The creator of last year's drop-the-mic classic "No Lou This Christmas" rolled up all of the Christmas tunes he's recorded over the years since 1983 (hence the title) for a formal album in 2014 that yes, includes "Lou" and 14 other tunes from his fine, fine, supafine career. And Tom, who doubles as major domo of the Green Monkey label, is donating profits from this to MusicCares to boot. You've already been introduced to "Lou," so we'll move on to album opener "It's Christmas (And I'm Jolly), a fun tune that manages to sound like music hall music and Wild Man Fischer at the same time. "Jingle Bell Ska" is exactly as advertised, "It's a White Mule Christmas" is a folk blues stomp, "Christmas (It's Around the Corner)" is a mellow piano-and-organ ode to anticipation, and "Propane Santa" is a slice-of-life story song about Santa buying, well, propane, performed as a duet with an unidentified female singer. "Christmas Time For Sailors" is an excellent holiday excuse to sing (talk) like a pirate, "Hot Dog! It's Christmas" is another duet, this one celebrating the holiday to a bit of fake jazz backing, Dyer goes busking with "Because It's Christmas" and "It's Snowing in Seattle" liberates a few lines from the old favorite "Visit From St. Nicholas" for a localized tribute to the singer's hometown. A bit of cracked country music, old school variety, is the setting for "The Christmas Rosie Came To Town," and Dyer makes his own song called "Christmas Time Is Here," with a strong harmonized chorus and hand claps carrying the rhythm. All the songs are originals except for Dyer's own takes on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Angels We Have Heard On High." As you might expect from a 30-year spread of recordings, some things sound a bit more polished than others, and the whole thing has an indie rock vibe, but there's plenty of rock and roll attitude here, a strong sense of humor and an affinity for the holiday that makes it a down-to-earth pleasure to listen to.
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