Fearless Records’ Punk Goes… series have tackled different genres and takes of music with the label’s artists, comprised of alternative and post-hardcore bands, branding their own style on unsuspecting songs. The most notable of this series is Punk Goes Pop, now an annual release, interprets the likes of Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Adele and a slew of others, into their own style. Having taken on Pop, as well as songs of the 80’s, 90’s, Classic Rock and even Crunk, what’s left? Christmas.
Not to be outdone by other artists releasing Christmas records, Punk Goes Christmas has four original songs as covers. New Found Glory go acoustic for opening song “Nothing For Christmas” with an upbeat and happy love song with the chorus chiming “Christmas is comin’/so don’t buy me nothin’/I’ve got what I wanted/I’ve got what I needed/it’s you.”
All Time Low’s rocker “Fool’s Holiday” delivers attitude, while Jason Lancaster’s “All I Can Give You” delivers the anguish while still tender, and is probably the highlight performance of the album.
The fourth original “I Don’t Wanna Spend Another Christmas Without You” by The Ready Set, bring the pop and more standard bounce of a traditional Christmas song.
The covers aren’t just the normal standard, like Man Overboard’s pop-punk “Father Christmas”, but more contemporary artists sneak in too; The Summer Set take on Chris Brown’s “This Christmas” and Yellowcard’s version of Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights” proves to be another stand-out. The album concludes with “Do You Hear What I Hear” by William Beckett, driven by violin-mocked synth sounds and a catchy drum machine-groove.
No, it may not be a staple in your Christmas playlist this season but to introduce holiday music into your skinny-jean, guy-liner wearing teen’s hands, Punk Goes Christmas is the perfect way to do it.