I can’t speak for my Jewish friends, but I would imagine that they are probably ready to sing something other than the Dreidel Song as they gear up for the start of Hanukkah. While there are loads of lovely traditional songs out there, for those families with more of an indie vibe, you’ll definitely want to add this CD into your mix of cool Hanukkah music.
Hanukkah Rocks is The LeeVees’ ’05 release by Adam Gardner of Guster and Dave Schneider of the Zambonis who took their indie-rock background to create ten songs covering holiday staples from latkes, kugel, and gelt.
There are shades of They Might Be Giants, Weezer, and–or course–Guster and the Zambonis in their sound and lyrics. My kids wouldn’t quite get all the references, especially in songs like the old-timey sounding At the Timeshare, or Jewish Girls (at the Matzoh Ball) which are both more entertaining for grownups, though be assured there isn’t anything inappropriate for little kids in it.
And How Do You Spell Channukkahh? is such a standout tune with great lyrics and a great alt-rock beat that you don’t need to celebrate Hanukkah to love. Or is that Chanukah?
