Barackin’ Around the Christmas Tree / Barackin' Around the Christmas Tree

The Capitol Steps tackle parodies of Christmas carols with Barackin' Around the Christmas Tree, which was recorded in the studio rather than in front of the usual live audience. No person nor subject is safe from being skewered. Islamic terrorists "Deck the Hall with Bows to Allah," with the great closing line: "Virgins quit and some were laid off/We had fun with Bernie Madoff." "Gay Pride Together with You" (to the tune of "Sleigh Ride") is an absolute scream with its vocal duet, while various nationalities take turns replacing Santa Claus by taking less pay in "Here's Comes Sancho, Sanja, Shanghai Claus." Of course, political figures are always center stage. The obscene rants of President Obama's chief of staff are elegantly worked into "O Rahm O Rahm Emanuel," the South Carolina Governor's phony story about walking the Appalachian Trail while actually flying to Argentina to have an affair is the topic of "Over the River and Through the Woods (At Least That's What I Told My Staff)." The wandering eye of Bill Clinton is the centerpiece of "Bill's Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and one piece that has no real melody is the side-splitting "Hanukkah Rap." The frequent spoken gaffes of Vice President Joe Biden are featured in "Muzzle Joe" (to "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"). Most all of the songs are fairly short since there is little need to set up the characters with longer spoken introductions, though a few of them, like "A Sarah Palin Christmas" and "Barackin' Around the Christmas Tree" leave little lasting impression. Overall, its a good effort, but not quite as memorable as the Capitol Steps' live CDs.