{"title":"Sounds of the Season","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"tracey-thorn-tinsel-and-lights","title":"Tracey Thorn - Tinsel and Lights","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 2012, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tracey-thorn\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracey Thorn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e followed her acclaimed 2010 album \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tracey-thorn-love-and-its-opposite\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLove and Its Opposite\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e with a brand-new Christmas album featuring ten seasonal cover versions, two new original tracks, and Green from Scritti Politti.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Ewan Pearson, \u003ci\u003eTinsel and Lights\u003c\/i\u003e features Tracey’s rich vocals and contributions on guitar and piano. Her longtime partner, Ben Watt guests on guitar and piano on several tracks. Leo Taylor (Adele, Hot Chip) plays drums, Steve Pearce—who played on Everything But The Girl’s feted album \u003ci\u003eIdlewild\u003c\/i\u003e—is on bass, while Pearson adds signature synths and electronics. Three tracks include orchestral arrangements by Nick Ingman. The LP version includes Tracey’s rendition of “25th December,” originally written and sung by Ben Watt on Everything But The Girl’s 1994 album \u003ci\u003eAmplified Heart\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":52739165847863,"sku":"MRG459lp","price":20.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739165782327,"sku":"MRG459cd","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739165815095,"sku":"MRG459digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/1470275d7c308ab1820e6abfdd8d3eaa47a3b49c_aaf2466b140f4165be1d546688c5612daddd81ae_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380265"},{"product_id":"julian-koster-the-singing-saw-at-christmastime","title":"Julian Koster - The Singing Saw at Christmastime","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Koster\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eThe Music Tapes\u003c\/strong\u003e) presents a new holiday classic. Join the Singing Saw Orchestra as they unite saws both young and old in an enchanting celebration of traditional Christmas songs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739181412663,"sku":"MRG330cd","price":17.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739181379895,"sku":"MRG330digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/f0fa852ab395354ce4c49ccfde68fc1c6f155dd3_bdf63654a79c7669309d8f905587c6108d2d0d5c_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380743"},{"product_id":"annie-hayden-you-wish-a-merge-records-holiday-album","title":"Annie Hayden - You Wish: A Merge Records Holiday Album","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo usher in the 2019 holiday season and cap off a fantastic 30th year as a label, we released \u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou Wish: A Merge Records Holiday Album \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003efeaturing both original music and covers of traditional songs by 15 Merge artists, all newly recorded for this compilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot surprisingly, the sonic spectrum on \u003ci\u003eYou Wish\u003c\/i\u003e is diverse. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/william-tyler\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Tyler\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e delivers a gentle instrumental cover of Big Star’s “Jesus Christ,” but not before \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mike-krol\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMike Krol\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e launches into “Won’t Be Alone Tonight,” a self-described “fast Christmas rocker about love and happiness.” The \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/telekinesis\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTelekinesis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e-penned “Christmas Time Is Here (Uh Oh)” almost appeared on a Cheap Trick holiday album, but Michael Lerner made the song his own for our record.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lyrical subject matter swings just as wide: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mac-mccaughan\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMac McCaughan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e \u0026amp; \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/annie-hayden\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnnie Hayden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e yearn for snow on “Down We Go (Sledding Song),” while \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/the-essex-green\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Essex Green\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e crave warmer climes on the winking “Green Christmas.” \u003cstrong\u003eLucinda Williams\u003c\/strong\u003e’ voice remains as singular as ever, joining \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hiss-golden-messenger\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHiss Golden Messenger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e’s M.C. Taylor for a heartbreaking rendition of the John Prine classic “Christmas in Prison.” \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mikal-cronin\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMikal Cronin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e’s song is inspired by his childhood experience of starring in a present-stealing, Santa-drugging Christmas musical (those exist?). Sure, \u003ci\u003eYou Wish\u003c\/i\u003e may seem contradictory at times, but it’s also a reflection of the season and the mix of emotions that come with it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739216245047,"sku":"MRG644lp","price":19.