Saturday, 28 November 2015

Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked For The Holidays (re-visited)


27 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy Barenaked For The Holidays here (Amazon UK)

It's been eleven years since Canadian group Barenaked Ladies released their epic seasonal opus Barenaked For The Holidays. Since that time, there hasn't been one Yuletide where their songs haven't been an indelible part of my Christmas soundtrack - and, therefore, holiday memories. I'm not entirely sure why it's been re-released but if it brings this diverse and eclectic mix of tunes to a brand new audience then I'm all for it. I think I fell in love with this album because it just seemed so inclusive. The guys weren't just about Christmas, they weaved Hanukkah in there with just as much panache and flair - and then included songs that just embraced winter as a season on it's own. They recreated well known and much beloved standards in their own inimitable BNL style, whilst concocting brand new numbers that have effortlessly stood the test of time and now feel as classic as the songs that surround them. They roped in a few big name guest stars but never lost their own personality and humour in that mix. Heck, the opening number is as indelibly Barenaked as you can get - Jingle Bells is initially slowed down before it romps off into a giddy kids version, complete with "Batman smells" lyrics (and Steven getting the giggles). It pretty much sets the tone for the album - a collection of tunes that will leave you feeling warm and toasty inside, from head to (mistle)toe.

While pretty much everything here is a gem, there are a few songs that deserve extra special mention. Green Christmas (originally from The Grinch, but rerecorded here) lists all the things that most people love about Christmas but that make it utterly intolerable this year for BNL. It's done in such a brilliant way that you barely notice it happening - gooey harmonies and jingling bells shimmy along as if this is the most radiant Christmas song ever. I always thought it was such a bold song to put so early on in a Christmas album - yet it absolutely works and is the perfect song for if you have had a bad day shopping with the merry throngs at the mall. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings is equally as enticing, just in different ways. Firstly, it has my beloved Sarah McLachlan singing along with the fellas. Secondly, that effusive acoustic setting they perform in seems to conjure up images of stark winter landscapes and feels totally organic - as if the songs were always meant to be performed this way. Mostly, it's a stand out because their voices all blend together like honey into hot chocolate on a cold Christmas Eve. And who knew that Do They Know It's Christmas would seem so much more poignant and intimate when it's performed with just a few vocalists rather than a whole plethora of stars? The "tonight thank god it's them, instead of you" is possibly the best version of this line since Bono sung it in the original. Kudos to the passion that they put into the song (and for that mellifluous keyboard that underscores the entire melody).

My favourite song on the album is also one of my favourite Christmas tunes of all time. My god, how often have I written about the lads singing the simply fantastic Elf's Lament (with Michael Buble)? The answer is every year since 2004, so apologies if you have been reading this blog since then, but you are going to have to put up with it once more. You know what Gregory Maguire did with Wicked - where he totally spun the world of Oz on it's head? Well that is what the Ladies have done in this song - taken our deeply ingrained image of happy little elves beavering (titter) away for the good of the world and given it an "up the union" type slant. Maybe working conditions aren't so great. Maybe the pay isn't as wonderful as it should be. Maybe the job satisfaction is minimal. It's all addressed here, with some grand harmonies, a kicking chorus and an infinitely catchy hook. And despite it being a good old moan (albeit with a slight wink), it certainly is one of the perkiest and upbeat (musically) Christmas songs of recent years. Quite simply marvelous - and worth the price of admission alone.

There are many other songs worthy of your time on this collection - and, no doubt, you will find your own favourites to be the musical backdrop to your own festivities, memories and reminiscing. An excellent - and much underrated - holiday album.

**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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