Sunday, November 22, 2009

It's hard to place it... but it smells like christmas.

As the weather gets colder and the trees become bare...
The one thing that's on every one's mind is Christmas.
Presents, decorations, vacations... there's so much to think about.
One of my favourite parts about Christmas is - unsurprisingly - the music!
I've already begun making a Christmas mix CD to enjoy while warming up beside the faux-fireplace under the sparkling lights of the faux-christmas tree. Here are a few interesting additions to consider squeezing in amongst your favourite classics!

Goldfrapp - Winter Wonderland
Goldfrapp applies their signature 'trip-hop' sound to this classic winter song, making it an ambient trip down the snowy city streets covered in blinking lights and technology.
This groovy electronica song fits perfectly with our fast paced Christmas season, and makes you want to dance and go carolling all at the same time.
That's what I call a job well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBOPTGs9KU

Imogen Heap - Just For Now
This masterpiece by Imogen swirls with beautiful harmonies and gentle synths. While it isn't the most traditionally 'Christmassy'-sounding song, it still effectively outlines the tension of this season's family get-togethers. Imogen persuades you to leave all your differences at the door, (just for now,) so as to make this Christmas an enjoyable one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpkKPimVjm8

Flyleaf - The Christmas Song
Here, Flyleaf loses their usual harder rock edge and gives us a heartfelt acoustic track showing us the Christmas story in a different light. Lacey Mosley's distinctive voice retells us the age old story of Mary "the frightened virgin teenage girl" who has been chosen to give birth to "this baby, who's precious brow is ready for thorns". Despite the darker, more mellow tone, this song is still an enjoyable addition to any Christmas soundtrack with beautiful guitar and heart wrenching strings as accompaniment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SfD-2my4uw

Now, my love of Christmas music is so great that I could not fit it all into just this post. I'm sure there will be more posts in the future outlining some more great Christmas (and New Year) selections for your listening enjoyment ;)
And I know that it's not even December yet but...
That's no reason not to start preparations early!

4 comments:

  1. Very true, its never to early to be happy about christmas.
    I liked how you showed the changes that have evolved with christmas, we have hip hop christmas songs, playing with the faux everything.
    This was a good post, very effective description of the music.

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  2. I like how you gave a brief 'review' for each of the songs. It was short and sweet but still concise. You justified your choices well, in just a few short lines.

    I also like how you touched on the evolution of times. How Christmas is more 'modernized' with hip hop and electronica that works in cohesion with today's fast paced holiday season.

    I look forward to your other song choices.

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  3. Oh my goodness, how i love Christmas and Christmas music, it's the greatest! I really loved the music you've shared, and you've done so in such a great manner, this is very organized, and easy to read. Fun fun fun. Ah, new christmas music ftw :D

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  4. WHY DID YOU NOT MENTION THE CHIPMUNKS!
    :P

    ahh , jordan, i love being introduced to new music.. it is a christmas present within itself. I didn't know imogean heap had a christmas-y tune. i will look it up for sure!

    Your reviews were well written, and made me curious to check out the songs I hadn't heard. of course, this post also made em think of my own christmas traditions. playing on that aspect was pretty clever! (your analysis is also well done!)

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