It’s hard to believe The Unthanks haven’t released a winter holidays album until now, but it was worth the wait. It’s apparently been on their to-do list for at least 15 years, which would explain the amazing track list on this generous double LP / double CD of 19 songs lasting nearly an hour and a quarter. On In Winter you’ll find old favorites, obscure traditional songs from rural villages, and some created by The Unthanks in traditional style. All of course featuring the unique vocal stylings of Rachel and Becky Unthank, and especially the divine harmonies of the sisters and their bandmates.
I’m not a big follower of The Unthanks, mostly preferring their rare all vocal outings, but In Winter is a very congenial album for fans of English style Christmas songs, whether traditional carols or more folk derived offerings. This has both in generous measure. “A dream-like winter fantasia, embracing both the dark and the light in the most ritualistic of seasons,” is the way their publicity describes it, and that fits quite well. Many of the tracks flow together, either segueing directly or with atmospheric ambient sounds filling the brief space between them.
My three favorite of the Christmastime songs are the traditional “Gower Wassail” and “Carol Of The Beasts,” and “Dark December” by Middlesbrough folk singer Graeme Miles. All three of these feature powerful eight piece bands and eschew the piano usually played by regular band member and arranger Adrian McNally. On these three he plays drums, and is joined by band members Niopha Keegan on violin and Chris Price on guitars, with guest Will Hammond on harmonium. And the most fun song overall is the oddly named “Tar Barrel in Dale,” an a capella New Year’s song inspired by a wild sounding traditional celebration in the titular village. The multi-part harmonies here are sublime.
There are several very familiar songs here, all of them done in special arrangements by The Unthanks: “The Holly And The Ivy,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “In The Bleak Midwinter,” “Coventry Carol,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” The arrangement of “Coventry Carol” in particular stands out for me. The band wrote new lyrics paying tribute to the National Health Service (“Nurse Emmanuel”) and set them to the tune of “O Holy Night,” with McNally singing lead. Another particularly strong arrangement (very droning and jazzy) is “River River,” written by Becky Unthank with her partner Ainslie Henderson, inspired by the river near their Northumberland home. And the multi-part harmonies and pop touches on “O Tannenbaum” really do give it a feel of something off of a Beach Boys Christmas album — if the Beach Boys were from Tyneside rather than sunny SoCal.
In Winter has something for all fans of winter holiday music and English folk song. Don’t hesitate to add this one to your holiday playlist.
(RabbleRouser Music, 2024)
