This grouping of tunes features artists from the Knoxville/Nashville region taking their best shot at the holidays, and this is the second volume from the same curators, which came out late in 2011. Since readers are likely aware of this site's non-engagement with the country scene, it follows that though these folks live in the shadow of The Industry, this is more of an indie-pop collection. Vinyl Thief does a nice sparse big-beat backing on "I'll Be Home For Christmas," the Black Cadillacs do an Americana take on "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day," as does Nic Mingle on "Carol of the Drum (Little Drummer Boy)." Melodime rock up a song called "December" that appears to be an original, John Jackson goes modern R'nB on "What Child Is This," Boys Rule rap for us on "Lil' Hoochie & Pauly's Christmas Party," and John Knight stays in the 80s for a cover of "Last Christmas." "O Holy Night" gets the arrangement you normally expect from Chaz Miles, "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Cody Bennett is an acoustic take and the Inlaws go straight bluegrass on "Go Tell It On the Mountain." Good work from an array of artists who might have a better chance of breaking out in a non-industry town.
Leave a comment