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739216277815,"sku":"MRG644digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/bede0d9ec198160b4ff1c95cd500f1aa86bb46fd_2656035fc32ff216448aa5fd3f45d1fadf096e27_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381366"},{"product_id":"she-him-holiday-b-w-last-christmas","title":"She \u0026 Him - \"Holiday\" b\/w \"Last Christmas\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eA brand-new \u003cstrong\u003eShe \u0026amp; Him \u003c\/strong\u003e7-inch featuring covers of Madonna’s “Holiday” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” as well as a bonus download of their beautiful take on “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” the Meredith Willson classic popularized by Perry Como and Bing Crosby in 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 7-inch, on silver vinyl, is packaged with the limited-edition 10th anniversary deluxe reissue of \u003ci\u003eA Very She \u0026amp; Him Christmas \u003c\/i\u003e(which is sold out in the Merge store, but ask for it at your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/viewer?mid=1k3mO8LpqPGOoBeBO7uObU4DQCenwlELk\u0026amp;ll=46.271081774555796%2C-71.00142125\u0026amp;z=2\"\u003elocal indie record shop\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739245900087,"sku":"MRG774digital","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/5609871f726cb725a12c929d665457808e1abce9_6bd8f2d0b5eee13c6f745b56c2a8cd66d9bdf8ab_medium_jpg_249127cf-1d82-4b0a-9315-4151f8110d11.jpg?v=1789600515"},{"product_id":"hiss-golden-messenger-o-come-all-ye-faithful","title":"Hiss Golden Messenger - O Come All Ye Faithful","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);\"\u003eConceptualized and written during the chaotic fall months of 2020, \u003ci\u003eO Come All Ye Faithful \u003c\/i\u003eis a meditation on grace, loss, hope, and community. 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I wanted to make a seasonal record that felt more in step with the way that I, and so many others, experience this time of year: quiet, contemplative, searching, and bittersweet.” Taylor adds, “The intention was to make a seasonal record with vibe.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eO Come All Ye Faithful \u003c\/i\u003efeatures three new songs written by Taylor, traditional classics, and new renditions of “Shine a Light” by Spiritualized, “As Long As I Can See the Light” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and “Hanukkah Dance” by Woody Guthrie, all arranged in the distinctive Hiss Golden Messenger style.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (Bone\/Green\/Red Tri-Color)","offer_id":52739246588215,"sku":"MRG775lp-C1","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Bone\/Green\/Red Splatter)","offer_id":52739246620983,"sku":"MRG775LP","price":23.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739246653751,"sku":"MRG775CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739246686519,"sku":"MRG775digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/04aea857c5fcfd174f33bffaa69297355b7b3973_2b317ecb2c226febb96659f0b809f6b2d22fc669_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382154"},{"product_id":"hiss-golden-messenger-devotion-songs-about-rivers-and-spirits-and-children","title":"Hiss Golden Messenger - Devotion: Songs About Rivers and Spirits and Children","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded in:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/aquariumdrunkard.com\/2018\/12\/12\/aquarium-drunkard-2018-year-in-review\/\"\u003eAquarium Drunkard's 2018 Year in Review\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis limited-edition deluxe 4-CD\/4-LP box set includes remastered reissues of three classic \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hiss-golden-messenger\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHiss Golden Messenger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e albums—\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hiss-golden-messenger-bad-debt-remastered\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBad Debt\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hiss-golden-messenger-poor-moon-remastered\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePoor Moon\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hiss-golden-messenger-haw-remastered\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eHaw\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e—plus \u003ci\u003eVirgo Fool\u003c\/i\u003e, a\u003cstrong\u003e bonus album of Hiss rarities available physically only with this collection\u003c\/strong\u003e. The iconographic artwork for each individual album as well as the box set and poster were designed in close collaboration between M.C. Taylor and artist Sam Smith to shed new light on this vital chapter in the Hiss Golden Messenger story. Each reissue features newly penned liner notes by Amanda Petrusich (\u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e), with John Mulvey (\u003ci\u003eUncut, MOJO\u003c\/i\u003e) providing the essay for \u003ci\u003eVirgo Fool\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIndividually numbered in a one-time pressing of 2,200 of each format, the four-album set is housed in a beautiful \u003cstrong\u003ecloth-wrapped slipcase with three-color foil detailing\u003c\/strong\u003e and includes an \u003cstrong\u003eexclusive foldout poster\u003c\/strong\u003e. Each CD is packaged with liner notes and complete lyrics inside a mini-gatefold wallet with a debossed cover. Each LP, pressed on black vinyl, includes a two-sided insert with liner notes and full lyrics plus a download card, all inside a heavyweight jacket with a debossed cover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Signed LP Box Set","offer_id":52996577329463,"sku":"MRG655LP","price":119.