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Aimee Mann – One more drifter in the snow
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Aimee Mann – One more drifter in the snow
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Aimee Mann – One more drifter in the snow
This is a Christmas album. But you probably got that impression anyway, what with there being a plastic reindeer on the cover. I hate Christmas albums. In fact, I hate Christmas songs in general. I don’t mind a bit of The Pogues and Kirsty Macoll and I always enjoy hearing Jonah Louie for the first time every year, but you can keep the rest as far as I’m concerned. No, please, please keep the rest. Keep the sleigh bells. Keep the children’s choir and keep Cliff bloody Richard to yourself. I don’t want to hear it. Any of it! In fact, if you play that Mariah Carey one in my presence I may have to hurt you.
So here we have a Christmas album. It includes versions of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, White Christmas and Winter Wonderland. The Christmas Song is on here too. You know, the one about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The only thing is, this time they’re sung by Aimee Mann and that changes their complexion entirely.
Aimee’s voice is such a wonderfully melancholy instrument that I swear if she sang the alphabet song she could reduce me to tears. I wouldn’t say she’s depressing but if you’re feeling pretty down and sorry about yourself, Aimee’s the one to turn to if you want to wallow in it for a while. Her voice is achingly beautiful but her songs always seem to have a sad tinge to them. This album’s no different.
It’s a cool, beautiful and haunting record. It’s certainly one of the only Christmas albums I would actually recommend to anybody. But whatever you do, do not play this album whilst sitting around the table eating dinner with your family. Wait until they’ve gone home. Finish the washing up. Sit down, take off your shoes. Pour yourself a drink and wait until your mind starts to wander. Let yourself remember loved ones who aren’t with you any more. Let out a big sigh, take a big drink and press play. Have a little cry this Christmas. You’ll feel better for it.
Thanks Aimee, this is beautiful.
Words: Damian Leslie