Album Essentials: JD McPherson - "Socks"

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

When it comes to contemporary Christmas albums, it's hard to outdo JD McPherson's 'Socks.' On his 2018 release, the retro rocker channels all his vintage rock and roll influences, and molds them into something contemporary and revivalist at the same time, but most importantly, it's a hell of a lot of fun! 

McPherson, in general, is a perfect example of time being incidental. This record could be a lost artifact from 1959, it could be a hidden gem from the post punk wave of bands like the Blasters, or it could have been recorded yesterday and released today. It's all about the songs and the spirit, something this has overflowing in both. 

McPherson's choice to write and record all new Christmas songs was a stroke of genius. Instead of trotting out tunes from the same old book of standards, he and the ace band dish out a platter of new tunes for your holiday listening pleasure.  

'Ugly Sweater Blues,' 'Hey Skinny Santa!,' 'Santa's Got A Mean Machine' and ‘Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy’ all stand as contemporary gems, that capture the season with a sense of humor as well. 

Who knows, perhaps over the coming years, 'Socks' will become a standard seasonal favorite. We're gonna gamble the years to come, and label it as Essential now!