Here are (a few of) my favorite "new" Christmas songs. You know...the lovely little ones that aren't yet Christmas classics but should and probably will become new staples.
Christmas Lights by Coldplay
Such a sad, beautiful song. I love the imagery that the lyrics and Chris Martin's voice conjure up.
The Christmas Song by The Raveonettes
So unique for a Christmas song, but still so pretty.
The Cowboy Christmas Ball by The Killers
The Killers' newest Christmas song. All of theirs are new classics to me, and are all spectacularly different.
Pennsylvania Holiday by Valencia
Say what you like, but as a total PA girl, there is no other song that comes close to depicting Pennsylvania at Christmas time. I dare all you PA'ers to listen and not feel a single twinge of nostalgia or understanding.
Can you think of any others?
As always, thank you to the big brother for introducing me to these and many others.
I'm going to try to post something fun that is holiday-related every day for the month of December, because the holiday season makes my heart sing and I like to share the joy. Don't worry, I won't actually sing.
I know that not everyone is not like me, and some people need to ease into this festive time, so here are some of my favorite Christmas/Winter songs that aren't too Christmas-y (meaning, they are not constantly being played on the radio/in stores/on the street/on television/in your head during December).
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
A nice, slightly sad, winter song that does not mention Christmas even once. Also, can these two lovely ladies do more duets? And how cute is the music video?
River by Joni Mitchell, Live
Again, kind of sad, but so amazingly beautiful. This one does mention Christmas, but it is not the main focus, and is part of a completely non-Christmas album (love love love Blue). There are many wonderful covers of this song, but the original is unsurpassable.
Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons
All you need to know about this song is that it is Mumford and Sons singing a winter song. Perfect for cozying up by the fire on a chilly night.
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
Take what I just said about Winter Winds, but replace Fleet Foxes with Mumford and Sons.
2000 Miles by Coldplay, Live (The Pretenders Cover)
Um, is anyone else starting to sense a theme? Apparently, I equate sad Christmas-ish songs with not being too Christmas-y. Either way, I love this version of this Pretenders classic.
Winter Song by Caesars
I also seem to think that if a song has the word "Winter" in the title, it's automatically appropriate for December without being too holiday-centric.
Did I miss any?
Hope this helps ease everyone into the holiday season!
I know that I technically already talked about this, but I can not help it, I just keep listening to Mylo Xyloto from start to finish, over and over again. I never tire of it.
When you listen to the album in its entirety, you can feel the story behind the songs. You experience the struggle of love in a time of hardship and the hope for a brighter future.
Not many bands and artists commit to the tall-order of making a concept album anymore. But Coldplay did, and they did it in such a way that is truly tremendous.
Also, I love all of the Peter Pan references. Simply another way in which these songs fly you to another world.
Fall brings many a’wondrous thing. Leaves changing colors, pumpkins and apples galore, snuggle-y weather, and some great new music releases. Rather than featuring the latest artist I have been listening, I thought I would mention my favorite new albums from some of my already-favorite artists. So here you go (in no particular order):
Feist – Metals
Feist is probably most widely known for the hit “1234” from her 2007 album, The Reminder, which was featured on a popular iPod Nano commercial. If you are looking for another “1234”-type song, this album isn’t for you. If you are looking for an even more soulful album than the 2007 hit, you have come to the right place.
Having been recorded on a cliff in Big Sur, it almost seems as if the ocean winds have seeped into Metals. Some songs are bare and simple with just Feist’s sweet voice and a guitar, others consist of rising melodies, percussion, and strings. Each song on its own takes you on a journey, one that you don’t really want to come back from, but woven together, the album takes you straight to those famous rocky cliffs, and let’s you stay there. But my favorite song, by far, is Cicadas and Gulls. Described as “the early morning song”, it is a song for sunrises and sweet goodbyes.
It is clear by Metals that Feist’s continuing evolution as an artist means that we can only expect increasingly wonderful music from her.
blink-182 – Neighborhoods
Anyone who was over the age of 8 in the 90’s has a strong fondness for blink-182. Their music was a late 90’s staple, hands-down one of the defining bands for that time period. Since then, these guys have been through a lot while on an indefinite (now finite) hiatus, including side-projects and a plane crash.
Now back and raring to go with the album Neighborhoods, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who did some growing-up since the last blink album. This album showcases the best of the boys that we knew and loved years ago, but it has a more mature sound than what we’ve seen from them in the past.
Welcome back to the neighborhood. It was worth the wait.
Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
Do I really need to explain this one?
It’s Coldplay.
It’s Coldplay doing a concept album.
It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album.
It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album, inspired by 1970’s New York City graffiti.
It’s Coldplay doing a “love story with a happy ending” in a “dystopian-urban environment” concept album, inspired by 1970’s New York City graffiti, that just dropped today and I’m already in love.
What more explanation do you need?
Oh, okay, fine, here:
I think Rollingstone put it best when it described the album as "a bear-hug for bear-market society".
She & Him – A Very She & Him Christmas
Again, this was just released today and I feel that there is no greater explanation for its wonderfulness other than the fact that it is Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward singing Christmas songs. I’m a particular fan of the good ol’ classics on here: “Have Yourself and a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song”
Let me reiterate: Zooey. Singing. Christmas Songs.
If you are one of those people right now saying either a. “But it’s October” or b. “I hate Christmas music”. I challenge you here and now to listen to the album first, then you can go ahead be a Grinch all you want
Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials
Okay, this one I am kind of cheating on since it doesn’t come out for another week still.
But, but, but I have already listened to “Shake It Out” and “What the Water Gave Me” about 100 times each already!
Florence Welch can do no wrong in my eyes. Lungs is hard to beat, but I will not be surprised if Ceremonials blows it out of the water. Then I can say the water gave me lungs (yea, I don’t know either…just go with it).
Honorable Mentions: Jack’s Mannequin’s People and Things (Andrew McMahon I will always cherish our time together, but you lost me along the way somewhere), MuteMath’s Odd Soul (good, but perfect example of a band that is failing to really evolve with each record), and Ryan Adams’ Ashes and Fire (simply on here because I heard it’s great, I just have listened to it yet)
What new albums have you heard and loved this fall?
