By Jim Sullivan
Thursday, December 10, 2009

‘A Blackheart Christmas’ (Blackheart): B+
Label chief Joan Jett is the major player here, and she and her Blackhearts rip off terrific, rockin’ versions of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night.” Girl in a Coma does a moody, country-ish “Blue Christmas” and the Dollyrots tear through “Santa Baby.” The standout tracks, though, are by the Vacancies, who do “The Elf Song” (celebrating the unsung workers of the holiday), and a cover of the Kinks’ “Father Christmas.” The latter is the cut to download, a slashing punk rocker where the poor kids beat up Santa. Why? They need the money.