Barenaked Ladies are preparing the worldwide vinyl debut of Barenaked for the Holidays. First released in 2004, the 20-track album blends original tunes (“Christmas Pics,” “Hanukkah Blessings,” “Green Christmas”) and seasonal classics (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Auld Lang Syne”), with a heavy dash of the band’s signature wit.
Adding a twist of holiday magic are special guests Michael Bublé and Sarah McLachlan, who lend their vocals to “Elf’s Lament” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”/“We Three Kings,” respectively.
Arriving October 18 via Craft Recordings, Barenaked for the Holidays will be available in a variety of festive colors, in addition to classic black vinyl, including Candy Cane Split (exclusively through the band’s official store), Translucent Forest Green (Barnes & Noble), and Christmas Tree (Craft Recordings).
Offering something for everyone, BNL’s sole holiday release features 20 tracks that range from Christmas classics and Hannukah favorites to original ditties about the joys of winter and beyond—many of which are made even jollier, thanks to BNL’s humorous spirit.
Opening Barenaked for the Holidays is a measured rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Halfway through, BNL breaks into the parody version (“Jingle bells/Batman smells/Robin laid an egg…”), setting the tone for the album.
The group takes a more traditional approach to songs like “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,” “Auld Lang Syne,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” and Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” while an organ-based instrumental of “Carol of the Bells” (accented with harmonized hums from the band) is a refreshing take on the Yuletide classic.
On the other end of the spectrum—in one of the album’s most hilarious moments—is “Deck the Stills,” in which BNL breaks into a 30-second acapella interlude, singing “Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young” to the tune of “Deck the Halls.”
Order the 20th anniversary edition of Barenaked for the Holidays.