When it comes to rock bands releasing Christmas albums I’m always skeptical. It certainly is always good for a smile. Particularly in the case of Twisted Sister doing a Christmas album. But this year Cheap Trick have composed a Christmas rock record that’s actually worthy of purchase. I mean, it’s really good. Simply entitled ‘Christmas Christmas’, it’s truly Christmas done Cheap Trick style.
What really stands out with this record is the seamless nature of the combination of Cheap Trick and classic Christmas tropes. It’s only has three original tracks. But it is their third full length album in 18 months since singing to Big Machine Records. That’s an impressive amount of output. When I first saw the record I didn’t know really what to make of it. But eventually I said ‘What the hell? Just jam on it’. And I was very pleasantly surprised. The band does no turning down the amps to accompany a yule tide mood. Instead they crank it like they have on their last two albums. Which are surprisingly heavy for Cheap Trick at times. It’s that 50’s and 60’s rock mood but super distorted and heavy. The band sounds youthful and occasionally full of teenage angst. Even as the members approach their 70’s. What’s amazing, and I’ll always say it on a Cheap Trick post, is how Robin Zander’s voice has held up. It’s truly a wonder of the world. And it’s the main culprit in the band’s youthful sound.
The album opens with a one, two, three punch with ‘Merry Christmas Darlings’, ‘I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday’ and ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’. Just a wham, bam, thank ya mam kind of kick. Fun, driving and really puts you in the mood for Christmas. ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ swings hard in classic Cheap Trick style. The Christmas blues of ‘Please Come Home for Christmas’ provide a warm, fireside feeling while still rocking. The piano balladry of ‘Remember Christmas’ is a beautiful moment that slows down the album at the perfect moment. The jingle bells are a real nice touch as well. Makes me want hot cocoa. ‘Run Rudolph Run’ puts the album back into high gear. A track that hopefully Santa will be listening to while he rushes to get to everyone on time. ‘Father Christmas’ may be the most meaningful song. A track about a kid who wants his father to have a job for Christmas so the family can eat. ‘Silent Night’ brings in the tradition. Zander really kills it vocally and the track builds in such an epic fashion. ‘Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)’ has an almost punk like nature to it. While ‘Our Father of Life’ goes in the opposite direction. Traveling down a traditional Christmas path complete with a youth choir. The album then closes with the title track ‘Christmas Christmas’. And honestly, it’s one of the most ‘Dream Police’ sounding songs the band has ever done since ’79. It builds in a similar, epic fashion while having the odd chromatic key change on the track ascension. Which is one of Cheap Trick’s signature moves.
Overall, a really big surprise on quality. Cheap Trick takes classics and Trickifies them perfectly. What’s so cool is how Christmassey the record too. Although the band is from Rockford, IL. That area of the country is simply the most ‘Christmas’ of any American landscape. So grab a copy, crank it up and drink tons of eggnog. It’s Christmas Cheap Trick style! Have a great holiday and a happy new year everyone!!
