popwreckoning updates

Posted: 25 Dec 2008 08:27 PM CST

Hey all, welcome to a special Under Cover: Christmas Edition. Ever wonder why there is such a high incidence rate of depression during the holiday season? I’m no psychiatrist or anything, but I’m sure the fact that Christmas music is so unbelievably awful might have a little something to do with it. Christmas music can be so irritating! So hokey, so cheerful, so damn awful! And there’s nothing worse than driving somewhere on December 25th, flipping through your favorite alternative and classic rock stations and seeing they’ve all been taken over by the same lame-ass Christmas songs. And there’s only so much ”Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” I can take! It drives me nuts and makes me want to throw my radio off a balcony… well, at least after enough eggnog. So in the spirit of the season, here are a few fantastic little holiday-inspired cover songs by some of our favorite musicians that are actually tolerable. Now we can get festive without wanting to off anyone. Happy Holidays everyone!

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Fiona Apple - “Frosty The Snowman”
Some may pray to the Regina Spektor gods, but I’ll forever be a Fiona Apple believer first. This song is a much more tolerable version of good old “Frosty The Snowman” that doesn’t make me want to throw snowballs at anyone or anything. It’s also pretty funny listening to Apple sing about gleeful holiday rituals, considering most of her songs are usually on the depressing and dark side. Looks like Christmas brings out the irony in some.

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The Arcade Fire - “Jinglebell Rock”
Indie rock gods Arcade Fire get their collective comedy on here. Whether it’s forgetting the words or trying to sing without busting out laughing, this sounds like a drunken sing-a-long around the Christmas tree. Basically, a Christmas musical experiment gone so terribly wrong that it’s right. This one is good after a few holiday cocktails.

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No Doubt - “Oi To The World”
Oi to all the good little boys and girls! Originally a Vandals holiday number, Gwen Stefani and the No Doubt boys infuse a little punk and ska to your Christmas experience with this upbeat little cover version. With horns a-blarin’ and sleigh bells ringing, this song makes you want to jump up and down with your loved ones around the tree.

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Phantom Planet - “Winter Wonderland”
Finally Phantom Planet sings a song that isn’t about California! But don’t get excited just yet. This song plays almost as if they are walking around a winter wonderland… somewhere in Mexico, with a mariachi band fronted by Santa Claus. Switch those sleigh bells with maracas and that eggnog with a strawberry margarita! These guys make you want to go out back and lay down to make snow angels… except, in the pool.

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Bright Eyes - “Blue Christmas”
Oh Conor Oberst, how I love thee. For some of us, Christmas time usually means heartbreak and unrequited love. Some may enjoy their own “merry little Christmases,” while others prefer the “blue” kind. This classic has become one of many quintessential rock n’ roll Christmas songs, covered by musicians like the Beach Boys and Elvis. This bluesy number has that little something for those who enjoy moping around during the joyous season without the one they love. There’s a little longing, yearning, brooding… man, it’s so great.

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Jimmy Eat World - “Last Chrismas”
An upbeat take on Wham’s classic song. Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World does George Michael’s high-pitched vocals a lot of justice, with backup music that modernizes the original. I particularly like the extended musical breakdown that stretches Wham’s lyrics. Always one of my favorite Christmas numbers, I like to think of “Last Christmas” as the original downer holiday song. “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart… but the very next day you gave it away.” You really can’t get any more emo than that!

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Sufjan Stevens - “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
This song is gorgeous! Sufjan Stevens tackles all the complex religious matter that I normally don’t like hearing, yet manages to put out something less hokey. Soft-spoken lead and lush background vocals, this version is a good one to put one when you’re lighting candles on window panes before bed. The gentle strumming is as relaxing as that last cup of hot chocolate you share with a loved one on Christmas Eve.

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Bob Marley - “White Christmas”
Who knew Bob Marley sang holiday numbers?! Not I. This version is half doo-wop and half reggae, but a lot of rasta fun. This one makes me want to shout out “Merry Christmas, mon!” to everyone I see. Or jet off to Jamaica and decorate a couple of palm trees with ornaments.

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My Chemical Romance - “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
It’s so hysterical to hear lead singer Gerard Way singing about Christmas cheer and wishing for love for a change, instead of his usual depression, anger, bullets, revenge and venom. Plus, I’d much rather hear My Chemical Romance put a hard rock edge on this classic number than Mariah Carey’s cheesy rendition that makes me want to hurl. So if I were you, I’d hurry up and meet Gerard under that mistletoe. He sounds serious!

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I hope you find these songs less annoying than all that original holiday music out there. And of course, Happy Holidays to all the boys and girls out there, naughty OR nice! :)