Monkees New Christmas Album?

I’m officially letting myself listen to Christmas music. I immediately opened this one after buying the Target edition and looking at it for a month. I’m digging it so far!

 

Anyone getting one of these? (No I don’t work for Rhino )

Christmas Party Red Holiday Sweatshirt

Christmas Party Green Holiday Sweatshirt

 

No Thanks. Not even fond of the album.

 

They’re cool,but I’ll pass. Still waiting on that 2019 vinyl release

 

Loving this song and video:

 

I would doubt it was actually a finished recording. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if it was never really recorded and only demo'd or rehearsed or something. It's been very unclear as to what exactly what was done with it and it seems that it was rejected fairly early on in the process. - Although I would love to be completely wrong!

 

Monkees Unwrap You At Christmas Video | The Monkees Home Page

 

Looks like the Unwrap You At Christmas Single Mix is available for download on iTunes and Amazon.

 

During the live chat they said the "Unwrap You At Christmas" (Single Mix) was remixed by Tom Lord-Alge, which is surprising to say the least.

 

I like the video with the comic strips as the visuals. Well done. I'm also enjoying playing the Target version of the CD.

 

Good2BAnywhere wrote:

Nice Christmas sweaters, but I will pass on those.

I really dislike Christmas clothing, even if I like how those look. Now back to Christmas Party album listens.

 

I remember reading at the time in the old Monkee Business Fanzine that it was nixed because Jones had a co-writer on the tune-- and that didn't fit in the "Just Us" category. But I seem to remember that it was a finished tune.

I also remember reading in MBF that Peter was VERY surprised to learn after the fact that You and I had been released on the DJBH lp.

 

Thanks for the heads-up. This would have been a nice RSD release. Anyone know if a physical single will happen? Based on the 30 second Amazon sample, sounds like the sleigh bells are louder and more background vocals are present on the single mix.

 

I’m thinking we get a RSD release single next year.

Also - John Hughes teases a gatefold for Christmas Party and said rest assured, we'll do something special for the vinyl release. Hopefully they will add Riu Chiu, Christmas Is My Time Of Year and also include White Christmas, MTV Christmas Medley, Deck The Halls, Greensleeves and other surprises. Make it a deluxe!!

 

Are there any noticeable differences between the single and album mixes? Deciding whether or not to download the single on Apple Music.

 

It's definitely a different mix. It sounds pretty different to me. It's less dry, more in-your-face and arguably more radio friendly. But there are no differences in the musical content as far as instruments and vocals go and on a casual listen, people who are not music fanatics wouldn't really notice, I don't believe.

The youtube video uses the single mix, so perhaps you can listen there and decide if it's worth it to you.

 

Based on the 30 second Amazon sample, sounds like the sleigh bells are louder and more background vocals are present on the single mix.

 

This is pretty much how it sounded to me. IMO, it's not a major difference from the album version.

 

I decided to sync the two mixes together and listen for exact differences.
All the differences are minor.
The only real "musical" difference is the crash cymbal on the intro lasts a lot longer than the album mix.
There are different compression and delay effects on lead and backing vocals. (minor)
The drums are little more up front in the original mix.
The scat vocal that doubles the guitar solo is more prominent in the new mix.
The fade starts slightly earlier on the album mix, but is slower and lasts longer than the single mix.
I actually think the sleigh-bells only seem louder because the drums are quieter. Because I thought they were louder too, until I did this...

 

Hardly sounds like Micky at all, his voice is so processed.

 

Video for "What Would Santa Do?" - Released today 12/6/18 - a week after the other single (Unwrap). It has the very similar comic strip display as the previous video.

 

Monkees 'What Would Santa Do?' Video | The Monkees Home Page

 

Hmmm...maybe their plan is to use the same video for every song on the album and just change the text. I can't say I'm disappointed, because I didn't expect another video, but this seems weird.

 

While they are similar, there are different images in the new video.

 

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