Tree Party, That Band From Holland (self-issued)

Because the band's name is also a succinct description of who they are, it appears this 2010 EP's name has no alternate meanings pertinent to the U.S. political scene. Pity. Most of these seven songs are pretty short, almost musical Christmas haikus. The meditation on burning a plastic tree and its effect on climate change in "Plastic Trees" is a bit ambiguous. "Blinded" is about that old neighborhood standard, the excessive display of outdoor holiday lights and the accompanying noisy soundtrack -- ironic, as this entire EP is fairly mellow chamber-pop, at least until the oscillator solo kicks in on this particular track. "Don't" offers a brief list of things to avoid on the holiday, "Sinking More" should actually have been "Drinking More," as that as much the refrain of this bouncy little number as anything else. "Traces" worries that "if you eat too much you might explode," and "Girl With the X-Ray Eyes" is a foreboding conclusion to this collection. Download this free from the group's website starting Dec 1.