My Failed Christmas Career Vol. 1, Andy Partridge (Ape)

The co-founder of XTC has been mostly working in the background since that epic power pop group called it quits two decades ago, repackaging his personal songwriting demos and pitching songs to other artists. In 2022 he let loose this EP of four holiday tunes written for other artists to perform. Of the four, only "Unwrap You At Christmas" found a home with its intended artist, the Monkees. Andy's demo of this features his daughter Holly on lead vocals, but otherwise the Monkees clearly followed the demo. "Let There Be Snow" is a fine poppy herald to the frosty season, "Through the Winter World" has a fine country lilt in keeping with the unidentified artist to whom it was pitched, though otherwise you'd mistake it for an XTC number. And "Cool Yule" is a catchy organ-led number that Andy states in the liner notes was actually conceived during the sessions for XTC's "Thanks For Christmas" but was only recently completed. Don't be put off by my describing these as demos; they sound as finished as anything you've listened to all year. No streaming or downloads known, must purchase CD or vinyl. (Spotify shows the album as "merch.")