Should Elbow Record a Christmas/Holiday Album?

Despite being a heathen, I love Christmas music; I listen to it year 'round.

Within the past decade, it's become somewhat de rigeur for musical acts to record a Christmas album or EP. Barenaked Ladies recorded a really good Christmas album, Bob Dylan recorded a truly awesomely awful album, KT Tunstall's Christmas album is a lot of fun, Tori Amos' Christmas album is seriously deep, Ringo Starr's Christmas album is one of his best albums, and I can't praise Jethro Tull's Christmas album enough. One of my favorite bands, Carbon Leaf, just released their Christmas album. Every Christmas, more and more artists are taking a whack at the Christmas music pinata.

Should Elbow join the chorus?

Frankly, I would love an Elbow Christmas album. Or EP. Especially if it had some newly written material matched to old holiday favorites and modern songs.

I imagine they would do an absolutely fantastic cover of "Walking in the Air." I think they would have fun with a cover of George Harrison's "Ding Dong," too. I could also picture Guy Garvey doing his best Bing Crosby on "White Christmas."

Anyone else want to hear an Elbow Christmas album? And what would you like the band to record for it?

Erm... would i go against the grain if i said no? the dylan example is proof alone to stay well clear...

Yeah, I think that would be interesting...
Not that it would ever happen but, yes, I'd buy that!
As for what songs though?
Traditional or "Pop"?

Deck the Halls? Last Christmas?
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree?

Mmmm. Any other suggestions?

allyngibson wrote:

Anyone else want to hear an Elbow Christmas album? And what would you like the band to record for it?

Can't think of anything worse than a Christmas Album. I'm a big Tull fan but won't go near their Christmas album. The mere thought horrifies me.

PS I loathe Christmas too. Bah! and indeed, Humbug!!!

Well...if it sounds like Baby Jesus it might be funny.

TamedLamia wrote:

Well...if it sounds like Baby Jesus it might be funny.

was just going to say that!

I hope for not.

I recorded a Christmas set Guy did with Marc Riley... in 2008? I want to say that I posted the links on powder blue, but I can't seem to find them at the moment. It's very much on the same wave length as "Baby Jesus", far from being serious covers. The songs they covered:

"Frosty the Snowman"
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
"Winter Wonderland"

And it's probably unlikely that they'll do anything official, unless they're bored and in the Christmas spirit... but don't get any hopes up.

Very interesting idea...not sure how it would sound, though. I can't think of which songs would be "right" for them, unless they were taking the piss a bit. I can't see them doing a serious/traditional set of holiday songs, more likely they'd be having a bit of fun with it, but I'd be very surprised if they ever did something like that. Now, if they ever wrote an original song which happened to be set during the holidays, but was a proper Elbow song, that could be cool. Not as part of a Christmas album, mind, but as a track on a regular release. I could see something really lovely and sad being set in the falling snow, and yes it would be sad even though it's a Christmas song, because it would be better that way!

Ha ha - I can just see their video now - resplendent in matching white coats with furry hoods a la East 17.

Reminds me again on that lovely christmas mini sites of the old Powderblue Site...

If they would do it, it should be not sentimental, because enough musicians did so and start to annoy. Or maybe a new version of the legendary "Humbug Special" from Guy Garvey's Payola back in 2006

They could inspire themself with this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBgv20hgnY0&feature=related

Yes, please. I think this would be amazing!

When I switched on my carradio this morning I heard something telling me "ah that's nice", I listened closer, it was Coldplay! And for a few seconds I thought "NEW ALBUM?!" but then I thought "wait a minit..." and then there it was...the word "Christmas"..."only" a christmas song But hey, it sounded absoltutely like Coldplay, even also a bit like Elbow (slow waltz like Fugitive Motel but not that sad).
So if a "Christmas Album" does not sound too much like one but like a typical record of the band then it would be nice. And for the festive folks there could be at least one or two "typical" ones, but best the jolly ones because we have enough sentimental stuff around the season

PS. listened to the Coldplay song once more on the net, the waltz is only a part of the song, it starts in 4/4 and is a really nice song

TamedLamia wrote:

PS. listened to the Coldplay song once more on the net, the waltz is only a part of the song, it starts in 4/4 and is a really nice song

I agree.
It's getting a lot of stick from all the supposedly "cool" people but I really like it!
Then again, I'm not very "cool", haha
Anyway, the point being: if Coldplay can do a nice one, then our Elboys should be able to do so much better!

No. Nononono. NO.

No.