Rather remarkably, the Glaswegian indie popsters have one overriding musical influence: Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift to You album from 1963. Once they had got the trivial matter of their debut album out of the way earlier this year, they set about the real business of recording their own Christmas release. Unfortunately, this hasn't been released as a stand-alone product; it's only available as a two-CD pack along with their debut.

Relocating to Transylvania, Glasvegas recorded six original festive songs, but you get an impression early on that these aren't going to be traditional "peace and goodwill to all men" affairs. The subtle clue is a song called Fuck You, It's Over. Said song is a stunning Jesus and Mary Chain meets a very hungover The Supremes wall of catchy guitar noise. Singer James Allan surpasses himself here, bellowing out the uncharitable sentiments as if his life depended on it. It is the humbug Christmas song of all time.

Elsewhere, Cruel Moon sounds like an off-cut from Suede's majestic Dog Man Star, all reverb piano and yearning vocals. The sleigh bells and layers of synth sounds give it a foreboding feel that borders on the creepy. But good creepy.

The title track is a Fairytale of New Yorksentiment wrapped up in a mournful piano ballad, with a ghostly falsetto coming in and out. It's the jarring lyrical sentiment put against the festive sounding music that really impacts.

The final track, a cover of Silent Nightfeaturing a local Romanian choir, puts an added emotional squeeze on the original: Allen's bruised and hurt vocal is set against the choristers more traditional take on the song. Unsettling? Yes. Superb? Double yes. www.glasvegas.net

Download tracks: Fuck You, It's Over, A Snowflake Fell