The New York City-based band The High Plains Drifters may cop their moniker from an old movie, but their sound is thoroughly contemporary. It’s cut from an individualistic cloth, as well. Their 2019 debut release served the indie music world notice that lead vocalist and lyrical mastermind Larry Studnicky and his cohorts resolved to chase their own idea of musical glory rather than pursuing a mirage. Their second release, an EP entitled Songs of Love and Loss, built on the debut in a big way without jettisoning their rapidly evolving identity.
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The High Plains Drifters’ new single “Alone on Christmas Day”, its music penned by producer Greg Cohen and band members John Macorn and Mike DoCampo, builds on the band’s budding tradition of Christmas-themed fare. It likewise provides listeners with the first salvo from The Drifters’ forthcoming EP featuring this track and their earlier holiday tracks as well as an outstanding music video promoting the single.
The promotional clip for “Alone on Christmas Day” has several comedic flashpoints that the song does not possess. The video’s central figure, the object of lead singer Larry Studnicky’s thwarted desire, reels through a roll call of potential suitors as well as their strengths and weaknesses, usually humorous in tone. The Drifters couple this with “reports” of Santa Claus’ death. It strikes an interesting contrast with the song’s tone – neither is particularly serious, but the latter isn’t as outright funny as the accompanying clip.
Listeners will love the crisp drumming present throughout the performance. It sets a tone from the outset that listeners will be glad to follow. Studnicky’s singing is a little mannered, especially considering the song’s subject matter, but it does communicate a definable personality and he finds a wealth of variation in the phrasing. Some listeners may long for him to embody more of the desire the song professes, but it isn’t a fatal flaw.
There are electric and acoustic guitars alike heard throughout the arrangement. The former takes obvious prominence, however, while the acoustic contributions are much more low-key and scattered in comparison. It does help flesh out the composition. Greg Cohen’s producer role is the final icing on this delectable cake. You can’t help but applaud how he seamlessly integrates the song’s assorted elements into a coherent and always entertaining whole.
Mixing Studnicky’s voice with two male and one female backing vocalist is a nice touch as well. The supporting singing isn’t a prevalent part of the cut, but contrasting two male voices with a woman’s voice makes for a nice mix. It’s small but important details such as this that help set “Alone on Christmas Day” apart from similar efforts released this time each year. The High Plains Drifters are now responsible for one of the most satisfying seasonal efforts in recent memory and it bodes well for their increasingly bright future.
This is a band you’ll want to follow and keep your eyes on. They’re talented, personable, and clearly committed to refining and even perfecting their chosen art.
Garth Thomas