When I search the word “Christmas” on my iTunes, only 43 songs show up, which seems like a fairly modest number given the size of my digital library. Most of those tracks are indeed yuletide offerings, albeit ones that have somewhat darker sensibilities or that otherwise allow me to keep the holiday in my way (or at least Crow’s way). However, there’s also a band in there that bears a name that they may not have chosen if they existed at a time when making sure you weren’t swamped out by other options in a Google search had to be a major consideration in selecting a moniker. Then again, maybe it’s not such a big deal when people can also search an album title as distinctive as Ultraprophets of Thee Psykick Revolution.

That’s actually the band’s second album, which was released during my freshman year of college. I’d played a couple songs off of it without much excitement before I discovered the real gem of the record, as I often did that year, when it was played on MTV’s 120 Minutes. It became one of those songs that cropped up on my playlist from time to time. I’m sure the little slip of paper taped to the front of the album that was used to document which songs had been played from it had only my handwriting on it after a while, with “Stupid Kids” written over and over, different dates beside each entry.

And I’m sure I usually gave it a spin at around this time of the year, fulfilling my obligation to play a Christmas song without having to hear lyrics about Santa, presents, snow or sleighs. I’m not sure if that makes me a bad banana with a greasy black peel, but it does remain my preferred way to usher in the holiday.

Ho ho ho and pa rum pum pum pum.

Christmas, “Stupid Kids”

(Disclaimer: This album looks very, very out of print to me. Thus, the song is presented here with the understanding that’s its unavailable through any means that will provide appropriate monetary compensation to the artist. If I’m contacted by anyone with due authority to request its removal, I will gladly and promptly acquiesce.)