Sunday, 21 November 2021

Straight No Chaser - Social Christmasing (Deluxe Edition)


34 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Stream Social Christmasing (Deluxe Edition) here (Spotify)
Buy SNC music and merch here (external link)
Read my original review of Social Christmasing here

This time last year I was fully immersed in the festive experience that is a Straight No Chaser Social Christmasing. Aside from the punny title, I was rather taken with their intricate harmonies, their wry vocal observations on the holidays and their ability to strip a song back to its architectural blueprint and build it from scratch with just the magic of their voices. I'm firmly of the belief that a Christmas album isn't just for the Yuletide period it was released in but, much like puppies and that ugly fruit punch bowl your mum bought you that you will never use (but most put out every time she visits), is for life. That is why I'm not at all mad that the SNC lads have added two more songs to their collection (I'd hoped they would call it their Double Vaxxed Edition but alas and alack it was not to be); one you can enjoy perennially and one that will become a new seasonal favourite...
  • Celebrate Me Home (ft Kenny Loggins) ~ I love that a Kenny Loggins song from 1977 has become a seasonal standard - if only for the opening line "Home for the holidays". Celebrate Me Home has become a Christmas favourite, however, not just for that line but because of the sentiment it conveys through the heartfelt lyrics. It has been covered by many artists but SNC still manage to put their own spin on the 1970s standard (and are joined by Mr Loggins himself - the ultimate seal of approval). It plays like a glorious contemporary hymn, with hushed harmonies and a gorgeous texture to their voices that is like a host of heavenly angels singing from on high. It glitters as brightly as the most ornate star on your tree - yet is an aural hug of a song you can play all year long (essential for whenever you need a pick me up).
  • Christmas Show ~ what I love about Straight No Chaser is that they are able to create something that sounds like it should be played on radio alongside any other pop single lucky enough to rocket up the charts. There is a down'n'dirty funky element to the bass notes they have crafted that makes you want to grab the one you love and shimmy; lusty lyrics that are so hot they could light every candle on the Menorah; and an infusion of fa-la-la, ho-ho-ho and ba-ba-ba that make this trill with sing-along, clap-along glee. No doubt about it, this is the greatest show and SNC are here to deliver, all wrapped up with a bow (and a cheeky wink). Stand by to be stunned.
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