Asylum Street Spankers
THE ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS PRESENT . . . A CHRISTMAS SPANKING
(BLOODSHOT)

This holiday goodie treats Christmas classics with humor, style, and swing — three elements that the Spankers have in abundance. They open the set with a version of "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" that runs from genre to genre without missing a beat, through lounge swing, country stomp, warped mariachi, and Tom Waits–like crooning.

That isn’t to say this album is just an irreverent novelty. Singer Christina Marrs packs a punch on "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?" and "The Christmas Song," with a clear, brassy voice that would blow most pop divas back on their bony butts. "Baby, It’s Cold Outside" is a slow cooker sprinkled with tasteful clarinet riffs. The band play the instrumental "We Three Kings" with a respectful tone and a Dave Brubeck–like bounce, and they turn "Silent Night" into the perfect vehicle for a musical-saw solo. All of which adds up to a hell of a fun holiday record.

Issue Date: December 20 - 27, 2001

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