Have yourself a melancholy little Christmas with this eccentric, innovative covers album from Bright Eyes – aka the primary band project of Omaha’s favourite musical son Conor Oberst.
Bursting with crude, experimental arrangements, ‘A Christmas Album’ is not your usual festive cash cow. Initially released in 2002 and repressed for this season’s celebrations, it commences with a conceptual version of ‘Away In A Manger’, featuring feedback and eerie baby coos, it subsequently moves into ‘Blue Christmas’, which perfectly captures its maker’s morbid yet quirky style.
There are some hauntingly beautiful moments, including a suitably strange rendition of ‘Silent Night’, intensified by looming string sections. Categorically not your ordinary Christmas album, and one to check out now if you missed it the first time.
8/10
Words: Lizzie Goodman
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Listen to 'A Christmas Album' in full via Deezer, below…
