This just might be the Christmas collection of the year - or the last few years, for that matter. There's always been a shortage of good rock or modern Christmas tunes compared to contemporary or traditional music, but Happy Christmas should make up for it at last. Featuring both traditional carols and original songs, both favorite artists and new faces, it's got something for everyone and plenty of coolness to save you from another boring holiday. BEC Recordings has brought their own stable of artists (plus a few from Tooth & Nail) to join forces with artists from Sparrow, re:think, 5 Minute Walk, and ForeFront, creating a nice mix of styles and interpretations. And, since this project contains the first recordings from some new bands like Chasing Furies, One Eighty, and House of Wires, you get an idea of what you'll hear from them in the future. Overall, it's my new favorite Christmas album this season.
There's so much to like about Happy Christmas: the first ska carols I've ever heard (Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy), creative remakes (Joy Electric), and shining talent from artists you knew were impressive already (Sarah Masen, Seven Day Jesus). Even the tracks from lesser-known bands like Pep Squad, Puller, and Bon Voyage are surprising and good - you won't expect them the way they appear here. Puller's original "Saviour Of The Fools" is a great way to close the album, returning attention from the holiday spirit to the Reason for the season. A couple tracks are a bit iffy, but hey, they rock, and sometimes that's enough.
Plankeye just isn't the same without Scott Siletta, but they try really hard, so you have to admire their "Away In A Manger" - especially the vocals in the round. The "mysterious" Almonzo has supposedly returned from a 3-year absence to deliver a dark, scary rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." The Huntingtons and the Dingees also turn in valiant efforts that, while interesting, pale next to some of the better tracks on this collection. The Supertones crank out an appropriately snappy version of "Joy To The World" that will make you believe Handel wrote it specifically for a ska band to play. Sarah Masen's delicate, sweet vocals illuminate a simple original, "Heaven's Got A Baby." Joy Electric turns in the best cover of "Winter Wonderland" since Steve Taylor's - all synth, all happy, and very nice.
By far for me, though, Seven Day Jesus has the best track on Happy Christmas, as they chose "O Holy Night" - probably just so Brian McSweeney could show off his fabulous voice. The arrangement is gentle and emotional, and McSweeney hits all those high notes perfectly. Finally, Five Iron frenzy earns bonus points for covering Rich Mullins' "You Gotta Get Up" - good song choice, and a very good version of it. It's fun and bouncy as you'd expect from a song about an excited child trying to wake up the house on Christmas morning.
In addition to these established artists, the new bands sound full of promise. Chasing Furies contributes a wonderful, dark "O Come Emmanuel," led vocally by Sara and Rachel Meeker. One Eighty's "Mele Kalikimaka" is hilarious, and slams into a perky female-led punk-pop that seems oddly appropriate to the song. House of Wires is poised to join the legacy of Joy Electric, as they present a fascinating electronic version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" that synth fans will dig. All these tracks have turned out very well, and leave the listener waiting for these new artists' full-length projects.
Also worth noting are the original tracks written for this holiday season. Starflyer 59 strips down and banishes the noise-pop they made famous to play "A Holiday Song," and it comes off as totally bouncy pop. It's nearly acoustic, and very likable. Fold Zandura also opts for a stripped-down, mellowed out arrangement for their "Asia Minor," with Jyro gently crooning, "Love surrounds us" in recollection of the first Christmas. And Switchfoot returns from oblivion (yes, folks, they're still alive) for "Evergreen," which states "I want to live all year round." It's a great song, and proof that Switchfoot has been maturing in sound since their debut. All six originals are well-written and belong in good company with the traditional songs.
Happy Christmas is an essential holiday tunes package for the rock-n-roll generation who may be tired of the old carols and choirs. Just about every track is fabulous, with a mix of fun tunes and more serious, stirring renditions. There's great new bands, great new songs, and an overall spirit of the holidays that's fresh and cool. There is something to like for nearly every style and personality under the sun.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #75Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernEver wanted to hear the Supertones do "Joy to the World?" Sounds very joyful, with the horns and Morginsky's trademark vocals, but sometimes sounds more straight ahead rock & roll than ska. That's cool, I don't mind. Plus, it breaks into jazz toward the end of the tune. Want more ska? Listen to Five Iron Frenzy's version of the Rich Mullins classic neo-carol "You Gotta Get Up." Joy Electric's…7ball #21Reviewed by Chris WellAh, the sounds of Christmas. It's all too rare to find a Christian rock Christmas album, which makes something like Happy Christmas such a happy occasion. With a fun mix of traditional and new songs, Happy Christmas sports fresh arrangements that still play it pretty straight. Representing the classics: The Supertones rev up "Joy To The World"; Joy Electric puts a futuristic bounce on "Winter…ReAL Magazine 1998Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksThe king of Christian alternative music, Brandon Ebel has finally put out the alternative Christmas record. As the liner notes say this is something he's always wanted to do. And now he's done it with style. The album features 18 Christmas favorites, ranging from the classics like 'Joy to the World' and 'Away in a Manger' to newer favorites like 'Holly Jolly Christmas' and 'Winter Wonderland,'…
