Don't forget Hanukkah... er... Chanukkah

Play it: The LeeVees Hanukkah Rocks

This is one of the rare years where Christmas and the start of Hanukkah are on the same day (Hanukkah starts sundown Dec. 25th.) So, in order to have some balance, I'm searching for good songs for the festival of lights. I mean, come on... name five great Hanukkah songs. OK, then how about two good Chanukkah songs? Not easy, huh? A pair of M.O.T. indie rockers, Adam Gardner (Guster) and Dave Schneider (The Zambonis,) meet the challenge head on with this new collection of tongue-firmly-in-cheek classics.

The LeeVees' Hanukkah Rocks (not at all like Hanoi Rocks) asks all the important Hannukah questions like... apple sauce or sour cream (for your latkes?) and "How do you spell Chunnakkahh?" Because holidays are for family, Dave's mom makes a guest appearance on the track "At the Timeshare" ("in Boca, or was it Boynton, or Daytona, it doesn't matter just as long as it's in Florida.") The indie menschs also kvetch about "Kugel" ( ("you were once sweet and creamy, now you're lowfat!") and gelt in "Gelt Melts" ("it looks like funny money, but in your pocket it's chocolate runny.")

Notice how most the popular Hanukkah music is humorous (Adam Sandler, Barenaked Ladies, the Klezmonauts)? I suppose you have to have a sense of humor when you're in Santa's big fat shadow. Oy!

tags: playlist, hanukkah, the leevees, holiday music, chanukkah