The Swimmers Christmas Sound
photo: salem public library (salvation army sleighbells, 1950s)
I don't really pay a lot of attention to the indie scene, and blog about it infrequently, to say the least. But I received a fantastic Christmas song in my inbox recently from Philly-based indie band The Swimmers that I just had to post.
"The Christmas Sound" is chock full of festive sounds: chiming piano chords, punchy holiday horns, cheesy organ, and, of course, sleighbells up the wazoo. It kicks off with a thundering drum-kick lifted from a Phil Spector / girl group anthem. Best of all, it's got just enough early 1960's Motown / street corner soul sound to make Darlene Love proud. What more can you ask for this time of year?*
As the band's promotional material notes, The Swimmers "mix an indie-rock aesthetic with bright melodies and hook-filled choruses pulled from the pop and rock sounds of the 1960's." The band recorded a self-produced album, Fighting Trees, over the summer. According to Bruce Warren, Program Director at Philly's WXPN (one of the best college/community radio stations in the country), the album is "the best record not released in 2007." It will drop in 2008, however, having been picked up by MAD Dragon Records (Ryko) for a March release.
As a holiday warm-up, The Swimmers have made "The Christmas Sound" available for free download. Enjoy.
sleighbells ring, are you listening?Merry x-mas. Jingle some bells and eat some Christmas cookies.
* BONUS: To answer the above posed musical question "what more could you ask for this time of year," here's Darlene Love singing her holiday classic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" on Letterman last year. And while Darlene has performed this treat (originally produced by Phil Spector) on Letterman for the past 15 years (it's one of Dave's traditions), there may be no Love on Letterman this year given the writers' strike. Perhaps CBS will air this as a re-run. Speaking of holiday traditions, one of los amigos favorite old holiday song is up next. peace.
p.s. Can't get enough Darlene? Here's "Chirstmas Time for the Jews," the hilarious Spector / Love holiday parody from SNL featuring Darlene Love and great animation.
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Labels: Darlene Love, Indie Rock, Motown-Philly (not boys2men), Phil Spector, Sleighbells, Soul, The Swimmers
posted by DJ durutti @ 11:49 PM --link
3 comments
3 Comments:
Nice song - reminds somewhat me of Architecture in Helsinki
yo etno!
you're right, espec. on this track. Overall, the Swimmers are less twee, pack a lot fewer horns and percussion (to say the least), and grab more mid-60's pop hooks.
I haven't listened to AIH in a while. "Do the Whirlwind" is ripe for a New Years mix.
--cheers
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