"Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" are not just empty sayings when Brave Combo are around. It's Christmas, Man! is a merry romp through traditional and not-so-traditional holiday fare. "O Christmas Tree" is done as a drum heavy samba, "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting) skanks in as a ska tune, and "The Little Drummer Boy" has obviously been hanging out in Cuba. There are polka, waltz, and cumbia versions of classic carols, and a Hanukkah hora (circle dance) as well. Brave Combo have penned five new tunes for this release which are sure to become seasonal favorites. This is a fun recording, featuring accordion, sax, clarinet, guitars, bass, drums, and vocals in a mostly lighthearted set of inspired silliness. The occasional serious song like "Ave Maria" is treated with the respect it deserves, without being allowed to bog down in maudlin sappiness. The 15 songs on this CD make it a generous gift of spirited music. --Jeff Grubb
