Pedro the Lion - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 7"
(Suicide Squeeze)
Christmas releases. They'll never go away, but they rarely have any relevance outside of the holidays. Low's Christmas EP and Flaming Lips' cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" are the only examples I can think of that I can enjoy outside of a rare desire to hear Christmas music. I love Pedro the Lion, and if anyone else is going to record something Christmas related that I will like, he's probably the most likely candidate.
David Bazan's overtly religious music shouldn't have any trouble making this transition, since most of his songs mention Jesus anyway. But, this 7" proves that, no, he shouldn't push his luck. Over the top string arrangements replace his simple guitar playing, awkwardly accompanying his modest, downtrodden voice, on these Christmas standards. I guess I'd still prefer this to other Christmas music, but then again, I'd rather have James Gamboa dance fucking Swan Lake on my face than hear Christmas music, so whatever.
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