New York City’s The High Plains Drifters have floated around the indie world for a few years with two prior collections under their collective belts. Their new single “Alone on Christmas Day” is a full-throated foray into the realm of holiday-themed material that couples a tried and true subject, the song of desire, with a streamlined style that leaves nothing to chance. A finely tuned, if a bit silly, sense of humor pairs well with the band’s songwriting aesthetic They aren’t taking themselves too seriously here, and nor should you.
It isn’t fluff, however. It continues the development evidenced by the band’s last EP release entitled Songs of Love and Loss while remaining faithful to the attributes that brought them to the dance to begin with. The High Plains Drifters are a band who studiously avoids anything smacking of useless clutter in their songs and “Alone on Christmas Day” is a prime example of that. You won’t hear a single extraneous note throughout the song as every component serves a purpose rather than existing as mere ornamentation.
I am especially impressed with how they treat the two guitar setup. The electric playing leads the way in this area, adding tasteful fills at the right time, while the acoustic guitar further fleshes out the performance with judicious embellishments along the way. Drummer Greg Cohen is an one-man rhythm section for the track; his drumming is especially crucial to the song’s success and the low-key bass playing he offers imbues the song with an unmistakable pulse.
The vocal arrangement, however, is the crowning touch. Larry Studnicky has written a succinct set of lyrics for the number that frames its narrative of longing for an unavailable lady in tight lines that he nevertheless essays with a slight smirk in many of its payoff rhymes. He’s accompanied by three backing singers who make their presence felt at assorted times during the performance.
The video for the song deserves to be judged on its own merits. The High Plains Drifters have crafted a promotional clip that’s capable of standing on its own as an independent work. It breaks a bit with the song in its use of outright humor, notable the “reviews” of different potential partners for the song’s female subject, among them Old St. Nick himself, whose BMI merits mention as a drawback. It’s full of easygoing charm, humor, and arresting visual imagery.
The aforementioned factors help make “Alone on Christmas Day” one of the more likable Christmas tunes to come down the pike in recent memory.
It’s just a signpost, however, on the way to even greater accomplishments to come for this band. They have musical substance, style to burn, and a memorable presence we can expect to keep growing over the coming years. The High Plains Drifters are doing things their way and it’s building them the sort of reputation that follows a band for the entirety of their existence. If it’s your first time encountering this unit, it’s safe to say you’ll be back for more.
Rachel Townsend