The Yule Logs

The Yule Logs come bearing gifts this holiday season. Now in its fifth season, the self-proclaimed “hardest working band in snow business” finally released an album … months ago when it was as hot and snowless as a Cactus League ballpark. That’s OK, it sort of goes with the four-piece’s punk-rawk ’tude. Besides, if you take away the lyrics about mistletoe and snowmen and dancing the hora you’re left with songs that jangle and jump like old British Invasion records. The Logs take on some well-chosen classics, turning “Hanukkah O Hanukkah” into a tango, while “Up on the Howzie Top” becomes a spiked egg nog-fueled garage-rock anthem. But it’s originals like “Christmastime Is Here (Again)” and “Christmas in Berlin” that are the most fun—loaded with four-part harmonies, reverbed guitars, walking bass lines and a pinch of irony. And don’t be alarmed if you find yourself singing the lyrics to “Hanukkah Mambo!” during the dog days of summer—it’s likely only a matter of time before Chico’s best-kept secret makes it so that you’re not alone.