Various - Stuck In The Chimney

by Geraint Jones

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Label: Parasol
Format: CD

In these increasingly turbulent times, the arrival of a little genuine Christmas cheer, however small should be thoroughly welcomed. Cynicism and excessive commercialism abounds these days during the

Review

In these increasingly turbulent times, the arrival of a little genuine Christmas cheer, however small should be thoroughly welcomed. Cynicism and excessive commercialism abounds these days during the festive season and although I’m not at all religious I’ve always looked forward to Christmas as a time to celebrate the end of each year with those closest to you. I will concede that the event rarely lives up to my expectations but my enthusiasm for the season remains relatively undiminished nonetheless. Before I get unnecessarily mawkish I’ll get to the subject at hand and that is ‘Stuck In The Chimney (More Christmas Singles)’, the latest fine Yuletide compilation form Parasol Records. Sadly the fact that this is so unlike the same old rehashes of Christmas Classics churned out year in year out by the majors means that it’s many charms are unlikely to attract the attentions of the hordes of frantic shoppers fervently scouring the shelves for yet another present nobody either wants or needs. This is a great pity as the album comprises almost an hour of exemplary pop and personally I couldn’t think of a better present to either give or receive. With 16 tracks that’s enough for each of the twelve days of Christmas and 4 more to spare which sounds like very good value to me. Drawn from the multitude of Parasol related artists ranging from Swedish psych-garage rockers The Soundtrack Of Our Lives to Brits like White Town (former chart-toppers no less!) who cover Teenage Fanclub’s ‘December’ here and Fonda who render Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ into a much more palatable proposition. With further contributions from Belgium’s Sukilove, Australian Joe Algeri and a host of home-grown US talent (looking at it from Parasol's point of view) like Jenifer Jackson, George Usher Group and Toothpaste 2000 who’s ‘7-Eleven Christmas’ is a highlight, ‘Stuck In The Chimney is abundant with international good cheer. Despite its thematic nature this album should sound good all year round. Thanks to Parasol, Christmas has started early this year.