“Just Like Xmas (Love Is War)” is a vulnerable holiday song. This emotive work, from Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps is uncompromising. Frosty lyrics and an exceptional music bed, the icing on the cake is Tikka’s indie-rocker vocals. He’s a born front man and this pop rock tune could just be the indie radio sleeper hit of 2020. After a few listens, the nuances and unveiling of an artist with a tender heart awaken something in the listener. Tikka’s the holiday whisperer we never thought we needed.
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A guitarist since the age of six, Tikka’s main influence at that age was hearing Paul Anka’s “Lonely Boy” in his father’s Chevy. He brings that same imagery and life-experience into his work. After forming several bands over the years, including Carmen Gray and Josie Award Winning The Impersonators (with poet Antti Autio), Tikka’s latest project has produced Working Class Voodoo (three-track EP) and Insane (five-track EP). Both are from MTS Records.
Tikka always gives the reader a look into his feelings. The tapestry of lyrics and his unrivaled music bed in “Just Like Xmas (Love Is War)” almost makes the listener feel guilty for being so entertained and so taken with the sound. It’s a sonic pleasure, indeed, but it’s one that chases you after each listen. The acoustic guitar work is clever, and it doesn’t exactly stand out the first time you spin the song. You have to let it marinate, and breathe a little. Then it really comes out like a fine wine. You can isolate his playing. The same can be said for the piano bed. It’s classical sounding. Propper. Tikka adds an importance to its emotional tone and the weight the piano carries piles up by the song’s end. I think it represents his beating heart. He’s broken. The piano keys have a dance to them, it starts out slow. Stuttering at times.
Another lonely heartache, he sings. Santa ain’t real, he sings, as if he were stating it in defiance. Love letters in the sand, he sings, recalling a past love. Tikka sings in the range of a coffee-shop singer that has the full attention of the entire barista staff and a café full of customers. All eyes on him and the room is waiting for his next words. I don’t want to pigeon-hole him as a folk singer or singer/songwriter because I think there are many, many more onion layers to this song. With each listen, a new chance to bury yourself into each. The guitar is just as gentle, the piano just as orchestrated. A mind shift, an attitude change and the song begins to shine like the sun coming out on a very gray day. Some chattering horns, a boastful drum – a symphony of sounds start to collide. I guess you could say it starts to feel like Christmas morning.
I was more than pleasantly surprised with “Just Like Xmas (Love Is War)”. I appreciated Tikka’s genuine attitude. I’m looking forward to hearing more from him and this song definitely touched me in an unexpected way.
Kim Muncie