Bob Dylan Christmas In The Heart

December 11^th, 2009

Christmas In The Heart offers an array of Christmas carol classics such as "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Little Drummer Boy," and "O' Little Town of Bethlehem." The basic idea of this album is the jingle bells and soothing choir of Christmas music topped with a hint of Bob Dylan's personality. Unlike the run-of-the-mill Christmas music, listeners will actually ends up paying attention to Bob Dylan's versions because of the unique approach he takes to these songs.

Dylan's version of "The First Noel," epitomizes the album. The song starts with a calming choir in the background with the occasional bells and chimes. Once Dylan starts to sing, the entire dynamics of the tune changes. His scratchy voice turns a family-friendly Christmas tune into an original – if not slightly sketchy – cover that makes you wonder if Dylan is being sarcastic about the holiday spirits or if this is his way of being cheerful about the season.

Out of fifteen tracks the absolute listener-catch is "Must Be Santa." This originally mid-tempo jolly carol was completely reborn with a touch of Dylan. Fast-paced drumbeats and quirky-sounding accordion brings a whole different feel to the song. Where the original version makes you think of Santa delivering presents to children, drinking milk and eating cookies, Dylan's "Must Be Santa" makes you picture Santa falling down the stairs drunk and partying Christmas Eve away.

If you are sick of the same Christmas songs sang by the same cheesy voice over and over again, Bob Dylan's Christmas In The Heart is just for you. It's not the album you listen to while opening presents, having dinner with your family, or having hot chocolate with your significant other – it's the album you listen to while you sit at your cubicle alone, getting extra work done, and feeling skeptical about the holiday spirits. Yet, the ironic energy the album carries makes you smile and laugh, which is what the holiday season is all about.

- By Lily Jeong

Elvis Perkins in Dearland December 3rd, 2009 The Paradise Rock Club

December 3^rd, 2009

On a rainy Monday night, one opening band was not enough to perk the audience for Elvis Perkins in Dearland. After two opening acts and three solid hours after the door opened, Elvis Perkins in Dearland came out to the crowd – but not on stage. The band entered The Paradise Rock Club from the top balcony, marching in with a drum, a trombone, and a trumpet. As the band marched into the venue, the crowd cheered, stomped, and clapped to the beat.

Elvis Perkins started the show with “Gypsy Davy,” from the band’s new Doomsday EP. The New York-based band has a collective of very tight followers. Many people from the audience were singing along and grooving to the beats. Plenty of Perkins’ songs had heavy percussions and catchy bass drum beats to it, which made it easier for the audience to dance to.

“Doomsday,” turned the festive mood around a bit. The light dimmed down to enhance the melancholy feel of the song, and people swayed and moved to the slow groove. The high-pitch and rather fragile-sounding voice of Perkins brought to mind Devendra Banhart, and the gloomy melodies the horns played added a central Asian feel to the band’s sound.

After a faster tune “Stop Drop Rock and Roll,” the band left the stage leaving Perkins alone with his guitar. “Right now is the part of the night,” Perkins told the audience. “…Where I do not know what is supposed to happen. What do you want me to do?”

Despite the fact that he tried to take requests from the audience, Perkins didn’t seem to like any of the suggestions that were thrown out there, including “Freebird.” Perkins decided to play one of his older songs on his acoustic guitar.

The band came back out after a couple acoustic songs, and the crowd energy hit the pinnacle. Although it was a cold and rainy Monday night, Perkins and his band threw a grand party at the Paradise, beating the drums, dancing around the stage, and singing with the crowd.

When the group exited the stage after their last song, the crowd cheered on and on craving more. Perkins came back out with his acoustic guitar and started to play a song, and the bassist and the drummer came out during the song to join him. Even after Perkins’ first encore, the crowd did not leave the venue regardless of the house light, so the band came out once more for a few tunes. The fact that it was a Monday night did not seem to bother these avid fans – Perkins could put up a party any day of the week.

-Words and Images by Lily Jeong