Robert Earl Keen,
Merry Christmas from the Family



Publisher: UT Press
Released: 2001 (reissued 2005)

(4 out of 5)

Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas from the Family" is one of the most frightening songs I've ever heard. I can think of a relative or friend who approximates pretty much every character in the song, from brother Ken to cousin David, and especially Fran and Rita ("I can't remember how I'm kin to them") with their motor home. And chances are you can, too — that's why he hit such a chord with the satirically ribald yet sufficiently realistic depiction of a white-trash Christmas.

A few years back Keen released a book to provide pictorial accompaniment, reissued this year by UT Press. It's a perfect holiday treasure for fans of the song, who will revel in sidebars like "10 things to do with fake snow" and "10 items not found at a convenience store." And with brilliant technicolor photography and a CD single, it's also a perfect gift for those who've given you a blank stare when you tell them "Merry Christmas from the Family" is one of your favorite holiday songs.

Is it a bad thing if I find myself intrigued with the recipes for Gatoritas (lemon-lime Gatorade plus tequila) and Instant Astronauts (Tang and vodka)? At least I'm not tempted to follow the instructions to make a Tampon Angel.

December 11, 2005