Ashton Allen – The Christmas Songs

Album Reviews • Tuesday December 16th, 2008 • 5:14 pm

It happens every Christmas season as you’re hanging out with that friend. You know, that friend who simply can’t stand Christmas music. He balks at the first strains of “Jingle Bells” and cringes at the very mention of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Simply put, he thinks Christmas songs suck. Well, this Christmas holiday your friend is in luck (or you, if you’re that guy) as indie up and comer Ashton Allen has released The Christmas Songs, a collection of originals and covers that is truly the best of both worlds.

Allen, who hails from Florida, possesses a diverse sound, blending elements of Simon and Garfunkel, Elliott Smith, Belle and Sebastian, and more into a sonically pleasing indie holiday treat. The standouts here are the original tracks. “Until Christmas” sets the pace with its plucky guitar opening and Allen’s voice singing:

“Oh, oh what a silent night
Why do we have to fight?
You, you think there’s a great divide
I’m sleeping on my side
Just waiting for the rush of Yuletide.”

A catchy hook and smart songwriting help this opener set the bar high and, unfortunately, the rest is downhill from there.

But, at least it’s a gentle slope as the other originals stand strong. “On Christmas This Year” is a lonely tune featuring quiet vocals and a somber backdrop while “When It Starts to Snow” evokes thoughts of Joshua Radin or Sam Beam with its gentle piano and hushed delivery. Add in the fun but forgettable “West Coast Christmas” (interesting from a guy from the East coast) and you’ve gotten a solid taste of Allen’s original holiday spirit.

The covers are where things really falter though. It’s not that they’re necessarily bad, because they’re not, but they simply fall short of the originality the artist sets forth in his original compositions. “O Little Town” is a friendly listen for the aforementioned Scrooge but it really just doesn’t go anywhere, despite some subtle shifts. The same can be said of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World,” and “Silent Night”; they’re simply forgettable. “Jolly Old St. Nick” is the lone standout, bringing a sense of fun and good natured pop flavor to the table.

Despite the ho-hum renditions of the classic Christmas tunes, Ashton Allen has still crafted a Christmas record that will be like a cold, refreshing glass of eggnog to the anti-“Jingle Bells” crowd. Indie-flavored arrangements of the covers added to his well-written originals set this album apart from the standard strings and orchestra fare offered up most holiday seasons and might be just what you need to help you get through another shopping day.

Tagged as: Christmas, singer/songwriter