Features Tracks: She & Him, NOFX, Mikky Ekko And More

So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Probably had to run around shopping, eating mince pies and drinking too much eggnog, right? Well, in case you’ve missed any of the Christmas crackers that have been unleashed into the world this festive season, our lovely writers and radio presenters have been busy making sure that all the decent musical fare is left neatly wrapped up in ribbons and bows, especially for you. And without any further ado, Merry Christmas, it’s Tracks time!

She & Him - Baby, It’s Cold Outside
If you were looking for a moment that defined a musician, in the case of full-time-actress-part-time-warbler, Zooey Deschanel, you’d be able to pinpoint it exactly. Lathered up in the shower during the Chrimble film extraordinaire, ‘Elf’, she starts singing ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’, whilst Will Ferrell perches on a sink and sings along with her. Fast forward nearly a decade, and Ms Dechanel is taking on Ferrell’s vocal, with M.Ward taking up Zooey’s old vocal (which is asking for a mash up of the two if you ask up, making her duet with herself). It’s simple and sweet, just like Christmas should be. (Simone Scott Warren)



No Use For A Name - Fairytale of New York
This song is taken from ‘More Betterness!’, the fourth studio album by the punk rock band No Use for a Name, released in 1999 for Fat Wreck Chords. The song, originally made famous by The Pogues of course, with the iconic voice of Shane MacGowan practically slurring the words to what could now be considered the most famous (if not the most played) Christmas song. Tony Sly (RIP July 2012) does the vocals justice, and they make the song their own. With what seems to be a straight up cover at the start of the song, the band then kick in and put their own twist on things. You can’t help but want to dance or tap your foot to this. (Cilléin McEvoy)



Mikky Ekko - Pull Me Down
Mikky Ekko is the man of the moment. The one who grabs your attention on the first eight seconds of the song; which is how long some A&R guru’s claim it takes to ‘get’ an act. He’s got a guitar and a voice, but he’s bringing the ‘singer songwriter’ genre into a modern era with a Jeff Buckley edge. Think vocals similar to Jesse from The Neighbourhood, mixed with an indie influenced beat and romantically influenced lyrics.(Elise Cobain - Alive And Amplified - Back 3rd January at 7pm on DIY Radio)



Blue Roses - River
Some Christmas songs are less obvious than others. Joni Mitchell’s ‘The River’ from 1970 may lack sleigh bells or an ebullient chorus but its wistful beauty makes it a perfect seasonal song. Laura Groves, returning to her Blue Roses moniker, has recorded an utterly gorgeous cover version that is as heartbreaking as it is resonant. Groves’ voice is a real thing of beauty and the way her voice quivers on the key line of, “I would teach my feet to fly’ would melt the hardest of hearts. The recording is part of a charity compilation compiled by local promoters and musicians in Groves’ hometown of Leeds. The collection is available to download now in aid of homeless charity Simon On The Streets for a donation of any size. If the rest of the songs are as special as this then it will be money very well spent. (Martyn Young)

Listen to Blue Roses new track here: https://soundcloud.com/anthologiesleeds/blue-roses-river-live

NOFX - Xmas Has Been X’ed
The song is taken from their upcoming 7’ ‘Xmas Has Been X’ed/New Year’s Revolution’ which will be out January 15th 2013. You would never guess NOFX have been going for almost 30 years with this particular track. It’s fast, slick and classic NOFX! My favourite part is how the music video shows that the band still seem to love having a laugh together. After seeing their DVD NOFX: Backstage Passport, I had found a great deal of respect for the band. Sadly, as a young teen, I was never introduced to this style of music til much later on…kind of missed a trick somewhere. I think it is great that they have such a loyal following, and that after all these years you can listen to their music and still really appreciate it. Next year will be their 30th year together, and if this is what all their upcoming releases will sound like, hopefully they will go for another few years (at least). (Cilléin McEvoy)



Tracks will be breaking for Christmas next week, but will return to fill your eardrums with the best new music in the new year.