Denis Leary - Merry F#%$in' Christmas (CD)

All Music Guide

There are ten tracks here, but Denis Leary's Merry Fin' Christmas is really a betweenalbums, getitoutfortheholidayshoppingseason EP. Combining a jaunty melody with sour, foul, and hilarious lyrics, the title track is the reason to pick this up. The caustic tune is funny and fast it'll take a couple listens to catch it all and you get two versions, one in the studio and one from the Comics Come Home special. The nonholiday filler is generally good, half of it being from Leary's Comedy Central appearances while the rest is sourced from sessions for 1997's Lock 'n Load album, including two unreleased outtakes. It may only run 20 minutes, but it's priced right and contains a couple treasures for fans.

- David Jeffries, All Music Guide