Customer Reviews

It's Christmas, Man!

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Christmas album really stands out from the pack by being outrageously FUN, not just "pleasant" like so many other records. If you want a real Christmas party with capital "P", just give this one a spin. (By the way, I'm not sure why Amazon doesn't list all the tracks -- trust me, it's a full length album).

As I am writing this, the CD is not currently available here, but you can order it directly from the band on their own web site.
I remember "Must Be Santa" from the sing along with Mitch Miller records that we played at my house when I was a kid. Brave Combo makes that even more fun. They make a lot of classic Christmas songs more fun by arranging them in various styles including polka, ska, and different types of latin music. There are a few original songs here to, and out of those, "Christmas In July" is the best.
I was enticed to buy this after listening to the samples available here. Try it, see if you like it too.

You know, this album could've been a lot harder to get. It was sold to Brave Combo as something to do for the Japanese market...but be glad that the record company decided to sell it elsewhere, too! Brave Combo deconstructs Christmas standards into Latin dance format and throws in some originals as well, along with a charming, sweet straight performance of Schubert's "Ave Maria." It's enjoyable any time of year, and well worth your while.

Brave Combo's collection of traditional and original Christmas music is the most enjoyable Christmas CD I own. It's fun! Guaranteed to put you in a good mood this holiday season.

I had already owned a few BC CD titles when I heard about this 3 or 4 years ago. I immediately went to the Rounder records website and ordered 1 for me and 3 for my sisters. Having polka and traditional "Hunky" music played in our house growing up, there is something about it that just makes you want to move. Their version of "Must Be Santa" needs to be on repeat play for half an hour it is just so much fun at Christmas time. Arguably the best song on this CD. If you know anything of BC's music and other releases, you know that their style is all over the map with Polkas, Cha-Chas, Waltzes, and Reggae with touches of other musical forms thrown in the mix to make it interseting. Same thing here. What you get are 15 very different tunes that just make the holiday that much more fun. Not every song is a winner but the album as a whole does not disappoint. Much better than any Mannheim Steamroller release. I like Hard Rock and this works for me.

Don't hesitate to buy this album. I collect Christmas music as a hobby and Brave Combo is at the top of my list.

This album has the best version of Little Drummer Boy I've heard-- they actually had the bright idea to feature the drums! The whole album is original like that. Santa's Polka is wonderful.

For a change of pace from your normal holiday music, buy this album. It's perfect for a party where you want festive, upbeat Yule tunes. Both my brothers were skeptical when I put this on, but when it was over they said, "Play it again!" in unison.

Brave Combo is a polka-rock band and this is their Christmas album. It features traditional Christmas songs performed in an untraditional style, plus a few original Christmas songs. It is a heck of a lot of fun. "Must Be Santa" is my personal favorite, but the whole album is great. If you like upbeat, fun loving Christmas songs, you should enjoy this album.

I don't think I exaggerating when I say that it is quite simply the most enjoyable Christmas album ever made! The premise of the album is that each song is a different dance. From the Polka (Must Be Santa and Santa's Polka) to the Waltz (Buon Natale) to the Cha Cha (It's Christmas) and even the Hora (Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah), Brave Combo puts a very new spin on the Christmas genre. Though four of the songs don't hold true to the dance theme, all have that unique Brave Combo twist. Real standouts on the album are: Santa's Polka, The Christmas Song (Ska), Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, and an amazing version of Ave Maria. I could listen to this song all year long...

If you're familiar with the Texas polka/Ska/Rock/whatever group Brave Combo, I won't need to explain very much to you. If you like Brave Combo, have no fears: buy it!

If you are not familiar with this energetic bunch, then get set for an danceable and upbeat ride, covering the range from Tex-mex conjunto version of the Italian "Buon Natale" to a hoppin' polka called, appropriately, "Santa's Polka." There are also old favorites like "O Christams Tree,"done as a samba, and a lightening fast instrumental version of Jingle Bells (43 seconds total). There's a nice Hanukkah song, and a goofy "Christmas in July. " But the best song of all, one that you will want to dance and sing with your kids over and over again, is the manic and joyous "Must Be Santa." It's worth the price of admission alone.

Hard to find; worth the effort. On Rounder records, #9033.