5 Day Forecast: W3V2

Tuesday ∆ J Metro - Frosty

Truth is, I actually love R&B Christmas songs such as TLC - Sleigh Ride, Boys II Men - Let It Snow, and a handful of others. I think because these songs are different from the Christmas classics that you always tend to hear on the radio or in movies. This song was posted almost 21 hours ago from the time I'm writing this and I instantly fell in love.

The R&B beat is really grooving. The whole song actually hold this kind of 90's R&B feel which makes this song stand out. There's this arpeggiated bell sample playing in the background that makes this tune really "frosty". The bells have this sharp sound that sounds as if someone took some xylophone mallets and started hitting some icicles. The drums are very 90's feeling, a short 808 style kick with a 909 style clap and some intermixed hi hats, snares, and woodblock hits add to this upbeat grooving effect. J Metro's vocals are chilling to say the least but, when he hits these falsettos it's bliss. Not to mention when the back up vocals accompany him you're engulfed in a utopia of R&B vocal harmony.

Now don't get confused, this is not a cover of Frosty the Snowman. J Metro mixes his own lyrics with some iconic Frosty the Snowman lines like "thumpity, thump thump, over the hills, etc." He does an excellent job of combining the two. It's hard to listen to new Christmas songs that you may not be familiar with but, the fact that he throws in those notorious lines really makes it easy to listen to.

Check out the track here:



-Sam

5 Day Forecast: W3V1

Monday ∆ My Morning Jacket - I'll Be Home For Christmas (feat. The Head and the Heart) 

I for one am a big fan of My Morning Jacket, and Christmas songs. The fact that the two of these came together is absolute bliss. Granted this was released two years ago, I just had to post it because I just really love this version of I'll Be Home For Christmas.

This remake of Bing Crosby's 1945 Top 10 Hit is really soothing. Singer of My Morning Jacket, Jim James really holds true to the jazzy vocals like the original tune. He sings this song so smooth and slow that it has you reaching for a glass of hot chocolate, curling up next to a decorated Christmas tree, and watching the snow fall in a state of pure relaxation. Now, My Morning Jacket, most certainly isn't a jazz band, but the way in which they execute this jazzy cover is excellent. The acoustic guitar, the jazzy piano, the brushed snare drums, the calmly picked upright bass, everything comes together so well.

Eventually, some organ playing emerges from the background and Jim is accompanied by some backup vocals that compliment so chillingly. What, I don't understand however, is why there are only two comments. One of the users stating "This sounds terrible!". Well, that user clearly doesn't the true beauty behind this cover. Everything with this track is just so warming I can't see how it could be terrible. The other comment I can agree with however, it states "idk why, this track is so soothing lol". Now that I can agree with!

But, anyway here is the My Morning Jacket twist of a holiday classic:



-Sam