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Weekly Reviews For 3 December, 2006

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I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk

I was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

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Various - A Santa Cause Vol 2: It's A Punk Rock Christmas

You won't be surprised to learn that this is the cunningly titled follow up to 'A Santa Cause Vol 1'. This time you're getting 22 US alternative acts chundering through a variety of new and old Christmas tunes.

Being American bands they've a fairly liberal interpretation of punk but if you are looking for something other than your secret Daniel O'Donnell collection to play you could find pleasure in the likes of The Format - "Holly Jolly Christmas", Spitalfield - "It's Cold Out There", Hot Rod Circuit - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)", The Finals - "Last Christmas" and MC Lars - "Gary The Green Nosed Raindeer".

Like most compilations it veers from the brilliant to the bilesome but, lord knows, it beats The Best Christmas Album In The World Ever Ever Exclusive To Tesco into a cocked Santa hat.

Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas


Just when you thought you'd seen everything, the thud behind the letterbox heralds the arrival of a Twisted Sister Christmas album. Yes, really.

Now I've been a card carrying SMF since '82 but sometimes you can go too far, even in the over the top world of Twisted Sister. On the plus side they haven't tried to write new Xmas songs, sticking to the classics. But there is some unmitigated shite here.

But it is the season of goodwill, so let's look for the pearls. 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful' is played to the tune of 'We're Not Gonna Take It', they drag Doro in for a bilingual butchering of 'White Christmas' which is so beyond awful that it comes nearly full circle. Somehow they've persuaded Lita Ford out of retirement to sing on 'I'll Be Home For Christmas', but hopefully they don't have electricity on her island paradise.

The SMF sound returns for 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus', a sentence I could never have conceived of writing even in my worst drug fuelled paranoid attack. They take a War Pigs approach to 'Let It Snow' - please, let me go, I'm a good boy, I am.

If you get really, really drunk, invite your drunkest rocker friends over, get them drunker than they've ever been then play them the metal 12 days of Christmas, a good time is assured. Which is probably the point.

Three Days Wait - Star Of Bethlehem

And the out and out winners in this years Christmas special are Christian rockers Three Days Wait who have put together an enthralling set of new songs reaffirming the real message of Christmas.

Working in the classic rock idiom of Dave Matthews Band and Collective Soul, these are songs that will be a pleasure to listen to at any time of the year. There's a funky Spin Doctors type vibe to a lot of the material topped off wih the rich voice of Nathan Wagner.

They jump genres sometimes with the delightful and self explanatory 'Snow Blues' and 'Blue Grass Christmas' and deftly drop some traditional lyrical motifs into some of th songs to aid assimilation.

A delightful record.

Tami Briggs - The Christmas Story +

Tami Briggs is a therapeutic harpist who has put out a large selection of music through her Musical Reflections label.

She believes that the harp creates an ethereal effect of relaxation and comfort. Now I know what you're going to say. "Mr Zee, aren't you a fully paid up member of the foot up the arse guild?" Why yes I am, gentle reader, but this is part of my Christmas music special and I'm going with a spiritual flow here.

Ms Briggs is an outstanding harpist, no question, and this telling of the Christmas story is delightful, full as it is of well known tunes.

I've also heard her collection of hymns, 'My Peace I Give You' and the lengthy, self penned music on 'Blessings To You'. The latter is particularly fine, but if this is your bag, then leap in, you'll love it.

Rita di Ghent - The Standards Sessions 1 +

I'm actually reviewing a rather splendid album of standards but as Rita sneaked a Christmas single in the bundle, she gets the dubious honour of featuring in my Xmas roundup!

And you'll be pleased to know it's a tremendous version of one of my favourites 'You're A Mean One Mr Grinch', done in fine after hours style. Coupled with a 'Holiday Groove' medley, it's guaranteed to add some mood to your holidays.

But on to the main course - 'The Standard Session 1' - an encouraging title, considering how good this is. And the good news continues as I spy the sleeve of Volume 2 in the liner.

Modestly she includes one of her own songs but it's the fresh take on some well known material that makes this so enjoyable. Take a spin through 'You Go To My Head' or 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' if my word isn't good enough. Gits. But really, Rita is a rare talent, so get to know her.

Dr Alexander Nicolas - Merry Christmas


We established last time out that he's not a medical doctor and that there is some poor programmed percussion on the go. Neither of these have been fixed, so let's look at what is good.

He remains an excellent smooth jazz saxophonist and has taken a joyous approach to his selection of Christmas classics. Although the highlight proves to be a straight take on 'O Tannenbaum', something Homeland Security will b taking an interest in, given its Communist affiliation!

'White Christmas' and 'Silent Night' also fare well, and if you get past the percussion better than me, you'll find much to enjoy.