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Our Review

Of all their holiday releases--and I've heard several, though not all of them--the Hot Buttered Elves' Hypothermia is among their strangest. Experimental and at times a bit on the dark side, the Elves never fail to leave the listener going "What the heck?" and "What did they just say?". Reminding me for a minute of a Daniel Johnston arrangement, the Holiday Tip: Cookie, for example, has a simple yet compelling message. And The Mayan Santa, which predicts 2012 (the end of the world on the Mayan calendar) will be the "worst Christmas ever", seems to be an easy call.

Hypothermia is a mixed bag. A Disappointing Vindaloo Christmas left me cold, probably because I drive a crew of Indian developers and I step pretty lightly around their culture and wouldn't think of mocking Indian accents. But despite its occasional politically incorrect faux pas, I found the disc to be as inviting and chock full of surprising little tidbits as a fruitcake: 30 tracks, all weird, all different. A few of the tidbits were disturbing (Li'l Snowy: The Serial Killer Elf) and not appropriate for all listeners; other tidbits were sweet and tasty, despite their edge Nutmeg High, for example. The title track itself was far and away my favorite: it works as a weird Christmas tune and also as a straight Punk/Goth anthem (sort of). Anyway, I put four stars next to Hypothermia in iTunes.

Captain Obvious would be the first to say Hypothermia is not for everyone.It feels, at times, like sort of a bleak winter. But, winter is cold. If you're like me, bizarre, borderline psycho holiday spirit is de riguer for celebrating the Solstice.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2007)

More

And what, to my feeble eyes did appear? Liner notes from Scott, and eight tiny reindeer.

Fracas Sonar - Programming, Keys, Guitar, Vox, Bells, etc.-01, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30
Genie Elf - Bass, Guitar, Vox, Bells, etc. - 02. 06, 08, 09, 13, 16, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30
Jeffey Elf - Bass, Marimba, Vox, etc. - 04, 11, 27, 29, 30
Lumpy Elf: Ukulele, Vox - 03, 10, 12, 14, 21, 25, 28
Scrotey Elf: Bells, Vox - 03, 10, 12, 14, 21, 25, 28
Titty Elf: Accordian - 03, 12, 14, 21, 25, 28
Tammy Teardrop aka Tammy Tandori - Electronic Music, Guitar, Keys, Tambourine, Vox - 07, 19
Bobby Velour aka Bobby "tikka" Masala - Bass, Guitar, Vox, etc. - 07, 19
Kerry Snowflake - Drums - 19
Danny Elf - Upright Bass - 17
Dweezy Weezy Elf - Flute - 17
The Dutchy Elf Clan - Noises - 18

Cover Art: Painting by Richie Elf, Ice Photo by Genie Elf, Layout by Fracas Sonar

The Hot Buttered Elves

Hypothermia

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Track List