The band calls A Very Special Colourmusic Christmas: Vol. 1 “the indie reponse to Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s ‘Wizards in Winter.’” And while that’s most certainly an apt description, it feels even more like the soundtrack to a lost How The Grinch Stole Christmas! sequel — a whimsical, colorful collection of songs whose quirks are only matched by their charms.
“Christmas Time at Last” finds the band at its most delightfully Dr. Seussian, followed by the traditional and accessibly upbeat “XMTOY” and winding down with the slower — and prettier — “Christmas Mourning” and “In a Sentimental Mood.”
The four-piece does its best Bon Iver with the chilly mountaintop sweep of “Snowflakes,” a rich, powerful ballad that’s hard to describe as anything but gorgeous. The closer, “Winter Song,” ties the oddball pop sensibilities and wistful acoustic tones explored through the album into a neat, red bow atop what is a pretty wonderful gift to open from one of Oklahoma’s favorite modern bands.
The album is released on vinyl and as a digital download this Friday, celebrated with an in-store performance planned for 2 p.m. that day at Guestroom Records, 3701 N. Western Ave. — Joshua Boydston
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