Knifeplay – “A Long December” (Counting Crows Cover)

Selfishly as a listener, last year was better than this year from a Knifeplay stan perspective, as the dreamy, Philly-based experimental Philly rockers released one of 2022’s best breakthroughs (and best albums of the year) with their debut LP, Animal Drowning. 2024 is looking better, starting with the east coast version of Nothing’s Slide Away fest, and perhaps a sophomore follow-up? Let’s hope. For now, Knifeplay are celebrating tradition — one which many a new listener were introduced to last year — with the release of their annual holiday album, For the Holidays, with proceeds benefitting Broad Street Ministry. It quietly began in 2019 and annually grows by one track of new indie standards for the season such as the kindled, desolate company of last year’s “Is it Snowing, Wherever You Are?”. The 2023 edition breaks its pattern of originals, but even going with familiarity, the band make it their own in covering Counting Crows’ California wintertime classic “Long December”, transforming nights up in the Canyon and Hollywood through their cold weather air. It sounds like a slow waltz for a first snow fall backed by strummed guitars and gentle bells as Tj Strohmer guides each flake’s path down to ground. Take this as a reason to believe that 2024 will be better than the last…

Knifeplay’s For the Holidays is available now until January 1st. All proceeds will benefit Broad Street Ministry.