For a band that’s already released one album this year and is enjoying a rather fine musical and creative resurgence the idea of a Christmas album just seems one step too far. To be perfectly honest the idea of anyone doing a Christmas album has always struck me as a little unhinged (though try telling that to either Jimmy Lea, Noddy Holder or Roy Wood who clean up in royalties at this time of year). So bearing in mind at least one eye must be on the anticipated yule-tide windfall is it any good? Are there any originals that will live on the see 2018?
The decision I’m afraid is split – whilst opener ‘Merry Christmas Darlings’ is the best of the original trio here its not going to be a song we play for our decedents every festive season and comparatively it just doesn’t have the solid gold chorus of tracks like Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ or Roy Wood’s Wizard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’ which really are the highlights of everyone’s Christmas. Elsewhere the song selection is solid from the balladic Nilsson ‘Remember Christmas’ to the bluesy take on Charles Brown’s ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’ and the ubiquitous ‘Run Rudolph Run’ by Chuck Berry.
Throw in some Kinks and Ramones and you’ve probably got the best Christmas album ever. The only deviation from the party is a rather traditional version of ‘Silent Night’ not that it’s bad just rather out of place amongst the rockier fare and as such probably better to close proceedings, though such a gripe I feel would be rather like complaining about being given a second helping of roast potatoes on the big day…
