Indie pop Christmas compilation 'Festivus 2' will be release
November 26 on Highline Records, featuring The Lilys, Glam Chops, Piney Gir,
Western Lows, and members of Teenage Fanclub and Art Brut.
Paste and Philadelphia Inquirer' both featured
"standout tracks" (Paste) from last year's 'Festivus' on its
Christmas 2012 playlists. NME praised the "jingly-jangly label
showcase" and Q said, "Highline is similarly opposed to breadhead
solstice-mongering, and offer up 15 skiffly, lovelorn tunes with a Brian Wilson
aesthetic adorned with both kinds of jangling (guitars and jingle bells)."
Oklahoma Gazette said, "Give it to your favorite hipster."
'Festivus 2' may be the rare sequel that's better than
the original. The album kicks off with the moody synth-pop version of
"Silent Night" submitted by LA dream poppers Western Lows, who have
been championed by Bob Harris and The Guardian ("a particularly enervated
form of shoegaze"). Other highlights are Glam Chops (featuring Eddie Argos
of Art Brut) with "Baby Jesus Was the First Glam Rocker" (with a
wicked David Bowie impression); The Priscillas driving power-pop "One
Christmas Wish"; Ulysses' overdriven-with-harmonies "I Wish You a
Merry Christmas"; and Francis Macdonald (of Teenage Fanclub) with Anna
Sheard "Silver Bells Sing Their Chime." Washington, D.C. indie
rockers The Lilys' version of "Good King Wenceslas" delivers a rare
slice of guitar-bending psychedelic delight from the indie veterans. The subject
of two NPR segments in the past year, Kansan-via-London's Piney Gir serves
reverb-soaked psych-pop.
'Festivus 2' is an eclectic mix of great holiday music from
UK and US artists alike.
'Festivus 2' Track Listing
1. Silent Night - Western Lows
2. I Wish You A Merry Christmas - Ulysses
3. In The Bleak Midwinter - Trevor Moss &
Hannah-Lou
4. Ho Ho Hos Before Hos - Red Pony Clock
5. One Christmas Wish - The Priscillas
6. It's Christmas - Piney Gir
7. Don't Freat Out On Me - Mi Mye
8. Good King Winceslas - Lilys
9. The Coldest Night - Left With Pictures
10. Baby Jesus Was The First Glam Rocker - Glam Chops
11. Silver Bells Sing Their Chime - Francis Macdonald and
Anna Sheard
12. Christmas at the Foodbank - Dodgy
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen - Dennis Hopper Choppers
14. Thank God It's Christmas - Darling BOY
15. My Heart Is As Pure As The Snow - Antony Elvin
16. Three Kings - Alexander's Festival Hall
