LogFAQs > #893394752

I should have gone with a Christmas tune apparently!

Muse - Showbiz
It's true, I skipped this album and went straight to Origins of Symmetry. This seems to represent them at their most stripped-down and straight-forward, a simple build-up to showcase Bellamy's signature intensity/hyperventilating falsetto. It's pretty well-realized for a first album although I'd argue they went on to write much more involving song structures over the course of their next few albums. And for the record, I never quite got the Radiohead comparison myself.

The Alan Parsons Project - Somebody Out There
A peppy identity theft anthem, I'm into it. Guess I should expand my APP knowledge because I've only really heard I Robot but I love that record. I don't think this song gets to that same level but it kinda fits into a brand of wistful 70's piano rock (Elton John, Supertramp) that generally agrees with my taste.

Panzerballet - Let It Snow
This is my kind of cover, a wild recontextualization that goes well beyond the scope of the original and manages to transcend its own ridiculousness by taking itself so seriously as a composition. By the time the intro riff recapitulates at the end I'm totally sold on the sincerity of a damn Christmas carol as prog metal pulp. Bravo!

Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
Good old HCJ. I found out about this guy in reverse, first knew him from movie Bug before realizing he was actually a musician. The latter is way more appreciable, I've always been fond of the great american songbook/tin pan alley style of torch that he keeps lit. It's a bit sappy but around this time of year when I'm visiting relatives it's incredibly cathartic and nostalgic.

Sufjan Stevens - Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)
This is an affront to Santa. 'Sufjan' just declared War on Christmas with this cheer-souring, unjolly lump of charcoal in the stocking of domestic despair. It sounds decent I guess.

Frank Ocean - Chanel
Dig the use of autotune and the delicacy of production (it really comes through on headphones). Melty and tranquil with a glistening hook, Frank's music aspires to a beauty that rap deserves more often.

DMX - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I don't even think he's in tune but that makes it funnier. It's more of a drunk karaoke than a proper cover...one stronger in concept than execution.

Alexander Jean ft. Casey Abrams - We Three Kings
One of the more musically interesting Carols that doesn't get overplayed, lyrically it's bit too on the religious bent for my singing along to. It was penned surprisingly recently for how much of a medieval vibe it gives off. This rendition is servicable and well-balanced but nothing jumped out at me as uniquely special about it.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Nights in Blue
Too cornball theatrical for me, especially the singer. Like, settle down with the fuckin' tossed salad and scrambled eggs okay Louis Armstrong? Guy thinks he's Louis Armstrong over here.

August Burns Red - Sleigh Ride
There's some bomb drum fills and a neat jazzy interlude that I might appreciate more if Panzerballet hadn't already cornered the market on it with Let It Snow. Thunder stolen! Still kinda fun though.

Brockhampton - Bleach
Similar to the Frank Ocean tune but the rapper seems more dominated by the track behind him - that has its own appeal but in a way where I'd rather just listen to the instrumental, which sounds lush and labored over and in control. I believe this is the second Brockhampton song in the club so far and I'm just not yet convinced in the talent of the rapper.