Most records don’t carry the warning sticker, “Please don’t listen to this record.” But most records aren’t Christmas singles cut by the Pope of Filth himself, John Waters. Waters, who is known for his annual Christmas tour (and a really great 2004 compilation featuring the Christmas songs they don’t overplay on the radio), has released his first Christmas single on the Sub Pop label.
Waters’ “Jingle Bells,” isn’t a traditional cover, instead, offering a version of the holiday classic in the style of The Singing Dogs, who had a hit of their own with the song in 1955 and 1971. And the song is exactly as described, with Waters barking the tune accompanied by the jingle of bells with a few additional instruments to help the listener more easily discern the tune. The B-side is a spoken word piece titled “It’s a Punk Rock Christmas,” where Waters reminds us why even punk rockers need Christmas.
The record was produced by Grammy winner Ian Brennan, who has produced Waters’ holiday spectacular for over 20 years. “It seemed almost negligent that he didn’t have a Christmas record,” said Brennan. “Everyone from U2 to Justin Bieber to William Shatner to Bob Dylan does, and John’s wit couldn’t be a more fitting cheer for the annual holiday music cannon.”
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