Tom Smith of Editors and Andy Burrows once of Razorlight and now I Am Arrows have been friends for years. And, rather sweetly, both share a love of the classic Christmas songs and a fascination with the idea of Christmas records of the past, good and bad. Funny looking angels aspires to be the kind of album that goes on after Christmas lunch for a singalong and a slump on the sofa as the wintry weather peeks through the windows.
A mix of original tracks and covers chosen because they remind the protagonists of Christmas in direct or oblique ways, the album features vocals from both Tom and Andy and an eclectic choice of cover versions from Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ and Black’s ‘Wonderful Life’ (which they performed together some years previously) to The Longpigs ‘On and On’ and cult Birmingham band Delta’s ‘Funny Looking Angels’, which also gave them their album title and is an affectionate nod from Tom to his formative musical years in the city.
The album also features a guest vocal from rising star Agnes Obel, already a major name in mainland Europe, in duet with Tom on the closing track, a sumptuous version of ‘The Christmas Song’.
Complete with Christmas style backing vocals and strings, jingle bells and lyrical references to winter and Christmas it could be an instant yuletide classic. And we have a free download of the title track right here!
