Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics [PA] (CD - 1999)

Producers: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Marc Shaiman.

Adapter: Marc Shaiman .

Personnel: Bruce Howell (guitar); Dan Higgins (saxophone); Dave DePalo (midi); John "J.R." Robinson (drums).

Recording information: The Institute.

Photographer: Joe Atlas.

Arranger: Marc Shaiman .

At the close of the 20th century, the only thing lacking was a holiday album that managed to both subvert the normally solemn holiday spirit and insult people of every stripe imaginable. In response to what they felt was an obvious need, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone created MR. HANKEY'S CHRISTMAS CLASSICS, a collection of songs that forevermore turned the holiday season on its head.

The album's namesake, Mr. Hankey, is a mythical piece of holiday poo. This album redefines poor taste, whether it's Eric Cartman turning "O Holy Night" into an anthem of materialism or Adolf Hitler singing "O Tanenbaum." Among the highlights (lowlights?) are Mr. Garrison's Vince Guaraldi-inspired carol of intolerance, "Merry F**king Christmas" and how the Broflofskis, Cartman, and Stan turn "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" into an intricate choral round. By far the most clever and disconcerting number is "Christmas Time in Hell," in which Satan sings of the unlikely mix of Chairman Mao, Michael Landon, Jeffrey Dahmer, Andy Dick, Genghis Khan, and Gene Siskel being among the denizens of his kingdom. minimize