In case you haven't seen it, ASCAP recently released a list of the top 10 most-played holiday songs of the year . It's a nice assortment of holiday chestnuts (lovingly roasted on an open fire, natch), as performed by 10 timeless music icons. What's most amazing to me about this is that every single one of them is a classic song, and many of the recordings have been with us for years. Not to say that the most prominent artists of today are lacking in holiday cheer -- to the contrary, holiday albums by Susan Boyle, Jackie Evancho, DC Talk's Chris Tomlin and the cast of Glee (!!!) are all flying up the Billboard charts on the wings of turtledoves. But I can't remember the last time a holiday song became a part of the formal lexicon of acknowledged classics. The first edition of ASCAP member Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" comes to mind, though its winking references to Goldie Hawn and O.J. Simpson make it a leeeeetle less universal than, say, "Winter Wonderland."
Still, there is some fantastic holiday music being written by folks that don't necessarily have their eyes on the top of the charts. And since the stakes aren't as high, an under-the-radar artist can afford to be more creative and, shall we say, irreverent in his or her delivery and subject matter. Since you've been good boys and girls this year, here's a digital stocking's worth of awesome 2010 holiday tunes by ASCAP members. Enjoy!
The Attack - "Father Christmas"
This Orlando-based street-punk quartet offers a delightfully snotty take on the already snotty Kinks holiday classic. Is there cynicism in a line like "Father Christmas, give us some money / We got no time for your stupid toys / We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over / We want your bread so don't make us annoyed / Give all the toys to the little rich boys"? Sure as a stuffed stocking. But it's also got a genuine social conscience that we should all keep in mind throughout the year. Stream The Attack's "Father Christmas" right here if you like your eggnog mixed with some piss 'n vinegar.
Matisyahu - "Miracle"
This feel-good pop anthem, from Hasidic-reggae/rap-star Matisyahu, comes with an uplifting message and a delightfully wacky video. Kudos to writers Mazik and Simcha Levenberg for their ecumenical (and psychedelic!) imagery. This is certainly the first time I've ever seen rebbes, Santas, hockey players and ancient Romans ice skating together amidst christmas trees and menorahs. Hopefully it won't be the last!
The Mynabirds - "All I Want Is Truth (for Christmas)"
A descending electric piano figure opens The Mynabirds' doleful Christmas ditty like falling snow. Lead Mynabird Laura Burhenn sings about the dark side of the holiday season, touching on how global warming, political machinations and commercialism can poison the cheer. But her gallows humor is balanced by the song's charming melody, wrapped up by the gorgeous pedal steel of J. Tom Hnatow (of ASCAP faves These United States ). You can get the song for free by entering your e-mail into the Saddle Creek widget above.
Sleepy Rebels - A Very Sleepy Christmas video
A down-on-his-luck Santa is inspired to turn his life around in this video by NYC retro-pop band Sleepy Rebels. Make sure to stay for the twist ending -- is it pure silliness? Cynicism? An aw shucks, "That's life" acceptance? You decide! Either way the song that soundtracks it, "Sweet Things," is a winner. Sleepy Rebels just released a whole album of holiday songs, called Bah! Humbug! featuring a song that's newly close to my heart, "California Christmas." Hear more at the Sleepy Rebels MySpace page .
Blackalicious - "Toy Jackpot"
This playful hip-hop crew out of Oakland has been a favorite of mine for years. The giddy flow of MC Gift of Gab (appropriate name, amiright?) handily expresses the glee of a kid eagerly waiting to open his presents, and Chief Xcel's funk-intensive beats have the shininess of holiday wrapping paper. This track is one of 14 exclusive holiday jams made available for free download by Target, including tracks by ASCAP acts Guster, Bishop Allen, Jenny O., Little Jackie, Coconut Records, Little Isidore and The Pinker Tones (PRS). Check 'em all out right here !
Vince Roselli - "Blues for Christmas"
We in no way condone the use of alcohol as a cure for lovesickness, even for Santa. We do heartily endorse the blues, however! This steamin' number finds ASCAP member Vince Roselli, straight outta Sherman Oaks, California, soothing his loneliness with a shower of hot guitar licks. We've all been in that place before, missing our respective Mrs. Clauses...and apparently so has Roselli's dog, who makes a couple quick cameo appearances.
Krysta Youngs - "Pink Christmas"
Detroit Native Krysta Youngs brings us the most original of our holiday originals. It's probably the closest to the true spirit of the holiday, too. The song's a quirky pop confection with a clever conceit about redefining the aesthetics of the holiday, but it's also devoted to a good cause -- it's part of Youngs's campaign to spread awareness about breast cancer, the disease that she watched her mother battle, and then recover from, earlier this year. Youngs will auction off 25 physical copies of the single from her website , with all the proceeds donated to the Children's Hospital in her new hometown, Nashville.
Slayer - "Raining Blood"
Okay, so "Raining Blood" isn't really a holiday song, and granted, the word "ornaments" from the song's lyric "Pierced from below / Souls of my treacherous past / Betrayed by many / Now ornaments dripping above" is probably not meant as a Christmas reference. But this holiday lightshow that some anonymous genius timed to Slayer's immortal "Raining Blood" has to be the most creative syncing of extreme sound to picture that I've ever seen, and that's a gift worth sharing over and over again.
