Pleasant surprises

A year ago, around the beginning of December, I was wondering through a CD shop and decided to glance through the "Holiday Music" Shelf. I spotted this disc and on a lark, purchased it as a goof for my girl friend while we decorated the tree.

When I popped in the CD, I was prepared for just about anything. What I discovered was a warm, entertaining, fun disc of Holiday music. We liked it so much, that the night before we left on our Christmas Holidays, we happened upon an ad for "Crash Test Dummies Holiday Tour" with a stop at a local music hall. We put off packing until after midnight to make the show.

I'm not sure if this disc was produced with tongue planted firmly in cheak, or with the intentions of producing a collection of Holiday material that puts a sincere warm smile on your face. Frankly I don't care. I love this record. It makes me smile every time I hear it. I've given it as a gift...5 times last year and 3 times this year. In my opinion it is a classic...right up there with the Drifter's version of White Christmas. Buy it...it will make you smile. And that's what music...especially around the holidays is supposed to do.

The single most interesting CD in our collection

Who would have thought that the same album would have the most achingly beautiful Christmas song ever - their version of In the Bleak Midwinter - and the scariest version of Jingle Bells in creation? A fun, eclectic, mix that can be both appropriately reverent and really "out-there". It's our new favorite. Definitely recommend this for anyone who likes CTD or is just tired of the same old 24/7 from Halloween to New Year's Holiday Music fare.

Pour the egg nog...and 'Jingle All The Way...'

Good, fun times will come when you play this collection of christmas tunes from the Crash Test Dummies. The choice of christmas songs are all standards with interesting, twisted, and sinfully yummy musical styles.

'Jingle All The Way...' opens warmly with 'White Christmas' with Brad Roberts musing about being up North while in Beverly Hills. Brad hands off lead vocal duties to the always welcome Ellen Reid, handling 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' and 'In The Bleak Midwinter' among others.

In spite of the holiday theme, the album is reflective of early Crash Test Dummies good fun. From the menacing and demented 'Jingle Bells,' to the Vegas lounge lizard sound of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentelmen,' this christmas album is surely to delight even the most rigid musical tastes.

This makes a fun and very merry christmas gift too. Instead of bringing wine for a holiday dinner with friends, bring your hosts this and some brandy and egg nog!!

Enjoy!

painful

even the most ardent fans will have a hard time listening to this painful butchering of christmas classics.

Low Down Christmas Classic

I'll be the first to admit that I bought this title on a lark, a whimsy, in a burst of curiousity. I have listened to the "Jingle All The Way" disc a number of times and have heard something different to admire on each new listen. Those persons who were fans of the Crash Test Dummies will certainly vouch that the band's calling card has long been Brad Roberts' sub-baritone vocal stylings. What was lost on this listener in my limited exposure to CTD was the voice of Ellen Reid. Her soaring highs stand in stark contrast to Roberts' lows.
Quite simply, this disc contains the best rendition of "We Three Kings" I have ever heard. Other highlights include the swingersque "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and the harmonies on "Little Drummer Boy" The only song that wasn't quite up to par was the version of "Silent Night." But that minor flaw pales in comparison to the enjoyment I receive each time I play it. I expect this to be a December favorite for years to come.

A Twised Christmas album!!!

This CD is great! The songs are traditional Christmas songs made better by the sweet haunting voice of Ellen Reid, and the deep purring voice of Brad Roberts. Quite a few are sung with a twisted, almost parody-like quality due to Roberts' deep baritone. It's not even Christmas yet and I'm already in the spirit!!!