Slow Club - Christmas

Usually seasonal efforts are generally frowned upon, but in this case the Slow Club have managed to pull off a very respective Christmas themed effort. We start with two covers of Darlene Love, which range from the dark and introspective, to the downright camp.

Opener 'Alone on Christmas' is given a darker touch by vocals led by Charles from the Sheffield duo, and the gloomy undertones are on show for all to see. Rebecca takes the vocals on for the delightful cover of 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), which is just irresistably catchy. A real heart-warmer.

'Its Christmas and You're Boring Me' is the band at its witty best, with some sincere lyrics based around the jangly acoustics throughout. An electro instrumental remix of 'Silent Night' is a bold and innovative step, which gives the well-known hymn a new lease of life with top marks for improvisation.

The only low point here is title track 'Christmas, Thanks for Nothing', where again witty lyrics are employed but this time they fail to really strike a chord with the listener. The track also becomes a bit disjointed halfway through. Closer 'Christmas TV' could be the band's homage to The White Stripes, as Rebecca and Charles share vocals for the first time on the EP with superb results. Their voices blend so well together with the acoustics of the song. Think a seasonal 'Hotel Yorba'.

So there you have it, the Christmas EP can be done, and done well. X Factor winners and Cliff Richard, please take note.