Do goths celebrate Christmas? Somehow, the image of somber neo-vampires with white face makeup and jet-black hair seems incongruous next to the cheery festivity of the holiday season. (Do they abandon their trademark dark ... more »clothing in favor of red-and-green argyle sweaters?) Well, Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song proves you can have your fruitcake and eat it, too. Much like its predecessor, 1995's A Dark Noel, this album features a selection of holiday songs as interpreted by goth bands. Yet what sounds like a cheesy way to cash in on the Christmas-music craze is actually a pretty good listen, especially if you're tired of hearing "Jingle Bell Rock" for the umpteenth time. Predictably, the songs veer toward the liturgical, but there are also fresh takes on traditional carols and even a Hanukkah song (Sofia Run's bittersweet take on "Little Candles"--sung in Hebrew, no less). El Duende's stirring "Gaudete, Gaudete," Rhea's Obsession's Dead Can Dance-like "We Three Kings," Rasputina member Julia Kent's beautiful cello rendition of "What Child Is This?," and Lycia's eerie "Little Town of Bethlehem" round out a worthwhile collection. Now all you need to do is turn the lights down low, paint the Christmas tree black, and wait for Satan--er, Santa--to come down the chimney. --Steve Landau« less
Do goths celebrate Christmas? Somehow, the image of somber neo-vampires with white face makeup and jet-black hair seems incongruous next to the cheery festivity of the holiday season. (Do they abandon their trademark dark clothing in favor of red-and-green argyle sweaters?) Well, Excelsis, Vol. 2: A Winter's Song proves you can have your fruitcake and eat it, too. Much like its predecessor, 1995's A Dark Noel, this album features a selection of holiday songs as interpreted by goth bands. Yet what sounds like a cheesy way to cash in on the Christmas-music craze is actually a pretty good listen, especially if you're tired of hearing "Jingle Bell Rock" for the umpteenth time. Predictably, the songs veer toward the liturgical, but there are also fresh takes on traditional carols and even a Hanukkah song (Sofia Run's bittersweet take on "Little Candles"--sung in Hebrew, no less). El Duende's stirring "Gaudete, Gaudete," Rhea's Obsession's Dead Can Dance-like "We Three Kings," Rasputina member Julia Kent's beautiful cello rendition of "What Child Is This?," and Lycia's eerie "Little Town of Bethlehem" round out a worthwhile collection. Now all you need to do is turn the lights down low, paint the Christmas tree black, and wait for Satan--er, Santa--to come down the chimney. --Steve Landau
CD Reviews
More Hell's Bells!
Aislinn N. Connolly | Sydney, Australia | 12/13/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Where "A Dark Noel", was like an eerie, empty church, the second release "A Winters Tale", initially seems to be the polar-opposite of its predecessor. It is presented on crisp white paper and silver ink, with an angelic child sporting a halo and wings. When listening to this, despite being in the Southern hemisphere, I can imagine a fresh fall of sparkling snow lying outside the window, in a typical northern European winter landscape.The disk opens with El Duende's Oscar Herrera (the same vocalist behind Black Tape for a Blue Girl) performing a 16th century hymn "Gaudete, Gaudete".
One of my favourite bands, Rhea's Obsession, appear twice: firstly with "We Three Kings" (which interesting does not become stagnant despite Lycia's version on the previous disk) and a more percussive Huron Indian carol with the trademark Indo-Bulgarian style singing of Sue Hutton. Unto Ashes rendition of the traditional Shaker hymn "Lord of the Dance" also rates highly in my book. Lycia (again!) deliver a broken music-box rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" with the doll-like voice of Tara Vanflower.
London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song" is an original and is actually rather nice (it also appears on their Oddities album) in a guitar-spangle shimmery way.I suspect there was a subtle irony intended in Siddal choosing to perform a wispy ethereal "In The Bleak Midwinter", penned by none other than 19th century poet, Christina Rossetti; sister-in-law of the original Siddal - Elizabeth, of Pre-Raphealite fame.A good companion piece to the original, but not as dark."
Hardly JUST for Goths
Aislinn N. Connolly | 11/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Any fresh and interesting variations to the standard Christmas tunes we trot out every year are more than welcome. This compilation offers several stirring and beautiful songs you may not have listed in your Christmas repertoire. Please don't be put off by the "Goth" label slapped on this CD, if such a thing would otherwise dissuade you. Instead discover this enchanting album that offers a mellower, more etherial version of Christmas than the standard sacchrine ditties..."
Holiday music I can tolerate!
CreepyT | Colorado, United States | 12/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I absolutely love this CD! Let me begin by saying that I am not the type of person who enjoys most Christmas music. I find that a lot of what gets played on the radio during the month of December to be rather out-dated and bland. This CD is definitely quite the opposite. This compilation is a great intermediate for those who enjoy gothic/darkwave music, yet don't want something too "dark" for the holidays. The music is ambient and ethereal, and creates a somewhat darker atmosphere than your typical Bing Crosby Christmas songs, but that's a good thing! Some good examples of these darker songs are "Lord of the Dance" by Unto Ashes, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Lycia, and "Coventry Carol" performed by The Machine in the Garden. However, there are many up-beat songs as well. Songs such as the Cruxshadows' version of "Happy Xmas," and the Hanukkah song "Little Candles" by Sofia Run serve to break up the at times bleak atmosphere created by some of the other tracks. Some standout tracks include the 16th century hymn "Gaudete, Gaudete" by El Duende, Julia Kent's cello rendition of "What Child Is This?," and "We Three Kings" performed by Rhea's Obsession featuring Athan Maroulis. True, this CD is put out by gothic and darkwave artists (under the renowned Projekt label), but that does not, by any means, imply that only "goths" will enjoy this album. There is definitely something for everyone on this compilation. If you are looking for some holiday music that is somewhat "off-the-beaten-path," so to speak, or even if you just want something a little different to place in your CD player this Christmas, then you NEED to buy this CD. You will not be dissapointed. Also, try to pick up volumes 1 and 3 as well! If you are like me and enjoy the creepier, darker aspects of everything, then you should definitely invest in Volume 1, A Dark Noel, in addition to this album."
Disappointing
CreepyT | 12/05/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I was (and am still) so impressed by the first Excelsis album that I always hoped there would be a follow-up. I bought this CD as soon as it came out and listened to it despite the fact that it was summer. I was immediately disappointed. Most of the songs here lack the dark beauty of the first album. The first two songs, and the finale by Human Drama are excellent. They'd be perfectly at home on A Dark Noel. But everything in between--except for the Coventry Carol and Huron Indian Carol--is severely lacking. Melissa Etheridge's cover of Happy Xmas is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard; the version here is upbeat pop, the kind of Christmas music that I avoid like the plague. Faith & Disease and Lynn Canfield could have done much better, and Siddal probably couldn't, so they should have never been included in the first place. Well, I've done more than enough whining, but I wanted to make it clear that the gorgeous, dark songs of A Dark Noel that redefined Christmas music for me are missing from this album."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1