Sunday, 6 November 2022

Andy Partridge - My Failed Christmas Career Vol.1


7 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy My Failed Christmas Career Vol.1 here (external link)

Poor Andy Partridge. Co-creator of amazing group XTC has become part of The Disappointed, shuffling round in circles - but still managing to make the most of what he declares My Failed Christmas Career by releasing a whole EP of tunes he hoped would become the next All I Want For Christmas Is You (or at least I Love Christmas by the Fast Food Rockers). This four track EP brings together songs he penned for other artists that never quite broke through the Spotify algorithms to become the smash that (upon first few listens) they deserved to be. Luckily, you can now stream them all the live long day and assume that, due to the Volume One in the title, more will follow to add to next year's playlist...
  • Let There Be Snow ~ written for a well known act that foolishly decided this song wasn't good enough for the festive project. Bah humbugger to them, I say, as this is a finger clicking, feel good wish of a groovev that you can't help but sing along to. An earworm chorus is a phenomenal wall of sound that requires multiple listens to appreciate all the nuanced jingling percussion, vibrant horns, sparkling sleigh bells and a chanted refrain that feels like a future convivial sing-along fave.
  • Through This Winter World ~ the country music influences are purposeful as this was pitched to a singer with a strong country swang. Strumming guitar swathes vividly descriptive lyrics that paint a picture of a romantic winter wonderland. A spot o' mandolin adds flavour to this already delicious tune and it makes you want to kick up your heels with gay abandon. It demonstrates a side to the great Mr Partridge that is rarely heard but one that makes me intrigued for him to explore this genre further...
  • Cool Yule ~ not the Bette Midler classic (though that would have been amazing), rather a whole new song complete with a resplendent Hammond organ addition that brings a little church to this should-be festive pop classic. There are some really effective moments that help elevate this - like when the instrumental fades away so that just those shimmering jingles ensconse the vocal line. Makes the fade back in all the more exhilarating.
  • Unwrap You At Christmas (featuring Holly Partridge) ~ perhaps the best known song on the list thanks to it featuring on The Monkees Christmas Party album (read my review here). Who knew the original vision was to create a Spector-esque style song for a female vocalist - daughter Holly knocks an ebullient vocal out the park, immersed in a wall of sound that makes you glad from head to (mistle)toe. Don't tell The Monkees but I'm pretty sure I prefer this version (but hey, any version is win win). Roll on Volume 2!
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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