El Dog  - Let It Snow

Ah, Christmas... a time of congestion, credit cards, and commercialism. As record labels and artists alike rub their hands together in avaricious glee at the prospect of the yearly inundation of wallet padding, Scottish alternative quartet El Dog take a well warn Christmas Standard (albeit a Christmas Standard that has very little to do with Christmas) and contort it into their melancholic, bittersweet style, returning a little of the authenticity to the tradition of the yuletide single in the process. No brandy-sodden Santa vocals or dancing snowmen to be found here, just an intimate and powerful performance that underlines the band’s understated potential, providing a much appreciated respite from the deluge of Wizzard and (shudders) Cliff Richard muzak that becomes increasingly unavoidable in the run up to Chrimbo day itself. Here’s a toast to them.