The Garlands' Christmas single

When they're done right, Christmas singles are unbeatable!  So far this winter, Swedish group The Garlands (Snowflakes Christmas Singles Club) has delivered the most luxurious, most wholesome, most heart-swelling Christmas song to find it's way into Not Unloved's seasonal record box.  It's as beautifully arranged and confidently played a slice of (winter) sunshine pop as I've heard all year.  That they've covered the heavenly Margo Guryan's "I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You" on the flip-side is simply the cranberry sauce on the top.  Their lp for Shelflife was a blast and their cover of Wham's "Freedom" from their Cosy Den cd-r a few years back was a mix-cd staple at the time so it's no surprise that they've produced such a divine Christmas record.   

While I'm on the subject of Christmas records, from the snippets available online, Norman Blake's other group, The New Mendicants, has a rather fine festive 7" on the way.  It's due for release on December the 23rd.  Hopefully, copies will find their way into Monorail in time for Christmas!

Frozen Disease

"Frozen Disease" by Norway's I Was A King gets me in the heart every time.  Every time.  Its dense array of burnished guitars and vintage organs combine with singer Anne Lise Frøkedal's rueful voice to exquisite effect.  There are the tiniest echoes of the much missed Trish Keenan in Frøkedal's phrasing and handling of the melody.  Maybe that's why it makes me so emotional.  I guess the swells have something to do with that, too.  Whatever the reason, I feel it every time.

Stream and buy their "You Love It Here" album here (N.B. There is a lovely vinyl issue, too!).  Impeccably produced by Norman Blake and Robyn Hitchcock (!), it was released in autumn 2012 and was their third album.  I'll definitely be sifting through their back catalogue in search of more gems after hearing it.