified! Who would have thought! Listening the song you would have thought The Soft City was all about joy in Christmas time!
“When The Stars Are Shining Bright At Christmas Time” is the third tune. And this one comes from fellow New York band Strega. As you might now this band also has pedigree, Poundsign pedigree! Wavelenght might have been one of the best indiepop albums in the 90s. You are lucky if you come around a copy of it. EBay is not easy on the prices on this one either. It is good, a very fine record, that maybe didn’t break thru because at the time indiepop was all about Aislers Set, but hey, this was as good. The song is a bouncy, upbeat, two minutes and a half piece. And as everything comes around, the six degrees of separation theory, it was Henrik (Twig) that saw them live in New York, at the Union Pool (a place I like a lot!) and recommended them to me. The water flowed and eventually the band closed the 3″ single series with that wonderful single of them: “Emotional Self Destruction”.
And then going back north, now to Denmark. It’s Champagne Riot, a new band for me and for the label too. I’m waiting impatiently now for his debut on Shelflife, and if the songs are as good as this Christmas one, this will be one of the winners of 2008. That doesn’t mean I’ll make a best of list, but I most probably vote at the Twee.net yearly survey. “December Slopes” is the song name and this has the most epic sound of all the 4 songs. There is something about Caspar’s singing that brings memory of 80s synthpop bands, with that charming decadence that exudes pop elegance. Think of a less pretentious Fosca, a darker Human League and maybe you have an idea. Then the EP is over. And most probably you’ll want to play it again.
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