Back in the beginning of the year, we meant to feature Parralox's Holiday '19 album. Now it is May, and we just remembered that we never did it! D'oh! Better late than never, as we always say!
Holiday '19 is the 6th album in the Holiday series. What is the Holiday series? Since 2014, Parralox has released an album near the end of each year mostly made up of cover songs. However, sometimes the songs are original. Most of the songs do not have a seasonal holiday theme, but there have been a few. Some albums are long, while others have been short. You can check out our reviews of the past 5 Holiday albums here ...
For the latest Holiday album, it is all cover versions. Here is our track-by-track review of Holiday '19:
1. "Lucretia My Relection" was originally recorded by The Sisters Of Mercy in 1988.
We didn't know the original, but it was a Top 20 song in the UK. Parralox's version has John on lead vocals, and he gives a great vocal performance. We like it.
2. "Human" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1986.
This very well-known song was a #1 hit for the Human League in America and Canada. Parralox gives a very faithful cover with John and Louise on vocals.
3. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" was originally recorded by Tubeway Army in 1979.
This was also a #1 song for Tubeway Army in the UK in 1979. It was part of the electronic music revolution that would heavily influence 80s music and beyond. You might be most familiar with the music as the original version was sampled by producer Richard X for the Sugababes 2002 UK #1 hit "Freak Like Me." Now, back to Parralox's version. We absolutely love this and keep playing it over and over. Louise is on lead vocals and she is just simply an amazing singer. She always makes everything sound so cool and effortless.
4. "Heart Like A Wheel" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1990.
While not a huge hit for the Human League, it is a classic song from the band's catalog. Parralox really capture the magic of this song by giving it an extended mix. The music has gorgeous layer and layers of synths. John and Louise turn out another fantastic performance.
5. "True Faith" was originally recorded by New Order in 1987.
This song was a worldwide hit for New Order. It has been covered by many artists, including the late George Michael. John takes the lead on this one it is a great remake.
6. "Life Kills" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1980.
We must admit, Parralox is schooling us on Human League tracks that were released before their 1981 breakthrough album Dare! John sings this one.
7. "Duel" was originally recorded by Propaganda in 1985.
We weren't familiar with this song or the German group. So it is like a brand new song for us. Louise takes the lead. We just listened to a lot of Missing Persons songs, so this is giving us those vibes. Very good!
8. "Pet Sematary" was originally recorded by the Ramones in 1989.
Of course, the Ramons song was the theme for the Stephen King movie by the same name. We didn't think that we would hear Parralox covering the Ramons, but it works quite well as a synth pop song with John on vocals.
8. "But Not Tonight" was originally recorded by Depeche Mode in 1986.
This was not a Depeche Mode song we were familiar with as it was the b-side to their song "Stripped" in 1986. However, it was also the theme song to a romantic comedy called Modern Girls. Louise takes the lead on this one, which slows the pace down and it becomes a lovely way to end the album.
Overall, this a great collection of songs. Sorry it took so long for us to review it, but better late than never. Now, if you would like to hear an album of original Parralox songs, then check out our review of their latest album Genesis. We are still waiting for the first single to surface for that album.
You can hear Holiday '19 on Spotify below, but please buy the songs on digital outlets so that Parralox can keep churning out the tunes for us!
We've also added some of these songs to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear some songs from their album Genesis there, too.
Cheers then,
—Davearama
P.S. Please follow Parralox and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...
Parralox
Bandcamp
Facebook
Instagram
Parralox's Official Site
SoundCloud
Twitter
YouTube
A Poptastic Confessions Interview with John von Ahlen of Parralox in 2015
Poptastic Confessions
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Poptastic Confessions 8th Anniversary
Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!
For the latest Holiday album, it is all cover versions. Here is our track-by-track review of Holiday '19:
1. "Lucretia My Relection" was originally recorded by The Sisters Of Mercy in 1988.
We didn't know the original, but it was a Top 20 song in the UK. Parralox's version has John on lead vocals, and he gives a great vocal performance. We like it.
2. "Human" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1986.
This very well-known song was a #1 hit for the Human League in America and Canada. Parralox gives a very faithful cover with John and Louise on vocals.
3. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" was originally recorded by Tubeway Army in 1979.
This was also a #1 song for Tubeway Army in the UK in 1979. It was part of the electronic music revolution that would heavily influence 80s music and beyond. You might be most familiar with the music as the original version was sampled by producer Richard X for the Sugababes 2002 UK #1 hit "Freak Like Me." Now, back to Parralox's version. We absolutely love this and keep playing it over and over. Louise is on lead vocals and she is just simply an amazing singer. She always makes everything sound so cool and effortless.
4. "Heart Like A Wheel" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1990.
While not a huge hit for the Human League, it is a classic song from the band's catalog. Parralox really capture the magic of this song by giving it an extended mix. The music has gorgeous layer and layers of synths. John and Louise turn out another fantastic performance.
5. "True Faith" was originally recorded by New Order in 1987.
This song was a worldwide hit for New Order. It has been covered by many artists, including the late George Michael. John takes the lead on this one it is a great remake.
6. "Life Kills" was originally recorded by the Human League in 1980.
We must admit, Parralox is schooling us on Human League tracks that were released before their 1981 breakthrough album Dare! John sings this one.
7. "Duel" was originally recorded by Propaganda in 1985.
We weren't familiar with this song or the German group. So it is like a brand new song for us. Louise takes the lead. We just listened to a lot of Missing Persons songs, so this is giving us those vibes. Very good!
8. "Pet Sematary" was originally recorded by the Ramones in 1989.
Of course, the Ramons song was the theme for the Stephen King movie by the same name. We didn't think that we would hear Parralox covering the Ramons, but it works quite well as a synth pop song with John on vocals.
8. "But Not Tonight" was originally recorded by Depeche Mode in 1986.
This was not a Depeche Mode song we were familiar with as it was the b-side to their song "Stripped" in 1986. However, it was also the theme song to a romantic comedy called Modern Girls. Louise takes the lead on this one, which slows the pace down and it becomes a lovely way to end the album.
Overall, this a great collection of songs. Sorry it took so long for us to review it, but better late than never. Now, if you would like to hear an album of original Parralox songs, then check out our review of their latest album Genesis. We are still waiting for the first single to surface for that album.
You can hear Holiday '19 on Spotify below, but please buy the songs on digital outlets so that Parralox can keep churning out the tunes for us!
We've also added some of these songs to our 2020 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear some songs from their album Genesis there, too.
Cheers then,
—Davearama
P.S. Please follow Parralox and Poptastic Confessions on social media ...
Parralox
Bandcamp
Parralox's Official Site
SoundCloud
YouTube
A Poptastic Confessions Interview with John von Ahlen of Parralox in 2015
Poptastic Confessions
Poptastic Confessions 8th Anniversary
Please like and share our links so that more people hear and buy the music!
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