A decade into the 21st century, the music medium of compact discs was breathing its dying gasps as music started to be consumed digitally and P2P file sharing programs like Napster and Limewire gave consumers unlimited access to music for free. Just as the sun was setting on CDs, Starbucks created Hear Music to try sell customers physical copies of the music that was being played in stores. While they had some major success with artists like Paul McCartney, Ray Charles and Joni Mitchell, the majority of its releases were compilation CDs. The most popular of these compilations was the seasonal music collection Holidays Rule which feature a slew of indie rock artists covering beloved holiday songs. Originally released in 2012, Craft Recordings is issuing the first-ever vinyl release on translucent red vinyl for its 10th anniversary.
The album opens with a very electro-pop version of “Sleigh Bells” by fun. While the sound of fun. is not necessarily timeless, their interpretation of the Christmas classic is, well, fun. The Shins are found covering Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” while Rufus Wainwright and Sharon Van Etten do a duet to the classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. The biggest name on the compilation is Paul McCartney, who was signed to Hear Music at the time. The former Beatle stays true to the feel of the original song with his version of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”. A few of the artists really stand out by infusing their unique sounds to the holiday classics. Calexico gives a little South-of-the-border flavor to “Green Grows The Holly” with their horn section while Irma Thomas with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band gives the listeners that feeling of being in New Orleans on Christmas as they present their interpretation of “May Ev’ry Day Be Christmas”. The masters of cover songs, Punch Brothers, offer a beautiful rendition of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with a strong dose of bluegrass. Just as the holidays conclude with New Years Eve, so too does Holidays Rule come to a close with Andrew Bird playing a swinging version of “Auld Lang Syne”.
As the holidays draw near, our thoughts turn towards get-togethers and festivities. For most, these wouldn’t be complete without some holiday music playing in the background. Whether you were customers of Starbucks or just a fan of indie music in 2012, Holidays Rule will bring a sense of nostalgia. (If you worked as Starbucks during Christmas 2012 you might have PTSD due to these songs being played on repeat.) Either way, Holidays Rule will definitely be a welcome addition to any holiday festivities this year.
