I hate Christmas (music). I had intented to put together an Acts of Volition Radio session of Christmas music that doesn’t suck, but I could only turn up a few songs and didn’t quite have time.
So, for those with the means to find the music on their own, here is a quick list of Christmas music that doesn’t suck:
The First Noel by The Crash Test Dummies
This comes from an entire disc of Christmas songs. Though I have only heard this one track, there is a possiblity that the other tracks also do not suck.Christmastime by the Smashing Pumkins
This song, from the A Very Special Christmas compilation from 1997, is one of the only modern Christmas songs I’ve heard that captures that elusive “Christmas carol” sound, yet manages to not suck.
I’m told there is also a good Barenaked Ladies / Sarah McLachlan Christmas single from a year or two ago – but I am unable to confirm it’s suck/doesn’t-suck status. Also, Jon Hicks points to The Darkest Night of the Year by Over the Rhine. It too doesn’t suck.
Hope your Christmas doesn’t suck. Look for a new session of Acts of Volition Radio in the days after Christmas.
Comments
Mella - December 24, 2003 7:15 pm
That's too bad that you're not into Christmas music. That may be my favourite part of the holiday.
Have you heard "Gabriel's Message" by Sting? I'm guessing you might be into that. And what do you think of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Bandaid? It may be cheesey as hell and culturally prejudiced, but it's a classic. If not the original, perhaps the version by Barenaked Ladies, Guster and Dido may be to your liking?
Check 'em out.
Merry Christmas!
Jordan - December 25, 2003 1:36 am
A family member bought They Might Be Giants' Holidayland EP for me (as part of their Gigantic Winter Bundle), but it's yet to arrive so I can't recommed it, as such. But you might want to check it out.
Mark Paschal - December 25, 2003 2:02 am
I like the Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLachlan song, but then, I filled up a mix disc in 2001 with other Christmas music I liked. A lot of it came from the classic MetaFilter thread on Christmas music that doesn't suck. Last year I felt kind of obligated and trawled Art of the Mix and the rest of the web for a whole CD more, but I lost the list and gave the disc to a friend.
Quite enjoying the Acts of Volition Radio sets. Merry Christmas!
Mark McQuaid - December 26, 2003 1:34 am
I too have a hatred for shitty overplayed christmas music..However since i have heard a wicked band from Halifax called Wintersleep cover We Three Kings, i have a new appreciation for the music...almost...Download and Enjoy as i certainly have
Matthew - December 26, 2003 1:54 am
Beck does a nice version of The Little Drummer Boy. Robot voices and general funkiness.
Lola - December 26, 2003 9:42 am
Who could forget the gift that keeps on giving? <a href="www.hyperlaunch.com/thedarkness/thedarknessXmas.html">The Darkness's new Christmas Single</a>.
Steven Garrity - December 26, 2003 2:11 pm
Good suggestions all around - there's more Christmas music that doesn't suck than I thought. Keep 'em coming.
Oh, and Mike, I too have a weakness for "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Bandaid.
Rob - December 26, 2003 4:46 pm
I'm assuming you mean <i>pop</i> Christmas songs. Of the non-poppish variety, I would argue the majority do not suck.
Anyway, The Dandy Warhols have a fun 'cover' of Little Drummer Boy. I like that one. It even got a video.
Mark - December 26, 2003 11:13 pm
Well, of course there's the Beatles classics.
Honourable mentions:
-Skydiggers' version of Good King Wenceslas
-Fats Domino doing Silver Bells
And call it 'Seasonal' music.....Auld Lang Syne has a pretty special place in our musical lexicon.
Looking forward to another year of Acts of Volition. Merry Christmas everyone.
Steven Perry - December 27, 2003 1:54 am
I made a pretty good compilation of Christmas music that doesn't suck. The Barenaked Ladies & Sarah Mclaughlan track is among them, but here's a few of the others.
Run D.M.C. - Christmas In Hollis
Goldfinger - White Christmas
Blues Traveler - Christmas <- very good!
The Odds - Kings of Orient
Wesley Willis - Merry Christmas <- I couldn't resist...
I've also got two great Sting Christmas songs, and Oi to the World by No Doubt, which doesn't sound a whole lot like a Christmas song, but is still alright.
There's also the South Park Christmas album, which, while quite offensive at times, always gets me in the Christmas spirit.
colin_zr - December 27, 2003 1:08 pm
I also loath Christmas music in general. But Low's Christmas EP is wonderful. In particular, Long Way Around The Sea and If You Were Born Today are beautiful songs.
There's a low quality MP3 of Long Way Around The Sea on their website.
Mike Chew - December 10, 2004 12:55 pm
ok... The BareNaked Ladies/ Sarah McLaughlin Track definitely doesn't suck.... BNL also did Green Christmas (for the Grinch)which is noticably absent of suckiness... however... the all time king for best Christmas Tune has to go to Ray Charles (ahhh how we miss you) for his version of The Spirit of Christmas... Good enough to make Clark W. Griswald cry