"Rebel Jesus" notwithstanding, if Jackson Browne were to record a Christmas album, it would probably suck... and be full of pretentious, pompous, self-righteous holiday sentiment (this from the guy who gave Darryl Hannah a black eye).

The Fleshtones, on the other hand, have released a Christmas album that flat out fucking rocks!

Is it on the seminal level of James Brown's Funky Christmas or The Beach Boys' Christmas Album)? Not quite, but like Mary and Joseph, the Fleshtones are forced to wander, are turned away from material comforts, and seek refuge in dormant houses. Nonetheless, the Fleshtones persevere and - like Mary and Joseph - give to us an eternal gift. In the case of the Fleshtones, this is the gift of
SUPER ROCK: Farfisa organ, tremolo guitar and the occasional wailing sax with nary an ounce of pretence or pomposity, and chock full o' holiday cheer.

Hear Keith Streng lead the boys through the raspy "Champagne of Christmas,” hear Peter Zaremba croon the adapted Polish hymn "In Midnight's Silence" and hear the boys slay the Yuletide classic "Run, Rudolph, Run,” among many other choice holiday cuts.

As they exalt in "Super Rock Santa,” let there be "a fuzzbox under the Christmas tree.” And, this holiday season, let us embrace the criminally under-appreciated American treasure - the Fleshtones - and give thanks and praise that these fifty-sumpthin' rock and rollers still shake their asses below their twenty-nine-inch waists and, like Santa, deliver the goods.

Ho-ho-ho!!!