12/01/2006
I'm dreaming of a mildly temperate Christmas...
I'm starting to dig through my Christmas music as the cold wave is finally about to hit lil' old Delaware. It's hard to believe that this time last year, we were mid-calf deep in slushy mess as we walked to class. I don't even know how to handle the fact that I wore a t-shirt today. But I need to get into the Christmas mood, regardless of weather, because it's finally December.
I love Holiday music...it's catchy, inane, overly-sentimental pop that I can listen to and actually love myself in the morning. Christmas gives us all that special opportunity to rock out to the holiday ditties of Mariah Carey and Hanson with minimal-to-zero self-loathing. That, my friends, is the beauty of the holidays. But for those of you who aren't ready for the one millionth listen of N'Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" I offer up some holiday music that doesn't leave that sting of pop overload. Some of these I'll admit may not be traditional, but it's all about the love. So, as the night air chills for a true winter and I leave my window open because it's a bugger to get shut, I'll send some love your way. But act fast, these links prolly won't stay up too long! UPDATE: I took the links down. You totally missed out.
Sufjan Stevens - That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
This is a song I stumbled upon my senior year of high school. I was knee-deep in snow and ice in the boondocks, and my Dad decided to spend a ridiculous amount of time tending to the woodstove because a) he's a MAN and b) he loves to beat winter at her own game by saving on the heating bill. I don't blame him at all. This song is my record of that time - I even remember hearing the bit about the father "throwing the gifts in the woodstove" and getting very nervous. But Sufjan takes a stressful, dreary, hopeless Christmas and turns it into a lo-fi gem. And he loves Jesus. A lot.
Rose Polenzani - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
This is a perfect Christmas song...simple, quiet harmonies. It's practically begging you to sing along. DO IT.
Kay Starr - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix)
A nice, jazzy standard remixed with a hip-hop beat always wins. It's a formula nobody can beat. That's why this song conjures images of partygoers drunk on serious eggnog and good cheer, dancing on/stumbling on/falling onto/crashing through/attempting to repair/abandoning your sofa. But don't worry - you've got Kay Starr to keep you warm.
Otis Redding - White Christmas
There's nothing like Otis Redding during the holidays. In the midst of so much hollow-voiced pop tunes (and I'm not ragging on them, but Celine Dion needs to get the hell out of my face with that), it's necessary to hear something stronger, deeper. That is what Otis is for. He not only wishes for a white Christmas...he begs for it. You can hear it, that freedom - it's the sound of opening presents, making snow angels when you're almost twenty (!!!), and waddling around a snowy yard like a toddler, dressed in godknowswhatkindof poofy snow gear. Otis knows all of it, and he wants to give that gift to everyone.
Sufjan Stevens - Get Behind Me, Santa!
I'm not going to justify this one - it's off Sufjan's new boxed set. He really gets into Christmas - why shouldn't you?
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 1 and 2
The Crane Wife is without a doubt my favortite album of the year. It's filled with beautiful images and stories. It just so happens that my favorite track from the album (which is 11 minutes of perfection - but I digress) also has a winter setting, so BADOW! It goes into the winter mix. The gorgeousness of this song is doubled by the beautiful japanese folktale it's based on. You can read a rough outline of the story here . This song jingles with the falling of snow and the speedy treading through the cold wind and snow that we college folk know all too well.
The Honorary Title - Snow Day
"Catching the snowfall under a beam of streetlight / and I'm praying for accumulation all through the night..." We all know that feeling, hoping for a few more inches, just a few more inches and we can stay at home. It's beautiful to think of that childhood desperation - the snow had to cover everything, it just had to, or the world would end. And you'd wake up the next morning and you'd just know. You knew that your prayers had been answered: the whole world had stopped mid-step and you had a whole new world to play in.
Auto Escape - Falling Asleep In The Snow
I've never fallen asleep in the snow. I have no idea what would drive someone to the point of laying down in the frost outside someone's house, but it must be pretty serious. I stay outside for an hour and I'm suddenly very aware of my body and its need for heat. What would make someone that crazy? Oh yeah...love. Of course.
Midlake - It Covers The Hillside
It's getting cold. That means we don't have long to wait for snow. If this cold sticks, we can have a real winter. And once the snow starts, we'll come out of our dorm rooms with study-wearied eyes into the blinding light of the sun on the snow. We'll twitter with excitement, call our friends, and turn into little children again. Some things never change.
Josh Rouse - The Whole Night Through
I watched a documentary about Josh Rouse, and this song was laid over a shot of Josh riding in a car at night. There was snow all over, and the streetlights streaked across the windows. Everything looked cold and cozy and blue-grey. All I wanted to do was wrap myself up in a blanket, sit by a window, and listen to this song. I recommend you all do the same.
That's the mix - from me to you. Hopefully you'll find something that tickles your fancy, and I can get back to drinking too much Vault and having heart palpitations as I debate whether or not to close my window. It's getting a little bit cold. I'm so excited. Happy Holidays!