Sadly the last reviews of naughts

Fastball-All the Pain that Money Can Buy

The best Beatle album not released by the Beatles. Each song has its own life and identity. (5)

Cheap Trick- The Latest

Does this break new ground? Does the Trick go in a new direction? No. Could this have been released 25 years ago? Yes. Does it matter? Not on your life. Simple, well written pop-rock. Long live Budakon. (3.5)

Them Crooked Vultures

Them Killer Zeppelin Riffs. John Paul Jones' bass pounds this into your skull and Josh Holmes pays respectful homage to Jimmy Page- in a good way. Each song has a Zep nugget in it. It's hypnotic, driving, metal. Worth the hype. (4)

Lucero- 1372 Overton Park

Little more upfront horns than I remember Lucero using which makes their music sound like a train barreling down your throat. Pretty close to a Two Cow Garage/Hold Steady blend .  (3.5) 

Avett Brothers- Emotionalism

Our first back to back artist review starts out ok with "Die Die Die"and "Shame" but by "The Ballad of Love and Hate" it falls into Kingston Trio/Four Lads land, which like a Mighty Wind, really isn't good folk. I am actually a fan of the banjo but not strummed like a ukulele and the lyrics don't seem as genuine as I and You and Love which I think makes some of these songs sound as trite as they do. Maybe they need Rick Rubin and this is the REAL Avett Brother. In any case this was disappointing. (2.0)

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Ghits

You know every song, admittedly or not, and you will sing along, admittedly or not. What a blast.

Topic

Christmas/holiday Music.  Like it or not? 

I used to really like holiday music. It has lost some of its endearment of late because it gets played way too early and the stupid need for every artist to feel they have to release a Christmas album- normally traditional pseudo-heartfelt versions of songs that have been done with fake piety a bazillian time 

If you do, why?  What makes it a good listen.  

The non-traditional or original interpretations of traditional songs are my favorites. I refuse to listen to straight run throughs any more unless it is at my kids' elementary school where I will cut them a little slack

List your top 10 Christmas/holiday songs. 

John Gorka- Christmas Bells

Los Straitjackets- Winter Wonderland

Run Run Rudolph- pick one

Ralph Stanley- Christmas Time is Near

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- BNL and McLaughlin

Jingle Bells- Frank Sinatra

Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Wynton Marsallais

Carol of the Bells- TSO

Let Them Know its Christmas -Band Aid

Marshmallow World- Johnny Mathis