Jingle Bells

Mistletonia
Various
Mistletone, 2007
4 stars

Finally, a Christmas album with the muscle to throw Bing Crosby out of the CD player. Melbourne label Mistletone have a deep well of acts at their disposal, and they've done a great job here with the aptly titled Mistletonia. Locals including Ned Collette, Kes, Pikelet and Francis Plagne contribute their own takes on the Christmas theme, as well as international groups such as Evangelicals, John Maus and The Sticks. Don't expect sleigh bells and crooning old men though the music here is as kaleidoscopic as the album's cover.

Artwork: B+

Published in mX, Thursday 6 December 2007.