Singer-songwriter Chris Farren released his debut full-length Can't Die this year on SideOneDummy Records. It's full of upbeat, clever indie-pop that stays danceable no matter how dark the lyrics get. To celebrate the album, and the holidays, Chris put together this Christmas playlist with classics, covers and more.
–Dave Lucas, Talkhouse Marketing Manager
Vince Guaraldi Trio – "Christmas Time is Here (Vocal)"
This is just one of those songs that is so entrenched in the holiday DNA it's impossible not to love.
Milo & The Kings – "White Christmas"
Celebrated punk Jeff Rosenstock showed me this record Christmas in the Virgin Islands a few years ago and it's been a staple in my rotation ever since.
Dikembe – "All I Want For Christmas is You"
Great modern-day classic covered by a great ROCK group from my home state of Florida.
The Killers ft. Dawes – "Christmas In LA"
Not sure if this song is very, very good or very, very bad, but damn, I LOVE IT.
Cat Power – "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Sad Christmas rocks. Make all the Christmas songs sound as sad as possible please, thank you.
Kacey Musgraves – "Christmas Don't Be Late"
Kacey Musgraves is so very cool to me; I love her record Pageant Material. It's very swaggery (not a word), sometimes silly, Nancy Sinatra-type country music. This Christmas record she put out is along the same lines. IT ROCKS.
Nat King Cole – "Christmas Song"
Another one of those undeniable classic holiday songs. Try to deny it!!!!
Elvis – "Blue Christmas"
So, I am a normal living human man and there are many rumors going around that I am some sort of ghost, and Elvis is a dead ghost that a lot of people think is a living human...so I feel a kinship with him. Also this song is good.
The Beach Boys – "Merry Christmas Baby"
There is something so creepy about the Beach Boys' arrangements that gives off this ominous tone to all of their music. It rocks. I love it.
Chris Farren – "I Wish It Was Christmas Every Day"
Simply a modern-day classic that I happened to write.
