Mark Kozelek - White Christmas Live
(Subpop)
Even though he doesn't know it, Mark Kozelek (Singer/guitarist for the Red House Painters) and I aren't on speaking terms ever since I listened to his latest release, and (solo) debut for Subpop White Christmas Live. Not that it is the worst record ever released, but I expect a certain quality when buying a Kozelek or Red House Painters' record, and White Christmas Live just doesn't stand up to the quality of all of their previous output.
White Christmas Live is a live album taken from 3 shows in Sweden and Norway in 2000. I have plenty of editing complaints (like the 2 full minutes of clapping (to encourage an encore) 2 times); however, those might be a little too petty, so lets just talk about the music. "Cruiser" and "Evil" are both played very differently, which I am sure is necessary since he is playing solo, but he has even changed almost all of the vocal melodies within the songs. On "Dragonflies," "Things Mean A Lot," and "Three Legged Cat," he puts down his guitar and just sings them all a capella. I really have no problem with some a capella singing, in fact, I really liked that a capella CD released by Secretly Canadian, but I think that all three of these songs really lacking in their a capella versions. I do realize, that as a musician, Kozelek has the right and need to mix things up a bit to keep things interesting for himself. But, as a fan of the music, I was really disappointed with how these versions of the songs have made me dislike songs that I previously loved.
However, as much as I was disappointed or annoyed with this album as a whole, in fairness to Kozelek, there are some really great live versions on White Christmas Live. For example, AC/DC's "Rock 'n' Roll Singer," "Up To My Neck In You," and "What's Next To The Moon" are all great. However, since the solo records were little more than him playing live in the studio, they sound almost exactly like the versions he released on said records. So, while I enjoy listening to them a lot, those songs on their own don't really add much new to this release.
If the AC/DC songs were the only songs on here, I would definitely suggest you not waste your money on this release, but fortunately there are a few other songs on here with really good live versions including "Admiral Fell Promises," "Shadows," and "Wop-A-Din-Din." And, hidden on the end of the album is a live version of an unreleased and unnamed song that is quite possibly the best song on the album.
So, just a warning, this record is only for Kozelek and Red House Painters completists and their biggest fans. And, even then, they should look for it used.
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