REVEREND HORTON HEAT We Three Kinds (Yep Roc/Outside)

While two of the Rev's rockabilly twang contemporaries, Brian Setzer and Los Straitjackets released Christmas records three years ago, the wait for the Rev to piss all over the mistletoe has been well worth it. While both are technically proficient, the Setzer and Straitjackets discs suffered from a much too reverential approach to the material, sounding like every other Xmas record (except with more reverb). The Rev slash and burn with just the right amount of respect and balls to have some real fun. "We Three Kings" and "What Child Is This" are now spaghetti western themes. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," but he's stopping at Link Wray's place first. This is the Christmas record you'll want to play when the kids are put to bed and the real party begins. Dan "The Mouth" Lovranski