Today was not only the birthday of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. ‘Twas also the birthday of the late Edward Gorey, one of the greatest of all illustrators of the strange and the macabre.
Gorey was a cartoonist, who wrote and drew many unusual picture books, all of them possessing a rather odd or morbid sense of humour about them. Often, the characters in his stories will meet some tragic or grim fate, but they are told in such a quaint and old-fashioned manner that one ends up being charmed rather than horrified by them. Edward Gorey’s stories and cartoons are kind of like Edward Lear’s, but with black comedy and a Goth aesthetic. Probably the most famous of all his works is The Gashlycrumb Tinies- an alphabet book, featuring the various ghastly demises of assorted small children. Perfect bedtime reading.
One thing I love about Gorey’s artwork is…well, everything, really. All those odd creatures, and those little children, with their eerily mournful expressions. Not to mention the backgrounds, with their magnificent use of shading and hatching to create scenes that are both cosy and ominous. Edward Gorey’s drawings may seem simple on the surface, but the more you examine them, the more you realise how talented he was. And another groovy thing about his art is that all of his works really do resemble some sort of oddity from another time period. When I first starting reading his stuff, I thought he was around in Edwardian times or something. Actually, he was a twentieth century artist, whose works just happened to perfectly capture (as opposed to imitating) that antiquated feel.
Edward Gorey is a delight to read. I am very sad that he had to pass away so soon, but at least he left behind an amazing amount of heartwarmingly ghoulish tales of death and despair for us to enjoy.
Since Christmas is a time for music, there are many, many, many, many Christmas songs. A large number of bands have done their own Christmas songs, both cover versions and originals. But let’s be honest, a lot of them are rather boring pop songs. So, here’s a list of some more unique Christmas songs, and whether they be Steampunk Christmas Carols, Gothic Rock renditions of Christmas Classics, or avant-garde…stuff, they are sure to make your Christmas a bit more special/spooky/silly.
Siouxsie and the Banshees- Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant. Well, I didn’t expect this. The Banshees don’t really seem like the sort of band to cover a Christmas Carol. Yet, they did. And ’tis just as groovy as one would expect. ‘Tis an absolute treat to hear a song like this sung in Siouxsie’s distinctive voice, and in the band’s signature style. Also, it’s in French.
The Residents- Seasoned Greetings. You really cannot have a list of odd music and not include the Rez somehwere in it. From their debut album, Meet the Residents, this is a cacaphonic, wonderfully chaotic work of jazzy, experimental, creative, seasonal silliness. (I should use that phrase more often.) The pun of the title is wonderful too.
Oingo Boingo- This Time. Tim Burton almost always collaborates with Danny Elfman for his films. This was a demo song by Elfman’s superb band Oingo Boingo, written for The Nightmare before Christmas. While ’twas never actually used in the film, that doesn’t make it any less groovy.
The Goon Show- I’m Walking Backwards For Christmas. I love old comedy, and I love absurdism. The Goons combined both of those in their absolutely genius radio show- if you’ve never ever listened to it before, I highly recommend it. It starred such comedy greats as Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, and here the Goons sing about- what else? -walking backwards for Christmas.
The Hellblinki Sextet- Buy Me Stuff For Christmas. A cheerful, upbeat little song about PRESENTSPRESENTSPRESENTS!!!!!
Klaus Nomi/Sleep Party People- Silent Night. From his unfinished final album, Za Bakdaz, Nomi’s rendition of the classic song contains plenty of adorable campness, oddness and good humour. As for Sleep Party People’s, ’tis just beautiful. And strange, of course.
Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing- Stille Nacht. This…is like if Rammstein covered Silent Night. And it is amazing. Keep in mind that MTWNBBFN aren’t even an industrial metal band. Or German. As a matter of fact, they’re a helzapopping British band that puts the “punk” back in “Steampunk”. But enough idle chatter- just listen to it:
Zombina and the Skeletones- Transylvanian Xmas/ Chainsaw For Christmas. As with my last list of top 13 songs, I found myself having to include not one, but two Zombina songs. I really couldn’t choose one over the other. If I had to pick a favourite though, ‘twould probably be Transylvanian Xmas. But if you like fun, horror-themed rockabilly or horror punk, and think that Christmas is lacking in such songs, then you’ll dig these like a grave.
Voltaire- Comin’ Out For Christmas. In case you hadn’t figured out, I’m a huge Voltaire fan. After all, he’s the ultimate Perky Goth. This is a country song (although sadly not included on his country album, Hate Lives in a Small Town) about a rather awkward Christmas revelation indeed. Like all of his songs, ’tis hilarious, and I’m sure that many of his target audience can relate.
Abney Park- Little Drummer Boy. An atmospheric darkwave/Steampunk band, Abney Park have released not one, but two Christmas albums. (Their second one came out just this year.) And it’s actually a really good pairing. With Captain Robert’s low, whispery vocals and the band’s dark, atmospheric music, they manage to create a very magical, enthralling Christmas mood. I picked Little Drummer Boy for the list because, instead of the military-style drums that are usually used for this carol, they instead decided to go with something that the baby Jesus would probably have been more used to hearing.
Mister B- Oh, Santa! Mister B the Gentleman Rhymer is a chap-hop sensation, and this year he released a rather spiffing little Christmas ditty. That blasted blighter Santa behaved in a most unchaplike fashion- well, he certainly won’t be going down that gent’s chimney again anytime soon.
Tom Waits- Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis. The title alone is enough. I love Tom Waits and practically every song he does is a work of unbridled genius. A touching, sad, but also slightly tongue-in-cheek song that is sure to appeal to any lovers of Fairytale of New York.
Nox Arcana/Jill Tracy- Carol of the Bells. This is, without a doubt, my favourite Christmas carol of all time. Anything with church bells in it is bound to cause shivers to run down my spine. I came across two equally great but very different covers of the song, and so once again I had to decide on a tie. Nox Arcana is a dark ambient band, with all of their albums based on a certain theme or setting. Winter’s Knight was their first winter-themed album, and for it they did a suitably haunting cover of the carol. Dark Cabaret musician Jill Tracy’s version is less dramatic and more quiet. Both bring out different elements of it, so it all really depends on what sort of mood I’m in to decide which one I’ll listen to.
Residents- Santa Dog. But of course, another song by my favouritest band in the universe. Christmas should have silliness and joy in it as well as reverence and wonder. After all, Christmas is about love, which, at the end of the day, is a very silly thing indeed. 😉 So why not listen to a festive song by one of the silliest- and best -bands in existence?
I am the Man Behind the Curtain. This is my blog. If you are reading this blog, then I urge you to continue doing so, as soon I shall reveal everything…
This blog is partly fictional, but can you guess which parts are real and which ones are not? I doubt you can. And who am I? Well, I shall take that secret to the grave, bwah-ha-ha!
In this blog, I shall write posts about odd things, from my own fevered musings, to book reviews, to the Muppets. I shall also write a lot about books such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and The Third Policeman, three of the greatest novels ever written.
I shall also reveal all the secrets of the universe, so it is imperative that you read it.
The Hawkline Monster 