On
The Tarquin Records All Star Holiday Extravaganza, a diverse group of indie musicians are assembled to sing about a variety of holidays, including Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Groundhog Day. The disc starts off with "Santa Was Seen Flying Through Soviet Air Space" by
the Philistines Jr. The song is reminiscent of
Bone Machine-era
Tom Waits. That song is followed by the first of five songs by
the Happiest Guys in the World, whose music is, not surprisingly, festive and jovial. The disc showcases some of Tarquin Records' bands, including
the Happiest Guys in the World,
the Zambonis, and
the Philistines Jr. Highlights include the surf rock of
the Defenders on "Sleighride," two renditions of "The Christmas Song" by
the Mommyheads,
Brian Dewan's "R2D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and the Mill Valley Taters' rollicking rendition of "Jingle Bells."
Franklin Bruno of
Nothing Painted Blue and the Extra Glens interjects with the jazzy "Invisible Mistletoe," while
the Swirlies check in on the lo-fi and joyful "Christmas in Kenmore Square." The disc ends with the "We Are the World"-like "Do They Know It's Christmas" by the Tarquin Records All Stars.