“Try to imagine a Christmas all alone” insists one of the better-known festive classics, but this indie collective’s ‘songs’ – often more monologues – are closer in sprit to Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’ than Slade or Spector – downbeat, maudlin and reflecting exactly how the aforementioned ‘holidays’ are to some.
Some of the many ‘high’ points include TV star Sanjeev Kohli’s darkly comic ‘I Never Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus’ and Idlewild’s Andrew Mitchell enveloped in electronic sounds and beats. Pride of place, however, goes to Andrew Howie and Pauline Alexander, whose ‘Quiet’ is the ideal soundtrack to a mince pie and sherry for one.
(This review originally appeared in the Lancaster Guardian)
Also at stuartmchugh.com
Writing about alternative music for what seems like thirty years (turns out that's because it is).
Also chief newshound at Jockrock
Also chief newshound at Jockrock
Latest posts by Stuart McHugh (see all)
- Paul Vickers / The Leg - 12 July 2025
- Sparks - 11 July 2025
- M. John Henry - 11 July 2025
RT @isthismusic: Album review: The Grand Gestures – ‘Happy Holidays’ – https://t.co/SjladHV5Fa
“‘Quiet’ is the ideal soundtrack to a mince pie & sherry for one.” Another great wee review for ‘Happy Holidays’: https://t.co/7KommwkPoD
RT @calamateur: “‘Quiet’ is the ideal soundtrack to a mince pie & sherry for one.” Another great wee review for ‘Happy Holidays’: https://t…