The Yule Logs – The Yule Logs

It’s that time again, as the holidays swoop in upon us. The streets are already being festooned with Christmas cheer, the stores are teeming with this year’s hottest toys and, before long, the incessant sounds of Top 40 holiday merriment will make its way through every radio station in the U.S. of A. And as we all know, we’ll hear everything from the classics like Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” alongside overwrought and sappy jams like that dang “Christmas Shoes” song. With all that history, all that tradition, you’d think there’d be very little new to be able to add to the season.

Thankfully, that’s not so as Chico, CA’s The Yule Logs debut album is out to tell us. It’s nothing groundbreaking, for sure, but it sure is a lot of fun. Possessed of Brit pop sounds and California harmonies, this quartet works hard to keep the “merry” in “merry Christmas. Perhaps that why they’ve garnered the moniker, “the hardest working band in snow business.”

The band works both sides of the fence, presenting an appreciable blend of creative, oftentimes tongue-in-cheek originals alongside reworkings of more traditional tunes. “Christmas From Berlin” kicks things off with a sixties-style guitar vibe and serious harmonies while “Christmastime Is Here (Again!)” owes some sonic credit to “Rockin’ ‘Round the Christmas Tree.” “Walking With the Ghost of Christmas” opens up slowly but then picks up, keeping a toe-tapping tempo over against some “Christmas Carol” inspired lyrics as “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” channels the best of the doo-wop realm.

The band is an equal opportunity provider as well, offering up a few humorous Hanukkah songs as well, no doubt courtesy of Maurice Spencer, who is credited with not only guitar and vocals credits but also “Judaism.” “Hanukkah, O Hanukkah” opens with the sound of a match being lit, segueing into yet more sixties rock and smiling lyrics as the “Hanukkah Mambo!” brings a bit of fun, with lyrics like, “Light the menorah from right to left/Which night do you like the best/I’ll take Hanukkah on the rocks/’Cuz all I got was sweaters and socks.” “Christmas is Lonely (When You’re A Jew)” finishes up the Hebraic honors, again recalling some classic ’50s vibes with humorous undertones.

But as oftentimes is the case, it’s the covers that resonate the most with the listener. Whether it’s the warm familiarity of being able to sing along with these tracks right away or whatever, they work well for the most part. The Logs offer up a pretty straightforward take on that venerable classic, “Last Christmas” while taking some liberties with “Up On the Howzie Top,” showcasing their solid harmonies amidst a bit of ska. “We Three Kings” finds the group tapping into some classic rock while staying true to the melody as “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” brings together multiple elements for a fitting close to this most unusual and enjoyable of Christmas records.

The Yule Logs may just be what you need alongside your eggnog this holiday season. When you’ve had your fill of Andy Williams or The King, do yourself a favor and pop in this debut. You’ll be glad you did.

Related posts:

1. Various Artists – I’ll Stay ‘Til After Christmas
2. Ashton Allen – The Christmas Songs
3. The Boxmasters – Christmas Cheer
4. Sugar & Gold – AYA Remix EP
5. Headlights – Some Racing, Some Stopping

Tagged as: California, Christmas, indie pop

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