I Am Santa Claus

Rivers,Bob & Twisted Radio ~ I Am Santa ClausLooking for irreverence in your holiday nut mix? Bob Rivers does such a great job of social, political, and seasonal satire under the guise of many a familiar holiday tune that he’s lucky he hasn’t been run over by a reindeer. Rivers apes all the department-store Santas (sung to the tune of “Here Comes Santa Claus”) with “There’s Another Santa Claus,” lambastes “Teddy Kennedy the Red-Nosed Senator,” and sends up Marlon Brando’s Godfather in the inspired “A Letter to Santa,” which warns of Santa’s movement into mob territory. There are a few clunkers among the moving and snoozing targets, but Rivers nearly always elicits a chuckle. The biggest yuks, though, come on the title track as he reaches back to Black Sabbath’s “I Am Ironman” classic to turn dear old Santa into a heavy-metal monster. Call it “Headnog”–and get it for the unholy rollers on your list. –Martin Keller

• Bob Rivers- I Am Santa Claus