Search - Bob Rivers :: Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire

Fun... but not as fun as it could be...

Allan Rousselle | Somewhere along I-90, USA | 11/16/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've enjoyed several tunes on each of the past Christmas albums that Bob Rivers and company have put together, and I was particularly looking forward to this album (especially after I'd heard the teaser clips).The production values are fantastic; this may well be the best produced collection of tracks that Rivers has put together thus far. Unfortunately, the perfect sound takes away some of the freshness that earlier albums have had. Lines that could be very funny end up sounding overrehearsed, instead. Chipmunks Roasting, The Angle, and Santa Clause is Foolin' Around (a brilliant Bruce Sprinsteen parody) are highlights. Typical lowlights, however, include The Stump, which is moreof a mimic of a classic '50's tune (that has nothing to do with Christmas) with only one punchline than it is a funny song, and the bad joke is repeated again with an unnecessary "remix". Likewise, the Chipmunks joke is carried through two tracks, the Angle joke is beaten to death (pardon my pun) by being continued in the two versions of The Stump, and the other non-Christmas song parodies just don't have anything funny to say about the holidays. Christmas Money, for example, lacks any of the wry wit of the original song.This is an okay comedy album. But, Bob Rivers and company have done much better work in the past. I highly recommend Twisted Christmas, which is a better collection by far."

Not as good as other Bob Rivers offerings

Sheryl A. Lemma | Sterling, VA United States | 01/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have yet to find a CD (other than maybe Dr. Demento) that is as funny as any of Bob Rivers' holiday CDs. That said, this particular CD is not nearly as good as his others. The remix of "The Stump" at the end of the CD left me feeling cheated out of another song, and in general, I don't believe the songs to be as clever as they have been in the past. However, the vocals, as always, are spot-on imitations, and if you are a Bob Rivers fan, you will want to own this. However, if this is the first CD of his you are purchasing, buy one of the older ones. (Bob Rivers Twisted Christmas, More Twisted Christmas or I Am Santa Claus.)"

Six Stars for this one!

Sheryl A. Lemma | 09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is better than 'I Am Santa Claus'. Between the poor "Angel", the Roasted Chipmunks, and "Elves are All You Need",a nd the public service spot "Don't Drink and Drive", well, it's got a message, it's funny, and it skewers all that syrupy mall-music right in the chest."