I can't speak for everyone else, but there are only so many times I can hear Britney Spears sing "My Only Wish This Year" in one day. Yes, of course everyone has their guilty pleasures - I kinda like that Paul McCartney one, I guess. But the same, overplayed list of holiday songs seems to dominate every radio station and every department store. In an effort to remain jolly (or bummed out as these songs suggest, your call) this holiday season, I have compiled a short list of holiday-themed songs with some indie cred for all of the bitter music snobs here in Buffalo.
Electric President - "Snow On Dead Neighborhoods"
The first winter-ish song on the list belongs to Electric President, and their glitchy electronica brings to mind the Postal Service. We in Buffalo, the "city of light," could relate to the bleak picture singer Ben Cooper paints. He sings, "Snow covers everything in sight a ghostly white, under the blanket there's no life, just blinking lights." Honestly, I think Buffalonians have plenty of fight, but in the dead of winter when we're blanketed in seven feet of snow, one might begin to think that Cooper has a point.
Interpol - "C'mere"
Interpol is a band that represents the epitome of cold, desensitized post-punk. That being said, the wintery setting for the music video for "C'mere" is a perfect compliment to their chilly riffs... that is until someone lights their cabin on fire. On the bright side, even though they're burning alive, the band is dressed to the hilt, and they still look really cool. Check out that watch on singer Paul Banks' wrist... So classy.
Mansions - "Holidaze"
Indie-rock everyman Christopher Browder is the mastermind behind Mansions and this song celebrates the disillusion some of us have a tendency to feel around the holidays. He sings, "Sitting by myself inside a tiny room, watching bad TV got nothing else to do." It's a simple song, but man, for those of us who don't feel a ton of connection to their extended families, this one really hits home. Seriously though, I'm not sure I can watch Jingle All The Way another time and feel okay about myself.
I agree with you completely Nick! Just like many people, I too have my "Classic Christmas Songs" playlist (Band-Aid, Bruce Springsteen and even the above mentioned Paul McCartney) but you can only listen to those songs so many times before you want to stick a candy cane in your ear!
I want to add a few tunes to your list that I discovered (surprisingly) off of free playlist Target was giving away last Christmas:
Best Coast - I Got Something For You (Nice Lo-Fi Holiday jam)
Blackalicious - Toy Jackpot (Great beat with interesting holiday sampling.)
Both are unique alternatives to the traditional holiday song.
Good call on the Best Coast track. Really dig that one.