The following is a not so small selection of the Christmas related videos that I've been enjoying this season. I hope the same for you, dearest readers. There's a lot more here than usual, but do you really have anything better to do over the next few days?
Remember friends, be kind to each other, and if we don't get the chance to talk between now and the New Year, may you all have a lovely next decade full of free downloads, Monday night residencies, record release parties and ironically themed parties.
1) I'll start with one of the most depressing Christmas songs I've been able to unearth (I hold the unpopular belief that, as much as I love Kirsty McColl, the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" is highly overrated*). But Tom Waits' "Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis" is drink-yourself-to-sleep-on-Christmas-Eve gold.
*While a little schmaltzy, this version by Paloma Faith and Scouting for Girls isn't half bad though.
2) Extremely talented underage Swedish underage duo First Aid Kit, made famous by this Fleet Foxes cover, have made an equally lovely cover of Blue Christmas (which I learned recently was not recorded originally by Elvis in 1957, but rather by Ernest Tubb in 1948).
3) I don't think that Nellie McKay's "A Christmas Dirge" has yet established itself in the canon of "new" Christmas songs, but I think it deserves a spot as much as any. Great, great message in there too. Give it a few years.
4) I love this gem by Murdered Man, "Christmas in Little Armenia". As you may recall, Murdered Man also brought us the smash single "Summer School". Six months later, we are long overdue for another seasonal composition from this fellow.
And VH1's Behind the Music (as imagined by Murdered Man) on The Jingle Cats (featured prominently in the previous video):
5) Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have a gas powered, switch operated, fully functional, pilot-light inspired fireplace. If you are one of the unlucky many to lack this wonderful appliance, you'll find Two Sheds' "Yuletide Fireplace" extremely useful. Not only does it feature a Vimeo-powered burning fireplace image to emanate from your computer screen, the fire is accompanied by a full hour of lovely Two Sheds tunes. Check it!
Two Sheds Yuletide Fireplace from Two Sheds on Vimeo.
Click here for larger version!
6) British born twins Luke and Joe McGary's Los Angeles based project Pop Noir bring you this relatively straightforward version of "The Little Drummer Boy." It's hard to beat the absurdity of the Crosby/Bowie version of this, but the smirky expressions on their faces and the green screen special effects make this a fine, fine supplement.
7) I actually discovered Badly Drawn Boy's "Donna and Blitzen" on my iPod about a week ago, despite having had the mp3 for years. Whoops!
8) A few months ago, I posted Pomplamoose's cover of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" but soon discovered that the net had discovered these guys well before I did. Fine. I bet you haven't seen their version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" yet, right? You have?
9) O Holy Night is possibly my favorite Christmas song, even when sung by the likes of folks like very dreadful Josh Groban (who I celebrity spotted a few days ago at Bristol Farms buying flowers). This version, however, is possibly one of the worst versions of any song I've ever heard. About a minute or two in, expect to either be cringing in pain, or peeing in your pants with laughter. This particular video is one of many in which randoms perform their own lip sync. I think this guy does a serviceable job, but the recording (by an unknown "singer") is what makes it a holiday classic.
Eric Cartman's version isn't so bad either.
10) From the highly recommended website Everything is Terrible, this compilation of all terrible things Christmas (featuring the Jingle Cats) is a must see:
THE MAJESTY OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC from Everything Is Terrible on Vimeo.
Check out the site for more of these horrors.
11) The Flaming Lips are selling a Silver Trembling Fetus Christmas Ornament. Possibly too late for you to order this for your 2009 tree, but I'm sure it will be very useful in 2010. Check out the promotional video.
Is it me, or does Wayne Coyne not look a little like El Guapo?
12) One of Weird Al's many underappreciated masterpieces, and one of the most impressive karaoke performances I've seen: "The Night Santa Went Crazy":
In case you missed Weird Al's bizarre performance of the Pixies' "I Bleed" at the Echoplex earlier this month, look here.
13) Sally Shapiro's "Anorak Christmas" doesn't actually mention the word "Christmas" once. In fact, I think the closest it gets is the line "a cold December night." I understand her style of music to be described as "Italo Disco." I have no f'ing clue what exactly that means, but this is one of the rare dance songs that gets me weepy feeling almost every time (sorry no video here!):
14) I'm not sure I like this Neil Diamond cover of Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song." In fact, I'm pretty sure I don't like it. I found the song funny for the first few years, but I'm not so sure how well it's aged. Either way, the mere existence of this is bizarre enough that I think it's worth sharing with you.
15) One of my favorite SNL Christmas skits. Every year I put "Bag O' Glass" on my Amazon Wish List for Christmas. I'm still waiting, friends.
16) From A John Waters' Christmas of a few years ago, "Santa Claus is a Black Man" is just plain adorable:
17) Not Christmas related, but one of L.A's best bands, the Pity Party (who played at Saturday's Christmas Sweater Festival) have a new video for "Wanting Want", directed by Joaquin Poblete. Not quite as drum heavy as their other work with which I am familiar, but this mostly split screen video features some extremely effective acting by the duo, as well as children of various ages. Via Buzzbands.
18) As long as we are talking about L.A. based duos, here's a new video for "Pretty Rested" from the February Fifths from their latest release Analog Summer, all shot in one take in the gorgeous exurb of Riverside, California.
It's a fact: February 5th was the date of the earthquake in Pompeii in 62 A.D., South Carolina ratified the Articles of the Confederation in 1778 and Hank Aaron was born in 1934.
Want more Christmas themed videos? Check out Buzzfeed's roundup of the 10 Most Depressing Christmas Songs.
Merry Christmas to all, and Happy New Year (you're my only vice!). Email me at RFSLJed at gmail dot com.
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