Rev. Horton Heat
We Three Kings: Christmas Favorites

Rev. Horton Heat (aka Jim Heath) is all about hellacious, country-tinged punkabilly rock, the sort of blistering music that makes ordinary Christmas tunes jump and sway. Edgy and fun, the Reverend's We Three Kings is an exciting mélange of extremely cool traditional numbers handled in an untraditional fashion.

Although most of the 13 tracks contain vocals, the glorious title track "We Three Kings" is a smokin' instrumental, mysterious and pulsing. The other two instrumentals ("What Child Is This" and "Winter Wonderland") will also have you dancing on the kitchen table. The album's selections are largely contemporary carols, including Willie Nelson's excellent "Pretty Paper." The Reverend's original "Santa on the Roof" flies high with a memorable melody line and great guitar licks. The album closes very well with a richly textured "Run Rudolph Run" that encourages addictive foot-tapping. The Reverend does not crank up every tune to full speed. "Silver Bells," for example, is down tempo and gently lyrical.

Rev. Horton Heat's We Three Kings is a delightful alternative for those who want to break out of the ho-hum holiday mold. This seasonal offering is tightly-crafted and well executed. Rockers rejoice--the Reverend is in town!

--Carol Swanson