There is something about the melancholy quality in Tracey Thorn's voice that would seem to make the idea of a Christmas album by her improbable. But Tinsel and Lights is no ordinary Christmas album. It is as singular in its choice of material as Thorn's voice is. Produced by Ewan Pearson (who helmed 2010's Love and Its Opposite), there is only one standard, in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The rest is compiled from material written by more contemporary composers: Randy Newman, Carol Hall, Joni Mitchell, Scritti ...
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There is something about the melancholy quality in Tracey Thorn's voice that would seem to make the idea of a Christmas album by her improbable. But Tinsel and Lights is no ordinary Christmas album. It is as singular in its choice of material as Thorn's voice is. Produced by Ewan Pearson (who helmed 2010's Love and Its Opposite), there is only one standard, in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The rest is compiled from material written by more contemporary composers: Randy Newman, Carol Hall, Joni Mitchell, Scritti Politti's Green Gartside, Stephin Merritt, Ron Sexsmith, Low, Jack White, and Sufjan Stevens. Thorn also contributes a pair of fine originals. For Everything But the Girl fans, Ben Watt plays on eight of these 12 cuts. Thorn's opener, "Joy," sets the tone for the album. Backed by her piano, an electric guitar, keyboards, and bass, she lays out the hard truth of Christmas for many: "You loved it as a kid/But now you need it more than you ever did...We'll gather up our fears/And face down all the coming years/And all that they destroy/And in their face we throw our joy...." the toughness of that spirit is more vulnerable in Hall's "Hard Candy Christmas," but it is unwavering. In Sexsmith's "Maybe This Christmas," Thorn draws out what the season is supposed to mean, even in the face of human failings. "In the Cold Cold Night" shifts gears. Thorn strips away the rock histrionics to get at something far more sultry and bold; it generates real adult heat. Gartside makes a duet appearance, but not on his "Snow in Sun." On Low's "Taking Down the Tree," their duet works partly because of the sharp contrast to the original's musical arrangement (though this one is spare too) but also in the way their very different voices get at a lyric that balances sadness and near-instant nostalgia. Thorn wrote the title track, and its time-weathered wisdom is countered by the cheery arrangement. When she sings "Something almost true was in the air," the listener is touched by notions of Christmases past that nearly lived up to their hype. Yet, when she offers the closing lines: "You kissed me in the snow and that was when/I fell in love with Christmas once again," she turns the narrative on its head, ending in hope. In Stevens' sad, gray, "Sister Winter," she sends it off with both an honesty and bravery in the face of loss that echoes the well wishing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Tinsel and Lights is as emotionally complex as any recording in Thorn's or EBTG's catalog. While it is a meditation on Christmas, it makes no attempt to manipulate the listener's feelings. Instead, with its sheer musical quality, and the depth of tenderness and empathy in Thorn's voice, it highlights the season's complexities in the face of everyday life. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
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Add this copy of Tinsel and Lights to cart. $2.97, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Merge.
Add this copy of Tinsel and Lights to cart. $5.00, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Merge.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
Add this copy of Tinsel and Light to cart. $8.95, good condition, Sold by Bound Matter rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Aurora, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Merge Records.
Add this copy of Tinsel and Lights to cart. $19.08, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Merge.
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Seller's Description:
Blane/Martin; Gartside; Hall; Merritt; Mitchell; Newman; Parker/Sparhawk/Tho; Sexsmith; Stevens; Thorn; White. New. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of Tinsel and Lights to cart. $22.24, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Merge Records.
