Rare News Desk
Though December hasn’t even hit double-digits yet, Christmas music has still reached a point of overplay. If you turn on a handful of radio stations on the FM dial, you will be bombarded by the old standards. Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”, Mariah Carey with “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, and so on and so forth.
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There is certainly nothing wrong with these songs, but its always a good idea to switch things up. Here are some artists you may not know released Christmas albums.
Bright Eyes
Conor Oberst, the Omaha, Nebraska native responsible for the dark tones of Bright Eyes songs, is known for his rather bleak outlook and depressing singing voice. The childlike Oberst has a certain nasally pitch that gives any of his songs a distinct feel. His normal songs are traditionally the fodder for the soundtrack of a teenage girl (and me), his Christmas album however, is quite unique. 2002’s “A Christmas Album” was released right before the high water mark of Oberst’s career. All proceeds of the album have gone to a Nebraskan AIDS charity.
If you are used to overtly cheerful holiday music, this album is not for you. The traditional compositions are given an overtly bleak recording that provides for some haunting Christmas listening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfeKLSjSxL0
Hall & Oates
2006’s “Home for Christmas” is at times as cheerful and uplifting as the Bright Eyes album is bleak. Though Hall & Oates can’t hit the same absurdly high notes they could in the early 1980s, the album isn’t a terrible listen. Though the album was originally given a limited release in 2006, it has since gone on to become a widely available holiday favorite. Though the album is certainly decent and pleasant listening, it is missing the quintessential Hall & Oates Christmas masterpiece, 1983’s recording of “Jingle Bell Rock”. The song does appear on the album, but in re-recorded form. It isn’t extremely different, but is certainly lacking the addition of this absolutely ridiculous video.
Twisted Sister
Many years ago I received “A Twisted Christmas” as a Secret Santa gift. I haven’t participated in many Secret Santa’s but the absurdity of this record stands out. I’m not really sure why it exists, or who is responsible for the idea of having a 1980s two-hit wonder butcher some of the worlds favorite songs. It certainly is an interested listen, especially for people who are more masochistically inclined. I’d imagine that Bing Crosby beat somebody with a sack of oranges in heaven for this one.
Cee-Lo Green
In 2012, when he wasn’t busy hosting “The Voice” or being accused of slipping ectasy into a girls drinks, Cee-Lo Green record a Christmas album. For anyone that has ever laid their eyes on the diminutive R&B singer, they have a good idea of what to expect. “Cee-Lo’s Magic Moment” is best known for the most absurd cover of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” ever put to wax (I mean MP3). If you feel like losing a little bit of faith in Christmas magic, check out the accompanying video.
Ringo Starr
John Lennon and Paul McCartney are both known for some legendary Christmas songs. Ringo Starr, the oft teased Beatles drummer threw an album into the ring in the late 90s. “I Wanna Be Santa Claus” is a pretty terrible album with a pretty terrible title and an even creepier album cover. As with most things Ringo has done since the late 1970s, this album is certainly lacking the ole college try. The album’s standout track is a surprising Ringo original. “Come on Christmas, Come on” isn’t the best Christmas song in the world, but it is certainly the best on the album.
