Tired of the usual stodgy musical fare that Christmas has to offer? Sick to the back teeth of Band Aid and bloody Slade everywhere you go? I know I am. Even my old favourite, The Pogues’ wonderful ‘A Fairytale Of New York’ has become overplayed at this time of year. To provide some relief, here are 15 alternative Christmas crackers for you to wrap your ears round. After all, Christmas is a time for indie: as the old joke goes, ‘Why does Santa come down the chimney? Because the door is too mainstream’. So, enjoy!
1) Julian Casablancas – ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’
The Strokes frontman released this as a bonus track on his debut solo album Phrazes For The Young. Sounds like his band but with sleigh bells instead of hi-hats, but it’s still a good-time post-punk stomper.
2) The Futureheads – ‘Christmas Was Better In The ‘80s’
Quiet a-cappella intro explodes in to a livewire, cheesy-grin-inducing riff, replete with the band gleefully harmonising ‘Hallelujah!’ to nobody’s surprise.
3) Belle & Sebastian – ‘The Fox In The Snow’
Not technically a Christmas song, but this beguiling piece of string-laden chamber pop from B&S’s 1997 masterpiece If You’re Feeling Sinister has a wintry theme and is simply too charming to be ignored.
4) Best Coast & Wavves – ‘Got Something For You’
Two California surf-punk bands come together for a cheerful romp, all close high-end harmonies, jingly sleigh bells and unashamedly soppy words. As cute as a puppy in a Christmas stocking.
5) Ramones – ‘Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)’
New York punk legends deliver a poppy, upbeat number. Though it’s not dissimilar to the rest of their output (Xmas bells sound effects are the only thing to differentiate from a standard Ramones song), it’ll nevertheless put a smile on your face.
6) The Killers – ‘The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball’
For seven consecutive years, The Killers have released a special Christmas single. This, from 2011, is the best of the (mixed) bunch, its country-rodeo rhythm propping up a camp, catchy xylophone riff.
7) Saint Etienne – ‘I Was Born On Christmas Day’
English indie/dance veterans Saint Etienne’s festive offering features a typically Eurotrash house rhythm, made memorable by Sarah Cracknell’s purring vocal performance.
8) The Knife – ‘Christmas Reindeer’
As sad as telling a child that Santa isn’t real, only The Knife could make you this depressed at Christmas. Karin Dreijer Anderson’s chanted vocals sound deliciously possessed as minimalist beats burble and ping away in the background. For all the Grinches and Scrooges among us.
9) Sufjan Stevens – ‘Christmas In The Room’
Reminding us of the true Christmas spirit, the alt-folk legend gives us this sparse, wintry delight. A simple piano hook and electronic twinkles are the only accompaniments as Stevens sings “no presents to give / they’re all wrapped up inside our hearts”. Awww.
10) Summer Camp – ‘Christmas Wrapping’
A stylish cover of The Waitresses’ cheerful but naff original, Summer Camp’s sparky electro version is faithful to the vocal part but little else.
11) The Fall – ‘Jingle Bell Rock (live)’
The post-punk stalwarts covered the Christmas classic in their inimitable style during their 1994 John Peel session. Mark E Smith inscrutably rants about some old nonsense to do with M&S bags and Post Offices rotting in hell while the band merrily thrashes along.
12) Oasis – ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
A vast improvement on Slade’s infuriating original. Featuring just Noel Gallagher on an acoustic guitar, this stripped-down, slow version gives off a warm atmosphere and that exciting anticipation of Christmas Eve.
13) Manic Street Preachers – ‘Last Christmas (live)’
Okay, I said we weren’t going to go mainstream, but this acoustic live version of the Wham! classic is well worth your attention, as a clearly half-cut James Dean Bradfield endearingly shambles his way through two choruses and a verse.
14) Low – ‘Just Like Christmas’
The American slowcore duo released this alternative classic as a fan club giveaway in December 1999. A wintry, shimmering wonder, great to listen to as a train speeds you back to your folks on a cold Christmas Eve, this is the metaphorical star on top of the tree. Absolutely beautiful.
15) Glasvegas – ‘A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)’
Introspective, pained, yet widescreen and utterly gorgeous, Glasvegas were made for Christmas music. You can practically hear the snow fall as the chiming glockenspiel opens and closes the song. Guaranteed to bring out the romantic in everyone.
Merry Christmas one and all!
Words: Ed Biggs