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Album reviews Music

Bad Religion

Rating: NNN


Even for shameless seasonal music fans, most new holiday releases are lame. It’s tough to compete with Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington or Bing Crosby. And if you’re not going to have an All I Want For Christmas-level hit, what’s the point?

Bad Religion’s Christmas album is one of the most unusual in recent memory.

It might seem like a strange fit, but the punk legends’ famous three-part harmonies actually suit the genre quite nicely, particularly on the churchy opening to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and a new and improved ending to White Christmas. Plus, it’s invigorating to hear over-sentimentalized tunes punkified with pummelling drums and brief but blustery guitar solos – the little drummer boy’s never had this kind of a fire lit under his ass.

Turning religious songs into punk rock songs is positively irreverent, which after all is the point of the genre. Plus, Bad Religion haven’t completely sold out. Twenty per cent of sales go to SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

Top track: White Christmas

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