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| VariousA Santa Cause: It's A Punk Rock Christmas2003 Immortal 
  Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on November 25th 2003 I actually feel guilty for having to take a critical look at this record. The selection of bands is heavily stacked with popular new school pop-punk and emo (or whatever it’s called), so this is bound to sell well. Since a portion of the proceeds is going to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation this is great news. Despite my opinion of the bands on here, I can’t argue with a well-intentioned donation to a children’s charity. Unfortunately the music on A Santa Cause isn’t going get the same accolades as the cause. Too many of the bands here forget that the album is subtitled “It’s A Punk Rock Christmas” and turn in some of the tamest, neutered tracks of their careers. Given the theme of the record I’m not exactly expecting furious hardcore, but I did hope that the band’s churn out some fun, rocking renditions of the songs they’ve chosen. Yet the recordings by Acceptance, Fall Out Boy, The Beautiful Mistake, Jason Gleason (of Further Seems Forever) and (to a lesser extent) Gatsby’s American Dream give no indication that these bands have day-jobs as rock musicians. With the exception of the vocalists these covers aren't very different from the typical version of the songs you hear every year. On top of that we have the punk Christmas cover clichés. These include but are not limited too the use of jingle bells or playing the hook from a popular Christmas song as a bridge in your own. It's cute once. That's it. Some of the better-known pop-punk acts here only contribute previously released material, which may disappoint completists looking for something new. This is the case with Something Corporate, New Found Glory and Blink 182, whose song “I Won’t Be Home For Chrismas” seems especially tame in light of the band’s current direction. From First To Last’s “X12 Days Or XXXMasX” is a horribly failed attempt at humour by throwing screamo clichés into normally happy holiday song. At least I hope it’s an attempt at humour, because it’s nothing you’ll listen to a second time. There is good here though. Buzz band The Matches contribute “December
Is For Cynics,” which is quite catchy with a memorable sing-along chorus.
The band sounds a bit more powerful here then on other recordings I’ve
heard. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones contribution “This Time Of Year”
is an original song. The heavily Ramones influenced track is enjoyable and a
welcome break from the pace of the album. I’ve grown to appreciate The
A.K.A’s and their cover of Run DMC’s “Christmas In Hollis”
is really amusing (if not a bit surprising at first). It’s an irreverent
song, but that makes it fun. The same can be said for MXPX’s “Christmas
Night of Zombies." Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Fuck you whoever the hell wrote this!fftl kicks fucking ass. all you guys fucking blow. sonny moore and FFTL kick so much ass and so does this cd. they work so hard to do these things, and they dont need you people telling them what to do. you guys suck so bad. all you guys fucking blow. sonny moore and FFTL kick so much ass and so does this cd. they work so hard to do these things, and they dont need you people telling them what to do. you guys suck so bad. The Lawrence Arms - Faintly Falling Ashes fuck you guys, fftl beat ass. Punkest xmas song ever? if it doesn't have The Bollweevils "white christmas" its not a punk rock christmas record. They dont sell it newhere in Perth, Australia!!!!! Canadians dont believe in Christmas because they are all pagans and hippies. Throw soap at them. man christmas is awesome!...here's my wishlist for this year!.. Immortal? i thought they did crap-metal, like Korn and newer incubus. the punchline song on this cd fucking blows too. "Other great xmas songs not mentioned below: I'm holding out for "A Grindcore Kwanza" lets see...since its obviously punk rock to hate christmas...i hate it too. although i do enjoy singing along to my bright eyes christmas cd. I hate christmas,and song about christmas. the A.K.A.s are everywhere. "To the reviewer who hoped that the From First To Last song was a joke, look at the title you fucking idiot. Of course it's meant to be a joke." ...unless of course, that's how they always sound. ehhh i shudder to think. The real question is, however, was the Gatsbys American Dream one a joke? I sure hope so. To the reviewer who hoped that the From First To Last song was a joke, look at the title you fucking idiot. Of course it's meant to be a joke. Why not give your money directly to the foundation rather than having to listen to this shit. "Run, Rudolph, Run" by the Yobs is the best. Other great xmas songs not mentioned below: Bad Religion - God Rest Ye Jerry Mentleman is the best Christmas song ever. i listened to the mxpx track and.. "Which one? Jackson or Tatecore?" That blink song is old as the hills, which explains the "watered down considering their new direction". I'm glad I'm anonymous too just give me The Dickies "Silent Night" and i'll be happy. This score is for both the album and the fact that there are little kids with AIDS! Both make me sick to my stomach! "HHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... Unofficial Comment Of The Day Award for that one below. No question. Good Review, one of the best I've read on here This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better: The Pogues song is a classic. So are Fear's "Fuck Christmas" and The Dickies' "Silent Night." The best chrismas song ever is the Pogues - Fairytail of New York. No contest. the best christmas punk cd ever is vandals oi to the world most of this cd is pretty bad, but i really enjoyed the from first to last - X12 days of XXXMasX song at least coalesce is on there. errr. not. The only good punk christmas song is HHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... Unofficial Comment Of The Day Award for that one below. No question. the blink 182 song on here is the reason i'm breathing today. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to give them my disease! how is the saosin song? Let the children die! Buy sometime else instead! after hearing this the kids will be begging for aids wasn't Santa a skinhead? Bah humbug. It isn't a punk rock Christmas without The Ramones' "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)." A bunch of corporate business men in cheap suits must have came up with this cd. this cd is pretty horrible. I was actually listening to this earlier for review elsewhere...don't like it... |
