Customer Reviews

Christmas With the Smithereens

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It seems like every season we come to accept the force-fed nostalgia of Christmas originals we've heard a zillion times or worse, treacly covers of these same done by "contemporary" artists (you know who you are - paging Sting,Celine and you "American Idols"). Not since Ray Davies and the Kinks snuck "Father Christmas" under our proverbial tree has a set of holiday tracks rocked this hard -- and good.

What if there was a Christmas record that you actually wanted to listen to for more than just teary-eyed nostalgia? Sure, there's nostalgia here with the boy's own covers of Chuck Berry, Elvis, Ramones, and Beach Boys Christmas tunes. But there are also some nice originals and surprises: a cover of the Who's "Tommy" set piece and their own take on the Beatle-fan-club-only "O.U.T. spells out" Christmas sing along. All this and great guitar riffs, thumpin' bass, killer drumming, and a chance to hear Pat and the other Smithereens show off their vocal chops.

If you are a Smithereens fan, or just a fan of great straightforward pop a la the aforementioned Kinks, the Who, Beach Boys, Phil Spector, etc. you will enjoy this record. Speaking of Phil, his other recent troubles not withstanding, he should watch his back: the Smithereens have arrived with a collection of holiday tunes to rival his '63 classic.

It's already beginning to look (and sound) a lot like Christmas with the Smithereens "Rockin' Around The Christmas tree" on their own "cool yule" holiday album. And they really do rock the house here. Listen to Dennis "The Little Drummer Boy" Diken "bash away, bash away all" during the intro to the Smithereens' own version of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" while Jim Babjak's electric guitar decks the halls with reens riffs, Severo's bass pumps along at full "thrilla throttle" and Pat DiNizio croons in maximum rock `n' carolling mode. This is obviously not your average piped-in holiday music at the mall snoozefest.

There is much to enjoy on this Christmas album beginning with its majestic opener "Waking Up On Christmas Morning" written by lead guitarist Jim Babjak. It is one of three Smithereens originals on this CD that also includes "Christmas (I Remember)" and a rerecording of their song "All Revved Up" that's been re-revved up and revamped as "Christmas Time All Over The World". The Smithereens also add their own holiday dressing to some Christmas classics and semi-rare covers. Pat contributes some exuberant harmonica playing to Elvis' "Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)" while the guitars chug along like a runaway "Polar Express" train. The Smithereens also surf the yule tide with an excellent cover of the Beach Boys' "Merry Christmas, Baby" and do a really rollicking version of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run". The album later takes a side trip to Who-ville when Jim Babjak sings "Christmas" from the Who's "Tommy" album "and you know that can't be bad" when the Smithereens joyously revisit fab four territory with the Beatles' "Christmas Time Is Here Again". They even salute the Ramones with a catchy punk vs. Motown re-arrangement of their holiday song "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)". The band also rocks in the New Year with their Christmas carolers on steroids version of "Auld Lang Syne".

"Christmas with the Smithereens" delivers a much needed kick in the Christmas balls to an often tired and tiresome holiday music industry. It's the perfect antidote to overly treacly Christmas "pap music" and sugar shock inducing holiday elevator music. If you like your seasonal music "sugar free" rather than piped-in and played-out, then you should spend your "Christmas With the Smithereens".

Every year, we hear the same Christmas songs and although we know them and love them, it's always nice to hear new and rare versions of even the most loved favorites. The Smithereens are giving you both new and rare! Along with Pat DiNizio, we also get Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken taking over the vocals on a few songs.

Just when you think you've heard every version you ever wanted to hear of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"....the Smithereens deliver their electric punch flavor of the classic. I love their version of Auld Lang Syne. It starts with acapella then turns into a full blown rock song. The new original songs along with the classics really make this well rounded. There is a little something for everyone on this "classic in the making" Christmas CD.
Simply put, it rocks!

The Smithereens have been one of the most consistent and genuine no frills rock bands for over 25 years and have now produced a Christmas album in keeping with tradition of quality. In many ways, "Christmas with The Smithereens" can be considered a tribute to the rock legends that the group admires and by whom they have been influnced. But there are also 3 brand-new Smithereens songs that reflect their own unique blend of styles.
One thing to keep in mind is that while The Smithereens are covering well-known versions of past Christmas classics they are not attempting to best the original hits. From start to finish they are simply having fun doing their own takes on songs. You'll hear songs originally done by the Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and The Ramones (you can tell the group has a real affection for the original punk band. There's a cover of the rare Beatles song "Christmas Time is Here Again" and if you've already heard The Smithereens Beatles tribute ("Meet the Smithereens") you'll know how well they cover the Fab Four. There's also a nice surprise in their sharp cover of The Who's "Christmas" from the rock opera Tommy. It's amazing that this song hasn't become a rock yule tradition--until now.
As for the three original songs, The Smithereens make use of their own personal memories of Christmas and create songs that are lively as well as sentimental. These are not sing-songy compositions but they'll grow on you with repeated listenings.
If you're looking to break from the usual tradition of well-worn holiday covers then "Christmas with The Smithereens" is a great NEW tradition to start.

Remember the two types of Christmas albums that you listened to as a kid? There was the 'reverential' album of devotional songs and hallelujah stuff. It was the one that you put on late at night during a soft snowfall and looked at the Christmas tree and remembered Christmas past.

Then there was a the album that captured the fun and the joy of the holiday. You know what that was. It was the album that you put on when the cousins came over to visit. The one that you reached for automatically when the party started. The one that captured the fun and the excitement when the family was all together and the kids went one way and the parents went another. The album that was on when the kids would wonder what they would be getting when the presents were opened later on.

Christmas With The Smithereens captures perfectly the feeling and the memories of that time and makes it fresh. The Smithereens bring new life to the old classics. You can tell that they aren't just going through the motions but actually enjoying themselves as they play common Christmas tunes like 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' and not so common Christmas tunes such as their take on Art Carney's version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'. You can HEAR the Christmas Spririt Of Fun in these recordings. The band must have been smiling all the way through the recording sessions.

As I write this we sit on the edge of summer. So what? What law says that you can't play Christmas songs past the 'Christmas season'? Who says that you can't rock out for the summer to The Smithereens playing Christmas tunes? Do you only play 'Autumn Leaves' in autumn? Do you only play 'Riders On The Storm' when it rains? Do you only play 'Here Comes The Sun' when it's sunny? No! You don't.

Indulge yourself! Get 'Christmas With The Smithereens' NOW!!

Great service, great product. If tired of the same old music at Christmas, try this

A pretty cool Christmas Album "al la Smithereens" with some great covers; Rocking' Around The Christmas Tree and Merry Christmas ( I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)just to mention a few. I wish they could have put their touch on other Christmas Rock songs like Jingle Bell Rock, but maybe that's another album. Try to check it out if you can. Fairly quick delivery.

This is a fun Cd to own and listen to. If you like The Smithereens, it's not like their typical music style. There are alot of harmonies and they sound like the Beach Boys at times. It is not a sentimental Christmas Cd. I would say it is fun for listening to before Christmas starts, like Thanksgiving Weekend. I think it is good, but not great. Some songs are more enjoyable then others.