Various Artists: Maybe This Christmas Tree : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Not everyone approaches Christmas time with an Energizer bunny's glee, and for those everyday Scrooges decking the halls with boughs of sour vibes there's this collection of Xmas "cheer." Death Cab for Cutie aren't about to let sleigh bells get in their way of turning Phil Spector's classic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" into a piano dirge, while estimable U.K. songwriter Tom McRae injects Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" with a creepy aura far removed from "wonderful." Lisa Loeb actually knows all the verses to "Jingle Bells," and she imbues them with excessive emotion. The one group to marshal the courage to deliver a spirited romp -- the Polyphonic Spree and their exalted choir take on John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" -- do so with the overambitious gusto of someone who's been nipping the eggnog too enthusiastically. Best to stick with the dour company here.