December - football:radio - Rock my coffee

Here comes one that will most probably be a tad bit biased, for I love this band and the humans behind it. That being said I love music more but thankfully, December has proven yet another time that these feelings ain’t incompatible. At all.

Their new album football:radio, compiling their very own versions of twelve U2 songs, is out on November 2.

If you’re familiar with the band, you know the saying : “if there’s a U2 song I don’t click with or one I don’t like that’s fine. I’ll just wait for December to cover it”. Yeah. They’re that good, and honestly they reconciled me with quite a few tunes over the years.

For those of you who don’t know them – it’s your lucky day.

December is a band from Glasgow, Scotland influenced by U2 and Bruce Springsteen mostly, but their sound definitely suggests a lot more. You’ll find Ails on vocals – and you’re never ready for it trust me – Paul (guitars, vocals) and Scott (guitars). Talented musicians and even better human beings which makes it all the more special.

I first heard about them back in 2015, when they showed up out of thin air on U2 twitter bringing the best soundwaves along with their single ‘Alison Stewart’, dedicated to Bono’s better half, Ali. What a tune. What a feeling. And what a beautiful sentiment that song was with all proceeds going towards Irish charity Chernobyl Children International, an organization close to activist Ali’s heart.

They brought a true light to the community of U2 fans then, and I never could have imagined how enduring it would be too. Gradually, but with no hesitation, they became part of that chosen family and they’ve never let me down. HA. Man. I’ll let Scott take the wheel for a minute about this new project before I start sobbing at my own words – cringe jo. CRINGE.

“We’ve been on this kind of mad journey now where we almost felt compelled to say thank you to U2 for the difference their music has made in our lives,” he reflected, “U2 were always brave, always planted a flag of new direction each time they reinvented themselves, none more so than with the release of The Unforgettable Fire. They’ve been an inspiration and example to us all of our lives and this whole project has been a kind of hamfisted thank you I guess!” – Scott

It’s never your usual covers with this band and never was. It’s truly been a heart thing for as long as I can remember. Hell, there are some of their takes that I love more than the originals. Sorry Bono but go take a listen to their version of ‘A Sort of Homecoming‘ and come tell me I’m wrong. If that’s any comfort, it should be every artist’s goal to inspire and that’s a legacy December definitely took on. A heart thing always. And this new album is no different in that sense, even more so, it’s a fan’s heart thing through and through.

Never thought ‘MLK’ could be an opener – but it actually works brilliantly. Tweaking that sound and turning a prayer into a vow of things to come. Epic things to come. Easing you into a world holding the promise of dreams being realized. Ails’ voice always takes the lead and transports you. And that’s a journey I’ll never get tired of.

The whole album is full of surprises and I’ll keep the spoilers light – unless absolutely necessary, because yes you need to be ready for those – but overall, you can hear what December does best. Unifying brilliantly the thin line between music creativity and a fans’ tribute. Football:radio brings a fresh perspective and a new kick to songs most people have long forgotten – if not for the U2 die-hards who upon hearing December’s take on some of those will probably secretly wish they sounded like that in the first place – ‘Luminous Times’ ? Hello?! It’s never too late to bop to a song seemingly – thanks guys.

With a Shout(out) will show you that reinvention can DEFINITELY be a good thing. That song always sounded to me like altar boys (probably on speed or some shit) playing punk rock – which doesn’t mean it sounds bad per se, just. Yeah. You get it.

Well December knows the good stuff and turned that one around completely by bringing out the big guitars and turning this one into a gritty dirty anthem. Woosh. WOOSH. Who knew Scotland could bring the heat like that, proper fire vibes all around.

The whole album is beautifully produced, and if I dare say even sounds better than their previous re-collection of U2 songs released in 2017, entitled “33”. Oh my, how you’ve grown. Production is seamless and just flows like any great album should. And if you listen close enough, you’ll hear the whole u2 world in those sounds. Songs within songs – was it deliberate or is it just that fan’s heart taking over again? Ha. Who knows. I hear all kinds of things when it comes to these guys and all I know for sure is that I’m craving for more.

Experience isn’t the only gain here, December has never been the kind of band to shy away from challenges but Football:Radio is definitely on another level – fearless.

The guts to take on monuments of rock music like ‘With or Without You‘ or ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For‘ and NAILING IT? That fact only should convince you to give this album a listen. We know those classics back and forth, tears were shed, plates were broken, epiphanies were had. You see what I mean. We all have our memories when it comes to those – casual fans or die hard – and yet you’ll be surprised how December manages to dust off our feelings and renew that connection we have with them.

Renewed connections that will bring more than a smile on your face, but that simple joy music provides. I could go on and on about all the moments that made me smirk softly, the few tears compelled to fall and the proper laughs at the incredulous magic they pulled on on some of those songs, but I’ll let you hear it all by yourself. It’s a musical journey right? You’ll be glad as always these guys are part of it.

Never your usual covers. Ha. Glad that these Scottish love to prove me right every time.

This album is as much a December album as a U2 covers one. Hell, I even hate using the word covers for those because they’re really not. Reinterpretations? Maybe. Reinventions? That too. Their best one yet? Might well be honestly.

Truth is, some of those songs will gently take you by the hand down memory lane, and others will jump at your throat by surprise – in a good way, it’s a thing I swear. But eventually, it’s in the details that you’ll hear December soft touch the most, and that’s how they’re making these interpretations their own – truly and boldly, but always with a lot of care and love.

A beautiful tribute to the band of their lives in their own voice. Well worth a few (hundreds) listen. Congrats guys, and may that light endures for many many years to come.

Eternally yours (fan) always.

(And these other guys too.)