Hip Christmas
holiday music that rocks, rolls, swings, and twangs
| Artists | Songs | Various Artists | Lists | Jukebox | About | Home |
|
Support www.hipchristmas.com! Beyond those acknowledged classics, Ho Ho Ho Spice captures a number of worthy older efforts - some of them also quite rare - from notable artists. These include exemplary songs from Graham Parker ("Soul Christmas" from his out-of-print EP, Christmas Cracker); Wednesday Week ("Christmas Here Could Never Be Like That," a track from the legendary Midnight Christmas Mess series); Klark Kent ("Yo Ho Ho," a pseudonymous release by Stewart Copeland of the Police); and two cuts from the deleted 1991 power pop collection Yuletunes. Plus, unexpected gems emerge beyond those stellar tracks. Some are "lost classics" unearthed for the project (c.f. the Hungry Dutchmen's 1988 pop nugget, "Looking For Santa") while others are newly recorded. Of those, tracks by Mike Daly (ex-Whiskeytown), Buzzed Meg (featuring Smithereen Jim Babjak), and Marina Belica (formerly of October Project) are particular standouts. Adding it all up, Ho Ho Ho Spice begins to look a lot like a Christmas cornucopia. By the final tally, Ho Ho Ho Spice encompasses 24 essential Christmas tracks (see below). Bottom line, that's one very solid CD, albeit one that's spread over two very long discs. Nevertheless, Ho Ho Ho Spice sells for a bargain price, and it serves a very worthy cause (read more). So, buy one, then rip the good tracks to your hard drive - that's what MP3 players are made for! [close] 
The relative success of Ho Ho Ho Spice spawned a sequel three years later. Holiday Heart: An Eclectic, Aural Celebration of Christmas and Chanukah (2005) is almost identical in format to its predecessor - two discs of eclectic, modern, original Christmas music. Beyond that point, the resemblance fades as Holiday Heart strays from the modestly stellar trail blazed by Ho Ho Ho Spice pnto the well-trodden path of mediocrity. Unlike Ho Ho Ho Spice, most of these tracks were recorded specifically for the project and make their commercial debut herein. Nearly all of the rest were pulled from recent, independent releases, and none of the contributing artists are particularly noteworthy - save, perhaps, Rick Derringer, the man responsible for two of rock's greatest songs ("Hang On Sloopy" and "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo") but who limps in here with the treacly "Christmas Valentine." In fact, many Holiday Heart artists qualify as positively obscure (most deserve to stay that way), and their contributions rarely reach beyond pleasantly competent. Which is not an overly harsh criticism; music is supposed to be pleasant, generally speaking. And, competence is hardly a sin, even for the most dissentious musician. But, we have a right to demand more from our art - pop or otherwise. Much of the music on Holiday Heart (and a sizeable chunk of Ho Ho Ho Spice) was made possible by the digital revolution of the 1990's. The cheap technology that emerged from those heady days created a world where everybody can make a record. And, sometimes it seems like everybody does - nevermind talent, or something original to say, or demonstrable demand for their dubious art. Freedom is great, but it inevitably produces a glut of mediocre byproducts - the sort of pleasantly competent piffle that comprises most of Holiday Heart. And, some of this stuff doesn't even rise to that modest level. At least a dozen of these tracks are frankly embarrassing. Bluntly stated, way too much of Holiday Heart is navel-gazing, sentimental crap: poorly written, badly sung, and produced with all the panache of a cheap demo tape. Really. Stop me when I've said too much... Nevertheless, amidst such dross, a few jewels shine on Holiday Heart, though none approach the wicked genius of songs like "Holiday Spirit" or "Punchbowl Full Of Joy" from Ho Ho Ho Spice. The Montgomery Cliffs' "Christmas Lights" (from their Stocking Stuffer EP) is a lost power pop classic, and the Bitter Tears' "12 Days" is an unexpected, emo-tinged retelling of the hoary carol "Twelve Days of Christmas." I particularly enjoyed the Dismemberment Plan's dry reading of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" (though I'm not sure why), and Paula Kelley's frothy, charming "Why Christmas" triumphs over it's flat production. Holiday Heart also includes previously released cuts from notables Ron Sexsmith, Mary Karlzen, and Washington D.C. roots rockers Last Train Home, and it culls yet another track (albeit a minor one) from Chris Stamey's Christmas Time (Cathy Harrington's goofy "Sha La La"). So, is that enough to warrant a purchase? Given the cause - sure. As with Ho Ho Ho Spice, Holiday Heart has some great music, but it will benefit even more from some judicious slashing, ripping, and burning. Consumer Notes. The back cover of Ho Ho Ho Spice warned, "This release is limited to the 2002 season," but both the original release and its sequel were still available through CD Baby last time I looked (or check Amazon). Read more at www.hohohospice.com, the home of Volunteer Records, who also sell directly to consumers. [top of page]
|
|
Albums
Top 100 Song
Navigation Artists Songs Various Artists Lists Jukebox About Home
Information About Us Feedback Submissions Books Links
Support Me Amazon iTunes Sheet
Music Plus
© 1999-2010 Randall Anthony, www.hipchristmas.com and www.randysrodeo.com
5903 Belfast Drive, Austin, Texas 78723 (512) 454-2906 webmaster@hipchristmas.com
 |
 |
 |
|