We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
HO HO WHO: R.E.M., with its annual fan-club-only single. This year’s features a standard—-a cover of Darlene Love‘s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”—-and some stocking stuffers—-an instrumental mix of three songs from the trio’s upcoming full-length.
THE WALL OF SOUND: Nevermind that it has nary a thing to do with Christmas, if the dub mix “IHT -> U -> EDIYTW” is a fair indication, then The Sleigher is looking forward to the new R.E.M. long player. The sound is pensive and shimmery in the Up vein, which is a good thing on a cold winter night. Serve with hot cider and sadness.
THE WALL OF SAD: The Sleigher has written in the past about his admiration of the Darlene Love-sung, Phil Spector-concocted “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and until now considered the composition unfuckwittable. [From last year: “Kermit the Frog could sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” in Finnish backed by a recorder ensemble drunk on peppermint schnapps, and it’d still be the best holiday torch song ever.”] But the Sleigher isn’t feeling Michael StipeMike Mills‘ sorta-heartfelt but undersold reading, which eventually turns into something of a yodel. Some songs only work when you wail them.
CHEER FACTOR: 5/10. Add two points if you’re spending Christmas in the Alps. BABY PLEASE COME HO-OOOOOOOHHHHMMMMM.
LISTEN: R.E.M. – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home by Cover Me
This isn't a paywall.
We don't have one. Readers like you keep our work free for everyone to read. If you think that it's important to have high quality local reporting we hope you'll support our work with a monthly contribution.