Various Artists
Just Say Noel
»
Various Artists
Just Say Noel
Geffen, 1997
RiYL: Christmas Special CDs, any of the featured bands |
Geffen sports an impressive roster of Alt-Rock big-wigs such as Beck, Sonic Youth, Elastica and the Posies. But the most refreshing contributions are from some of Geffen's lesser-known talents, such as Aimee Mann, Ted Hawkins and the Roots.
Sonic Youth's turn on actor Martin Mull's 1973 romp "Santa Doesn't Cop Out on Dope" is typical but silly Youth, to be sure. Featuring squealing noise, edgy guitar and distorted, off-key vocals, this song belongs in the band's proverbial garbage can. Singer Thurston Moore concludes the song with the salutation, "Merry Christmas, David Geffen!"
Beck's equally weird "The Little Drum Machine Boy" sounds like a cross between the Fat Albert cartoon theme song and the traditional holiday classic, employing bulbous, zooming bass beats and the familiar trip-hop foundation common to many a Beck song. This number would have fit well on Odelay if not for its season-specific subject matter.
The Posies cover of Fuzzy's "Christmas" features guest vocals from Sarah Shannon of the split Velocity Girl, but is otherwise lifeless. This should not be taken as a commentary on Fuzzy (its Electric Juices album is excellent), but on the Posies' laconic rendition. It just doesn't sound like they put a whole lot of effort into this one.
On the other hand, the Roots' unearthing of the 1991 De La Soul song "Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa" intelligently expounds on the original with its use of live instruments and spacey vocal effects. Nod your head to this while you search in vain for the family Christmas ornaments.
Other gems on Just Say Noel include the twanging "Thanks for Christmas" by XTC, "The Closing of the Year" by former Prince backup singers Wendy and Lisa and underground legend Ted Hawkins' version of "Amazing Grace."
But without fail, every alternative rock compilation album contains a few throw-away tracks, and in addition to the Sonic Youth track, listeners won't mind avoiding Southern Culture On The Skids' bland take on "Merry Christmas Baby," the slow-moving "Christmas is Quiet" by Wild Colonials or Elastica's downright dumpy "Gloria."
Just Say Noel certainly isn't a must-have, but as compilation albums go, it's one of the more solid of its type to be released in the '90s. Perfect for under the tree!
JONATHAN COHEN | Jonathan Cohen co-created Nude As The News with his Indiana University mates Troy Carpenter and Ben French. When not traversing the globe for business and pleasure, he holds down the fort as a senior editor for Billboard in New York. Stop him and he just may ask, "what for lunch?"