Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music regularly performed or heard around the Christmas season. Music associated with Christmas may be purely instrumental, or, in the case of carols or songs, may employ lyrics whose subject matter ranges from the nativity of Jesus Christ, to gift-giving and merrymaking, to cultural figures such as Santa Claus, among other topics. Many songs simply have a winter or seasonal theme, or have been adopted into the canon for other reasons.
Drive-Thru Records was a California-based independent record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. The label was partially responsible for popularizing the pop-punk/emo sound of the early to mid-2000s. After facing financial obstacles in getting their bands' music into stores, Drive-Thru entered into a distribution deal with MCA/Universal. In 2003 MCA was dissolved and folded into Geffen Records. One of the clauses of that agreement was MCA/Geffen being able to sign any band of their choosing from Drive-Thru's roster.
Barenaked for the Holidays is a holiday-themed studio album released by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies on October 5, 2004. The album includes Christmas and Hanukkah songs as well as "Auld Lang Syne", which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. There are also several songs that are simply about the winter season. The album was the first album recorded at Steven Page's studio, Fresh Baked Woods and was the first released independently by Barenaked Ladies' Desperation Records label. It was the band's first studio album for which a "naked track" was not recorded. This album achieved Gold status in Canada.
The Room's Too Cold is the debut studio album by the American rock band The Early November. Produced by Chris Badami, it was released on October 7, 2003 through Drive-Thru Records. It was co-produced by the lead singer - Arthur 'Ace' Enders. The album also features a guest appearance from Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line, who was also signed to Drive-Thru at the time. The album peaked at number 107 on US Billboard 200.
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, with music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant "Shchedryk". The music is in the public domain; Wilhousky's lyrics, however, are under copyright owned by Carl Fischer Music.
Last Stop Suburbia is Allister's third release on Drive-Thru Records and second studio album, released on October 8, 2002.
Hellogoodbye is the eponymous debut EP from Hellogoodbye. It was released on August 17, 2004 by Drive-Thru Records. All the vocals and instruments were recorded solely by Forrest Kline, except for the lead vocals on track 4, which were performed by Jesse Kurvink.
Kings of Pop is the third and final album by the rock band Home Grown, released in 2002 by Drive-Thru Records. It was the band's first release with the drummer Darren Reynolds and its only release as a trio, having lost the second guitarist in 2000.
Hidden in Plain View is an American five-piece post-hardcore band from northern New Jersey. They formed in 2000 and originally disbanded in 2007. During this seven-year run, the group released records with four record labels, including two full-length albums and three EPs. Hidden in Plain View played numerous venues, including The Capitol in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and concert tours such as the Warped Tour and the Drive-Thru Records Invasion Tours in the United States, Europe and Japan. In 2015 they reunited and released an EP entitled Animal via Rise Records. In 2022, the band released their latest EP Tantrums.
Life in Dreaming is Hidden in Plain View's first full-length album, released on February 22, 2005 by Drive-Thru Records.
Self Against City was a pop rock band from Sacramento, California best known for their single "The Process." They formed in 2004 and were the first band to sign to Rushmore Records. The five-piece band made an EP, as well as a full-length album Telling Secrets to Strangers (2007).
"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. The song was written by Berlin for the musical film Holiday Inn, released in 1942. The composition won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards.
Houston Calls was an American rock band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey, United States. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Rushmore Records. On June 9, 2009, they announced their official breakup.
Listen to Bob Dylan: A Tribute is a tribute album, dedicated to Bob Dylan. The two disc set was released on August 16, 2005 by Drive-Thru Records. Despite the record label's reputation for its emo/pop punk roster, the compilation album contained cover versions kept close to the originals, instead of pop punk renditions of the songs.
The Inevitability of a Strange World is Halifax's third release, issued on May 23, 2006 by Drive-Thru Records.
Forget What You Know is the third and final studio album by American rock band Midtown. Following the release of Living Well Is the Best Revenge (2002), Midtown was moved from MCA to Geffen Records as a result of a merger between the two labels. The group spent time writing on their next album and following a meeting with Butch Walker, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to start recording the new material. Walker headed the producing helm and Forget What You Know was recorded in late 2003 at Ruby Red Studios. The album is classified as an emo and pop punk release; its songs were compared with those of Division of Laura Lee, Recover and Jimmy Eat World.
Acoustic Hearts of Winter is a Christmas album and the second studio album by American pop duo Aly & AJ. The album was released on September 26, 2006 in the United States, via Hollywood Records. The album was conceived as a project after completing the deluxe edition of their debut album, Into the Rush (2005). All production of the album was done by Antonina Armato and Tim James. The majority of songs are cover versions of religious Christmas carols or contemporary classics. Two originals appear on the set, which were written by Aly & AJ with Armato and James. Musically, the album has an instrument-driven acoustic feel, primarily by guitar. It utilizes pop music influences on Christmas music. The album sold 110,000 copies in the United States.
The Track Record was an American pop punk band from Annapolis, Maryland, United States, that was signed to Rushmore Records. The band consisted of Michael Strackbein, Rob Elson (guitar), Rob Viti (guitar), and Hasani Martin (drums). Rob Elson was the primary songwriter. Rob Elson and Hasani both attended the University of Maryland, College Park, until they decided to pursue the band full-time.
Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, songwriter, and dancer. She presents choreographed violin performances, in live and music videos found on her official YouTube channel, which she created in 2007.
Pentatonix is an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, currently consisting of vocalists Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. Characterized by their pop-style arrangements with vocal harmonies, basslines, riffing, percussion, and beatboxing, they produce cover versions of modern pop works or Christmas songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, along with original material. Pentatonix formed in 2011 and subsequently won the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off, receiving $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music. When Sony's Epic Records dropped the group after The Sing-Off, the group formed its YouTube channel, distributing its music through Madison Gate Records, a label owned by Sony Pictures. Their YouTube channel currently has 19.8 million subscribers and 5.7 billion views. The group's video tribute to Daft Punk had received more than 364 million views as of November 17, 2022.
