The Weisstronauts

I'M DREAMING OF A WEISSTRONAUTS CHRISTMAS

(Stereorrific)

Zippah Studio co-owner Pete Weiss wears so many hats as producer, engineer, and musician (the Rock Band, the Weisstronauts, Sool), who would've thought he'd have time to don Santa's red cap too? In addition to being a nifty little last-minute stocking stuffer, this five-track EP is an excellent teaser for his new loose-knit project, the Weisstronauts, who are preparing their full-length debut for release early next year.

Although the live version of the Weisstronauts usually involves Baby Ray guitarist Ken Lafler, former Betty Goo frontman Aaron Tap, and other familiar wiseacres chipping in on the surf-and-turf mayhem, here we more or less get the "permanent" line-up: Weiss on vocals and guitar; Kevin Quinn (Weiss's bandmate in Sool) on bass; Emily Jackson on drums; and Zippah co-owner Peter Linnane on guitar. I'm Dreaming offers a mix of standards and originals, kicking up a little mischief along the way to keep things interesting. There's the breezy rockabilly ride of "Jingle Bells," the Telecaster-and-eggnog-fueled bump-and-grind of "Nothin' Comin' Good This Christmas," and the easy-going twang of "Silent Night" -- this last one gets an instrumental arrangement save for a young girl's spoken-word holiday "wish list" that includes a request for a George Foreman "fusion grill." No doubt about it, the Weisstronauts know their Yuletide carols.

-- Jonathan Perry