[This is the first in a series of several reblogged posts from the now defunct Riddim Meth0d blog. I figured I’d start with some seasonally appropriate fare, so look for a couple more X-mas related things to follow. This post was originally published on Dec 21, 2005.]

not to be a humbug, but it occurred to me that screwing (or is it unwinding?) one of the chipmunks’ christmas tunes would be a funny way both to reverse-engineer the song and to tap into the ’05 zeitgeist.

wayneandwax vs. the chipmunks, “christmas don’t be late slow”
[audio:http://wayneandwax.com/riddimmeth0d/ww_chipmunks-screwed.mp3]

despite its novelty, ross bagdasarian’s one-man band has proved an enduring cultural phenomenon, and the ‘munks christmas songs (and x-mas special) are as unavoidable as any other seasonal pap. somehow, at least for the first few encounters, i still find the chipmunks’ routine, especially on this song in particular, to be rather delightful. the way alvin pines for a hula hoop always makes me laugh, and the tight (extra tight when sped-up) barbershop harmonies never fail to strike a chord – even when dave claims that alvin is flat.

on this screw (but, sorry, no chop), the chipmunks’ “real” voices are revealed, though dave’s adult register, never sped-up to begin with, slurs along like houston’s finest. and don’t those horn blasts at the beginning sound sweet? chop-worthy to be sure, though working in 3/4 time would be a challenge for even the swishest of screwdrivers.

more holiday hijinks to come…