(Columbia)
Henry Rollins begins this excellent benefit for reproductive freedom by converting "The Night Before Christmas" into a mesmerizing inner-city nightmare via a dramatic reading of the Dickens holiday classic layered over a hypnotic siren effect and the eerie manipulations of Joe Cole.
Dance Hall Crashers pick up the pace with a percolating blast of Go Go's/Waitresses perk-pop called "I Did It For The Toys" that puts a bright spin on gift giving, while Sponge check in with an amazing bit of holiday angst that fleshes out an Alarm-ish riff and Kitchens Of Distinction-like dynamics with despondent, Bauhaus-dark vocals and a pulsing, irresistible beat. Julianna Hatfield offers the typically whispy, typically pretty "Make It Home" before Shudder To Think speak in tongues on "Al Hanisim" and Wool turn up with an aggressive burst of Green Day-like punk.
A live wank from Bush that melds Elvis, "Good King Watzisname" and Hendrix's "Hey Joe" into 2:22 of amateurish, sound-check piss-off guaranteed to disappoint any fan of the band is the disc's only real letdown, but is quickly forgotten as Luscious Jackson offer a cool bit of head-bobbin' semi-jazz and Mid-Eastern shuffle on the excellent "Queen Of Bliss" - which just happens to segue into a totally wigged Sonny Sharrock-like version of "The Little Drummer Boy" from Mike Watt and crew.
"Christmas Piglet" features The Presidents Of The United States Of America doing what TPotUSOA do so well - only with piano and acoustic guitar. The disc winds down with a faithful version of "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" from The Cranes and Face To Face's Texas-swing-worthy-of-the-King shot at "Blue Christmas."
Deep Forest and Wes Madiko are up last with a third-world chant and trance-like hum called "Nemene" that closes this truly commendable melange for a damn good cause on a perfect, far reaching note.
For further information, write to Rock For Choice at: 8105 West Third Street #1, Los Angeles, CA 90048; or e-mail: R4C@aol.com. Online at: //www.feminist.org
