Want to have a great Christmas, filled with tight punk-rock riffs supplied by a group of intelligent middle-aged men wearing black? Looking for a hilarious and yet artistically valuable gift? Really, really like Greg Graffin? This album is probably for you.
Although this is their first Christmas album, Bad Religion have been covering Christmas classics for years, mostly using it as an opportunity to poke fun at Christianity. The imminent threat of a full-scale Christmas album has finally come to fruition, and the result is highly enjoyable.
Featuring Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, White Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and another six classics, the album is basically a recording of one of the best punk rock bands of all time assaulting Christmas. The last track on the album is a new mix of one of Bad Religion’s greatest songs, American Jesus, by the Grammy-award winning Andy Wallace.
Sprinkled throughout Graffin’s trademark vocals and Brooks Wackerman’s workmanlike drums are recreations of some classic punk riffs from bands including the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. All in all it’s great fun, and is well worth a listen by anyone who likes their music fast and loud.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
Best Track: American Jesus
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: PENNYWISE, THE RAMONES
In A Word: Christmassy
