Low - Christmas

Chairkicker

£13.95

Format: CD
Catalogue No.: CKU001
Barcode: 7 96441 89992 0
Release Date: 30 Jan 23 (back in)
Genre: Alternative

ALL-TIME FAVE CHRISTMAS ALBUM BACK IN PRINT.
We would suggest that few bands from an ostensibly "indie rock" background should release Christmas music, if not out of respect for the holiday or material then at least out of a sense of self- esteem. Low, however, were made for this. Their attention to musical detail combined with the heavenly vocal harmonies of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker are perfectly attuned to both traditional carols like “Silent Night” and more contemporary tunes such as “Blue Christmas.” Now this is a recording you can pull out to pre-empt another dose of Bing Crosby or Englebert Humperdink.
Christmas contains a selection of seasonal songs, including four originals by the band, mostly recorded at Low’s 20o Below studio in Duluth, MN. “If You Were Born Today” and “Blue Christmas” were released as a 7 inch single in 1997 on the English Wurlitzer Jukebox label, while “Taking Down The Tree” is taken from a 1998 compilation of live recordings issue by the Dutch VPRO radio station.
context: Low's first six albums, from 1994's "I Could Live in Hope" through 2002's "Trust", are arguably the finest group of consecutive half-dozen albums released by any artist in the last 25 years. In the midst of this amazing run, they released this holiday themed EP on their own Chairkicker's imprint, and in the process they achieved the seemingly impossible; recording a holiday album devoid of false sentimentality and crass commercial concerns. Not only do they add their trademark american gothic touch (as in Grant Wood, not black eyeliner and the children of the night) to classics and originals alike, they manage to invite even secular listeners to reflect on what should be the true meaning of the holiday; love, peace and compassion for others.
track listing: 1. Just Like Christmas 2. Long Way Around The Sea 3. Little Drummer Boy 4. If You Were Born Today 5. Blue Christmas 6. Silent Night 7. Taking Down The Tree 8. One Special Gift
quotes:
"Amidst the ever crowded sea of blank holiday muzak that hits the airwaves like clockwork every year, Low's "Christmas" is a shining beacon of hope under my tree." Godsend Online
"An irony free Christmas album that doesn't reek of opportunism from an unpreachy band is simply a godsend." Alternative Press