Last year Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler set out to do the impossible: to record a Christmas album whilst largely omitting much of the schmalz associated with this merry season. On ‘This Is Chrismtas‘ they succeeded in releasing a thoroughly enjoyable album. Having already toured the album in 2011 they were back at it this month with a string of fun filled performances across the UK.
Of all the tracks the one I found myself coming back to most often was the delightful “Zombie Christmas“. The absurd alternative scenario presented still cracks me up so I was pleased to discover the duo went and filmed a video to go along with it.
Add this to my favourite alternative Christmas anthems along with this excellentThe Hives & Cyndi Lauper duet.
Happy Christmas or anything else you are celebrating. Here are a couple of tunes with a twist to get you into the holiday spirit.
The Hives joined up with Cyndi Lauper a few years back to release what is the ultimate anti-christmas anthem. It works a treat although Miss Lauper‘s transition from just a girl who just wants to have fun to “going down on your mother” is pretty extreme. I blame The Hives.
Before Braille are an Arizona band who unleashed a string of amazing releases in the middle of the 00′s. Remaining largely under the radar “Merry Christmas, I’m cheating” showcases frontman David Jensen‘s knack for a melody and sharp lyrical wit.
I swear news of this collaboration between Emmy The Great and Tim Wheeler album started filtering through sometime in the summer. Back then it seemed ridiculous to even mention Christmas in a post but with the festive period looming it’s time to unwrap this collaboration.
The duo even took these songs live earlier this month with performances in Reading, Brighton and London which sounded relaxed are carefree. In fact it Looks like this entire ‘This Is Christmas‘ project was a fun experience for the duo to be part.
Tracks like ‘Zombie Christmas’ and ‘Home For Holidays’ ensure we will have a different type of festive soundtrack to cheer us up.
Last May‘s Camden Crawl was one of my gigs of the year featuring some fine Cougar approved talent all playing just a few minutes away from my doorstep. In preparation for next year’s event the promoters have also been throwing CC 2011 Tips Series featuring fresh emerging talent.
The 15th of December at the Bull & Gate will represent the 3rd instalment and is doubling up as the Camden Crawl Christmas party. Bands featuring will be Wild Palms, Bear Driver, The Slow Revolt and Heart Kill Giant.
We have a pair of tickets to giveaway for the event: To enter join our Facebookpage and comment on the CC 2001 post or comment below saying “I want in!”
Winner will be contacted on Sunday 12th of December.
From tomorrow Cougar Microbes takes a retrospective look at 2009 starting with the best releases of the year, top picks by the people who have contributed to the site as well as the best concerts covered.
Happy holidays and thank you for checking out this music blog over the year.
Cougar approved collective Twin Falls have got one last trick up their sleeve before 2009 fizzles out thanks to a seasonal single titled aptly ‘Maybe It’s Christmas‘.
In anticipation of their forthcoming EP ‘The Seasoned Times‘ click here to hear it and also for a myriad of cool options to purchase the single and its b-side ‘Silent Night‘.
I had managed to avoid making any reference to the festive period up until this moment…. but when Cougar Microbes favourites Yoni Gordon and the Goods sent me their charity single I knew I would have to break that rule.
Yoni and co. are putting our a Christmas single this week. The A-side is a a cover of the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York” which features Mr Franz Nicolay (of The Hold Steady fame) and special guest vocalist Emilyn Brodsky. The other song is a full band reworking of the 2005 track ‘On All Night‘
The band are asking for a five dollar donation to Feeding Americafor downloading the songs. Feeding America is a charity that partners with local foodbanks throughout the country in order to help out million of Americans that are going without food this season.
Get it here, Pass on the message and happy holidays from the Cougar team.
Christmas was celebrated a little early this year to pre-empt the mass exodus from London. In a couple of days we’ll be heading out of the city to see family/friends, relax and generally get away. There is no such thing as a holiday from this blog though so expect a feature on the top artists/releases for the year that was.
In other news: producer to the stars Ben G. has released his annual Christmas compilation. Going strong since 2004, this years edition features tracks sung exclusively by female vocalists. Usually they come on neat 8cm CDRs but it seems the credit crunch (or possibly a move to Canada) is affecting our Christmas entertainment too. Despite this minor detail I really enjoyed this year’s edition and Macmacmac rock.
Happy Christmas/Hanukkah or anything else you are celebrating to you all. Here are a couple of tunes with a twist to get you into the holiday spirit. I feel I should be sitting in front of a fireplace with my new robe on, a glass of port and a Cuban cigar.
How did Cyndi Lauper go from just wanting to have fun to “going down on your mother”? Easy, introduce her to The Hives. This is soon becoming the ultimate anti-christmas anthem.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
