The Grip Weeds

Under the Influence Of Christmas

Jem Records

This re-issued album, overflowing with holiday cheer, is also rocking enough to make non-Christmas people (I’m Jewish) happy, even when the break up songs don’t make merry.

It’s also politically correct, especially on ELP’s “I Believe in Father Christmas,” that slams commercialism, greed, and materialism, all of which goes on way too much at Christmas, as though the holidays are about nothing but gifts.

Making jangle rock of "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” is a great idea, as is making garage rock out of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” That’s the way it is on all the songs here -- great garage rock that gives a lot of grit to Christmas cheer and makes the holidays a lot more fun for non-believers like me. Give it a spin and you may agree.

Andrea Weiss