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD Box Set","offer_id":52996577263927,"sku":"MRG655CD","price":54.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/09c4652d30b5daf8f636960c05eee07ebdf4ce6c_077ff007a1ab3b3ca39ef989735c887a04e6c5b5_medium_jpg_dfd82fa3-c9ae-4029-9997-1c3469e3f921.jpg?v=1789587563"},{"product_id":"she-him-a-very-she-him-christmas","title":"She \u0026 Him - A Very She \u0026 Him Christmas","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Very She \u0026amp; Him Christmas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e is a wonderful collection of holiday tunes from two of music’s most beloved artists: \u003cstrong\u003eZooey Deschanel \u003c\/strong\u003e(She) \u0026amp; \u003cstrong\u003eM. Ward\u003c\/strong\u003e (Him). Inspired by seminal holiday albums by the likes of The Carpenters, Vince Guaraldi, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley and more, \u003cstrong\u003eShe \u0026amp; Him\u003c\/strong\u003e have created an intimate holiday recording of Christmas classics that helps bring new emotions out of old songs. Recorded in Los Angeles and NYC at various points in 2011, \u003ci\u003eA Very She \u0026amp; Him Christmas\u003c\/i\u003e sees the duo stepping back slightly from the layered, lush aesthetic of their critically acclaimed second album, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/she-him-volume-two\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eVolume Two\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. Deschanel and Ward let the songs speak for themselves, oftentimes recording them with only acoustic guitar and vocals. Consistent in everything are the elements that have made She \u0026amp; Him one of the most loved bands of the past few years—Deschanel’s soulful vocal delivery and Ward’s impressive guitar work, both sounding as timeless as ever. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA portion of the proceeds of this album will continue to go to \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/826national.org\/\"\u003e826 National\u003c\/a\u003e, a writing and tutoring non-profit for children.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52740189094199,"sku":"MRG424LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52740189126967,"sku":"MRG424CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cassette","offer_id":52740189192503,"sku":"MRG424CASS-C1","price":12.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52740189061431,"sku":"MRG424digital","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/3e356dfeeae850fb1457686ee885d6b30051a065_ae92dfef35b12fd6e67d4fa4a1ec1b04b0fedfdb_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1789600269"},{"product_id":"superchunk-wintry-mix-ep","title":"Superchunk - Wintry Mix EP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(220, 9, 9);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/collections\/superchunk\" style=\"color: rgb(220, 9, 9);\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuperchunk\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is embracing the holiday season in style with \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWintry Mix\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, a five track EP which, true to its title, brings together a \u003cstrong\u003eSuperchunk holiday original\u003c\/strong\u003e —“The Shortest Day of the Year (No Tinsel Mix)\"--covers of holiday hitmakers Wham!, and indie luminaries The Magnetic Fields and Galaxie 500. Pressed on white vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWintry Mix\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e will be ready to unwrap in time for your vinyl-only Christmas party, but is strictly limited to 500 copies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMac McCaughan\u003c\/strong\u003e on \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWintry Mix\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuperchunk has recorded songs for Summer, songs for Halloween, and songs for Winter holidays as well. I see these seasonal songs as a fun puzzle to solve — writing a song or finding a cover in the same theme that so many artists have investigated in the past, and finding a way to put our own stamp on it. Getting to record five songs for our Wintry Mix EP gave us more room than usual  to stretch out. The version of our own tune (\"Shortest Day of The Year\") on the 7-inch is more rock \/ less explicitly \"Christmas-y\" than the other version. Beyond that we got to explore the genius of Wham!, The Magnetic Fields, and Galaxie 500...light a fire and crank it up!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merge Records","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl (White)","offer_id":53515600855351,"sku":"MRG900LP-C1","price":21.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Download","offer_id":53515600888119,"sku":"MRG900digital","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/mrg900_superchunk_wintrymix_3600.jpg?v=1793826818"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/collections\/2026_holidaybanner_1650x595_50c07a2c-4f58-4685-9856-e1675731673a.jpg?v=1794253982","url":"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/collections\/sounds-of-the-season.oembed","provider":"Merge Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}