Toasters "Christmas-Ska" Album Review

The Toasters recorded “Christmas-Ska” between “Hard Band For Dead” and DLTBGYD. It is my favorite ska Christmas album ever recorded and really finds the band at the peak of their instrumental abilities.

“Little Drummer Boy” kicks the album off very nicely. There is an outstanding saxophone solo beginning at the 1:16 mark. “Sleigh Ride” features the smooth vocals of Jack Ruby Jr leading a catchy ska beat. “Winter Wonderland” definitely has a different point of view with Louis Armstrong inspired vocals. It’s not as good as some of the other material, but is unique. “War Is Over” is another very well done song similar to “Sleigh Ride” in its mood and makeup.

“Happy Christmas” is the first Toaster’s original so far and is done in typical Toasters style with a jazzy vibe. I like the organ work at 1:09. “Rudy Christmas A Jail” is a Toasters’ original and one of my favorite songs of all time. It is easily my favorite on the album. It mixes a tremendously catchy melody with great lyrics and great instrumentation.

“We Three Kings” is a well done instrumental similar to “Little Drummer Boy”. “Christmas Time Again” is the 3rd and final Toasters’ original on the album. The toasting rich “God Rock You Steady Gentlemen”, a traditional version of “Feliz Navidad”, and the excellent “Blue Christmas” bring the album to a close.

I love the album and highly recommend it. You can get it from cdbaby.