VA - Maybe This Christmas Tree (2004)

Review by MacKenzie Wilson
Nettwerk's Maybe This Christmas albums are starting to become tradition, not to mention that they keep getting better and better. Maybe This Christmas Tree picks up where Maybe This Christmas, Too left off in 2003 and introduces a new cast of indie rock and pop/rock favorites for another enjoyable holiday listen. Artists such as Pedro the Lion and Lisa Loeb do their own renditions of traditional Christmas carols while English singer/songwriter Tom McRae, swing revivalists Royal Crown Revue, and Jars of Clay cover classics by other artists. Death Cab for Cutie's charming sweetness of the Phil Spector treasure "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" goes out to all the indie rock kids. It was previously unavailable and exclusively recorded for this collection just like "Christmas Time Was Here" by Ivy. The indie pop outfit honors the Vince Guaraldi standard while dressing it up just a bit with Dominique Durand's warm vocal delight and Andy Chase's lilting string arrangements. The neo-psychedelic pop commune, the Polyphonic Spree reveres the John Lennon holiday hit "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" for a lovable holiday moment while the Raveonettes include their digital special, the velvety Spector-esque charm of "The Christmas Song." Fans young and old should enjoy Maybe This Christmas Tree. It's definitely Nettwerk's finest yuletide compilation yet. Like the music, the artwork done by Orange County native Shag goes retro, adding to the overall classy cool package. A portion of the proceeds made from Maybe This Christmas Tree once again goes to Toys for Tots, a charity supported by the U.S. Marine Corps.