Christmas, but not as you know it

MUSIC NEWS:It may only be mid-October, but music fans won't have much of a choice about getting into the Christmas spirit early this year.

That said, there'll be more on offer to fans of indie and alternative music than the traditional cheesy fare and rush-releases of X Factorsongs. Ash's Tim Wheeler and his girlfriend, British folk-pop artist Emmy the Great, are one of several collaborative acts to team up for the festive season. They'll release This is Christmason November 18th, a collection of nine original songs and a cover of Darlene Love's Marshmallow World, taken from Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift for Youalbum.

Editors frontman Tom Smith has also teamed up with former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows for a Christmas album. Funny Looking Angelsis released on November 25th and will feature songs loosely tied to the festive season.