Hell of a Holiday

The title of Hell of a Holiday is a wink at Hell on Heels, the title of Pistol Annies' debut album, but it also signals what the spirit of this seasonal set is: it's as lively, funny, and original as any of the other three albums from the country supergroup. Instead of recycling a bunch of shopworn holiday tunes -- there are only three covers here, including a swinging rendition of "Sleigh Ride" and a simmering reworking of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" -- Pistol Annies deliver ten originals that hold true to their sense of humor and style. There are plenty of moments of frivolity, whether it's the playful trinket that's "Snow Globe" or the tongue-in-cheek blues "Harlan County Coal," yet these are balanced by moments of sincerity. The slow-burning "Make You Blue" is in the vein of "Blue Christmas," "Leanin' on Jesus" reconnects with the heart of the holiday, and "The Only Thing I Wanted" keys in on the melancholy lurking on the edges of all the festivities. Throughout it all, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley harmonize and trade lines with gusto, all while being supported by a crackerjack band who truly gives the music swing and soul. It delivers what all good Christmas albums should: a personalized spin on the spirit of the season. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine