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I liked several things about this record, not the least of which was the irreverent concept and the beautifully stylized packaging. But I also liked some of the music, too, so let's get right to it.

The title Still Smells Like Christmas Spirit is a not so subtle Nirvana reference, and Evil Beaver was quite up to the challenge of mocking the distorted bass riffs of classic grunge. In fact, I thought the title track and its reprise were among the record's highlights. I also liked the heavy metal War Pigs, which is not really a Christmas song at all. Also, Santa Claus Is Back In Town (featuring Patty Elvis and Buzz Killman) was an entertaining send-up of Elvis Presley's rendition of this modern classic.

The Evil Beaver--Evie Evil and Laura Ann Beaver--get credit for conceiving several promising concept pieces and for taking a lot of chances. I thought some of the concepts (Elvis Presley and Nirvana) worked better than others (Marilyn Monroe and Run DMC). I also think the Evil Beaver needs another guitar. It is extremely difficult to effectively realize the concept of a rock duo, particularly a percussion and base duo. Shannon Worrell couldn't do it (without a lot of studio help), and she's a god. The Spinanes came as close as anybody I've heard to pulling it off, but their sound would have been so much richer with another instrument or two. Somebody playing a few extra notes can cover a multitude of sins is all I'm saying. Okay. So that's how I feel about that.

Now having said that, Still Smells Like Christmas Spirit really is a fun record, and one that drops a number of hints about the talents and potential of the Evil Beaver.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

Evil Beaver is Evie Evil, on bass and vocals, and Laura Ann Beaver, on drums, jingle bells, and vocals.

Santa Claus is Back In Town featured Patty Elvis, vocals, Buzz Killman, harmonica, and Katie Tomato, piano.

Lisa and Marie Tomato played keyboards on Christmas In Hollis.

Gina Black plays Billy Upright Black on Still Smells Like Christmas Spirit.

Evil Beaver

Still Smells Like Christmas Spirit

Artist link

Track List