Various - Christmas Rules

Christmas songs are notoriously difficult to get right. Generally, they teeter on the verge between unbearably twee and life-affirmingly charming. The compilers of ‘Christmas Rules’ have hedged their bets by opting for a collection of well-worn, much loved standards performed by a range of American acts, largely drawn from Americana and the singer-songwriter side of US indie. Oh, and Paul McCartney. This is a Christmas compilation very much for Christmas connoisseurs. There is no Shakey or Cliff to be heard and most certainly no shouts of “It’s Christmaaaaaas!”.

The album stars pleasantly enough, with a shiny ebullient synth led rendition of ’Sleigh Ride’ by Fun. and McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ given a Beach Boys-like melodic makeover by The Shins. It is a sprightly highpoint that is rarely reached again. The preponderance of standards drags the pace down terribly. The songs are all extremely proficiently performed but there is something ever so slightly dull and po-faced about the reverent versions of songs like ‘Blue Christmas’ by Heartless Bastards and ‘The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)’ crooned by Paul McCartney.

Much of the collection’s best tracks are on the moments of genuine joy, such as the horn led jazzy swing of ‘May Ev’ry Day Be Christmas’ performed wonderfully by soul legend Irma Thomas, or the knowingly playful - see Rufus Wainwright and Sharon Van Etten’s alluring vamp through ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside.’

The general sound of the record is low-key, with strong elements of country, Americana, and folk. There is certainly a very obvious and pronounced coherency to it and anyone with a love of any of these genres will find much to enjoy. There is an unbearable feeling though, that it is all a little bit worthy. By the end, you long for Noddy Holder to turn up or Cliff to deliver a rousing chorus amplified by a children’s choir. Surely, that was not the idea.