Tinsel And Lights

Thorn offers ten seasonal covers and two original songs. Emphasis on Thorn’s vocals, guitar and piano for the most part. You might remember Thorn from “Everything but the Girl.” She’s made a name for herself as a solo artist in recent years. Pop folk sound, overall.
You’ll enjoy this whole album if you fancy secular Christmas songs, cover albums and mellow sentimentality. Even if you like none of those things, try tracks 5, 10, 12, 8 or 4 (in order of awesomeness).
FCC clean
RIYL Aimee Mann’s Drifter in the Snow
1. Joy (written by Tracey Thorn)
Original (new). Piano, guitar, smooth female vocals. Pretty on-the-nose. Don’t play if you’re allergic to sap. If you’re feeling love-snuggly, go for it.
2. Hard Candy Christmas (originally performed by Dolly Parton)
a very mellow revamp of Dolly
3. Like a Snowman (written by Stephin Merritt)
pretty sappy
4. Maybe This Christmas (written by Ron Sexsmith) *
actual jingle bells, but fun nonetheless. Slightly more uptempo, but just barely
5. In the Cold, Cold Night (written by Jack White) **
cool, cruising, not your typical Christmas track
6. Snow (written by Randy Newman)
mellow, down tempo
7. Snow in Sun (written by Green Gartside of Scritti Politti)
sounds more like a love song. Hint of aimee mann, maybe a hint of belle and Sebastian
8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas*
a straight interpretation of the classic. Voice and pianos, strings, a nice addition to the canon
9. Tinsel and Lights (written by Tracey Thorn)
original, ode to New York as well as Christmas
10. River (written by Joni Mitchell) *
horns and vocals, great emphasis on Thorn’s voice
11. Taking Down the Tree (feat. Green Gartside) (written by Low)
change of direction! Percussion, piano, synth. Psychedelic in a dated way.
12. Sister Winter (written by Sufjan Stevens) *
two voices, beautifully layered sound, some stripped down acoustic guitar