EMI-Capitol Special Markets' Christmas in Your Ear is intended to be a raw, aggressive, rockin' holiday record for all those rockers out there. Problem is, most of the ten songs are hardly "in your ear." Also, rock and Christmas aren't necessarily a match made in heaven, as illustrated by such cuts on Christmas in Your Ear as Billy Squier's "Christmas Is the Time to Say," Danny Tate's "Lovin' Little Christmas" and George Thorogood's blunt "Rock and Roll Christmas." Still, the compiler have managed to find some very good contemporary rock singles like the Smithereens' "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," the dBs' "Home for the Holidays" and Pat Benatar's "Please Come Home for Christmas." The Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Deck the Halls," the Butthole Surfers' "Good King Wenceslas" and the Cocteau Twins' "Frosty the Snowman" are pretty good interpretations as well, and they help make Christmas In Your Ear enjoyable. Even if it isn't in your face. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide