Various - The Matinee Holiday Soiree

by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 30 / 1 / 2011

Label: Matinee Recordings
Format: CDS

Enjoyable holiday EP from the ever reliable Matinee Recordings, which is one to pick up for next Christmas

Review

A few years ago, I tried to make my own CDR compilation with indiepop Christmas songs, and I remember that I had to search for a long time before I could fill at least half the CD. I guess there aren’t too many indie pop bands that chooses to make songs about the winter holiday, and, if they do, far too often they are recorded as a joke or as a way to tell everybody how much they hate Christmas. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the lovely Matinée label released this five track CD just in time for last year’s Christmas with five great bands participating (and, to be fair, they also released the 10 track comp 'The Matinée Winter Warmer' in 2004, with quite a few Christmas songs on it). The ever popular Math and Physics Club are first up, with 'It Must Be Christmas', an arch-typical twee song, almost to the degree that it bothers me, but I’ll let it pass for now. Danish band Northern Portrait continues to impress me (and it’s about time that Denmark gives us some good indiepop bands, too, since there really haven’t been many since Gangway back in the 80’s), and their contribution here is probably the highlight of the compilation, if you ask me. The two Scottish bands, Bubblegum Lemonade and Strawberry Whisplash (who have one member Lawrence 'Laz' McLuskey in common) both delivers good songs, and Champagne Riot, the only band here that I’m not familiar with (and apparently they are from Denmark, too!), supplies us with the entertaining 'Xmas Safari'. All in all, a great little EP, and definitely one to pick up in time for this year’s Christmas!