Love the Holidays

by Old 97's

Overview

Nearly a quarter century after they released their first album, Old 97's have covered a lot of ground in the course of their career, but they've finally crossed one bit of unfinished business off their bucket list by releasing a Christmas album. Released in November 2018, Love the Holidays leans a bit to the pop side of this band's sound, as if they struck a midpoint between their classic attack on Too Far to Care and the more artful approach of Rhett Miller's solo work. "Snow Angels," "Wintertime in the City," and "Here It Is Christmastime" are rather contemplative by the band's standards, and Miller's lyrics often have as much to do with broken hearts as Santa and the holiday season. But the chatter and growl of Ken Bethea's guitar are more than enough to brand this as Old 97's, and bassist Murry Hammond and drummer Philip Peeples aren't afraid to put some muscle behind tunes like "Gotta Love Being a Kid (Merry Christmas)" and the title track. "Hobo Christmas Song" should please those who want a bit more twang in their mix. The more rollicking numbers also have a strong undercurrent of humor, and if "Rudolph Was Blue" (about a certain reindeer looking for his true love) is awfully goofy, it's also fun and kids will doubtless love it. And while Yuletide albums are often a bit lazy, mostly dealing in the same familiar melodies, the band wrote nine original numbers for Love the Holidays, and if they're not all classics, they give the album a sound and a voice of its own. (The vinyl edition includes one cover, "Auld Lang Syne," while another four -- "Angels We Have Heard on High," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Up on the Housetop," and "Blue Christmas" -- close out the CD and digital releases.) Alt-country fans throwing a Christmas party will find Love the Holidays every bit as welcome as a big batch of spiked eggnog. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	11/16/2018
Label:	Ato
UPC:	0880882341718

Tracks

1. Love the Holidays
2. I Believe in Santa Claus
3. Gotta Love Being a Kid (Merry Christmas)
4. Snow Angels
5. Christmas Is Coming
6. Here It Is Christmastime
7. Hobo Christmas Song
8. Auld Lang Syne
9. Rudolph Was Blue
10. Wintertime in the City

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Old 97's   Primary Artist
Ken Bethea   Guitar (Electric)
Philip Peeples   Drums,Percussion
Rhett Miller   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Madeline Jane   Vocals
Buffi Jacobs   Cello
Murry Hammond   Bass,Vocals
Mark Wilson   Saxophone
John Pedigo   Banjo
Sarah Haines   Viola,Violin
Hayden Oliver   Violin
Tiger Anaya   Trumpet
Austin Burket   Violin
Presley Miller   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Ken Bethea   Composer
Philip Peeples   Composer
Rhett Miller   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Buffi Jacobs   String Arrangements
Ben Greenman   Composer
Kevin Russell   Composer
Public Domain   Composer
Murry Hammond   Composer
Dan Bern   Composer
Jay W. Johnson   Composer
Sam Merrick   String Engineer
Doug Van Sloun   Mastering
John Pedigo   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Billy Hayes   Composer
Bach Norwood   String Engineer
Will Byington   Photography