Indie Christmas List of Lists

I've had so much fun compiling list this week that I decided to do it again except with Christmas/Holiday songs. I could go out and find my favorites and then share them individually, but this way all the songs and playlist are in one little post, like a wrapped up package for you. Like I've said before, I hate the incessant playing of christmas carols for a month straight on the radio, or walking down the street, or when waiting in line for a coffee, it drives me crazy. The 98% of the songs are auto tuned crap that make me feel like I'm going to collapse in a store one day and start having a seizure because it is just that painful to my ears. I like the holiday spirit and the traditions that come with it, it just needs better accompanying music. So here is what I dug up this year.

The Line of Best Fit: This top notch Canadian blog is offering up a two CD compilation of holiday songs by Canadian artists. This one is very impressive with 15 of the 30 songs having been recorded just for them. With artists like Basia Bulat, The Zolas, and Teen Daze it is an eclectic mix of artists but includes a wonderful array of original songs and just a few covers. The baritone and slightly dark version of Jingle Bells by Paper Lions is enough to ensure that these aren't the type of christmas songs you'll be sick of after a few listens.

Paper Lions - Jingle Bells

Adaline & Frederick - Let's Stay Inside

Can You see the Sunset: This is a highly amusing list of any sort of christmas carol your heart could desire. From punk bands butchering  the classics (Bad Religion doing Joy to the World anyone?), to sad, lonely, and drunk christmas songs, to a whole set of jazzy carols that I like very much (on the day 5 post), it is one of the most random christmas lists I've ever seen but I love the variety.  You really have everything to choose from, with a different theme for each of the 12 days of christmas you're bound to find a handful of goodies here. 

Dexter Gordon - The Christmas Song

Matt Pond PA - Snow Day

Stars - Fairytale of New York

My Aimz is True: This is a Blue Christmas post and has 16 of the saddest country/alt-country/or pop songs you've ever heard. I never realized there were so many songs about being drunk for christmas or in jail for christmas. If brutally sad almost to the point where you want to start laughing at other people's pain is what you look for in your Christmas songs, then this is your place. Also I think Amy, the author of this wonderful blog is moving to Boston! Excellent.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Cold White Christmas

Asleep At The Wheel - I Hate Christmas

Ride the Tempo: Here is a list of 26 indie christmas songs that seem to really include everything. You have your covers of the classic carols, like First Aid Kit doing Blue Christmas, and then there are the original ones. There's lots to choose from here. Dig in.

First Aid Kit - Blue Christmas

Blitzen Trapper - Christmas is coming soon


Also check out the hip-hop christmas playlist. Yup, a whole playlist.
Kanye West (ft. Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi Da Prynce, Pusha-T, Musiq Soulchild, Teyana Taylor, Big Sean)
Christmas in Harlem

Mad Mackerel: This  little list is another good one with some absolute treasures and more uncommon indie christmas tracks. The Arcade Fire "Rebellion"cover by Benjamin Francis Leftwich is absolutely stunning. And my favorite one is the Summer Camp cover of an 80's song by Waitresses. Enjoy it. 

Summer Camp - Christmas Wrapping (Waitresses Cover)

Your Third Ear Gives us a couple of playlist found on other blogs with the download links, as well as a few hand selected specialties.

Dent May - Holiday Face

Tsururadio - My favorite mixtape maker presents us with a mixtape aptly named "Christmas Whiskey Means Good Cheer Mixtape!" complete with zip file. 

The Magnetic Fields - Everything is One Big Christmas Tree