The Doohickeys: "Merry Happy Whatever" (2025) CD Review

It's that time of year again, friends. You can feel it in the air, even in Los Angeles, where the weather is suddenly getting cold (and by cold, for those of you who have never been to southern California, I mean temperatures in the fifties). We are approaching that holiday that has somehow made itself king of all holidays, Christmas. I'm not sure just how festive folks in this country are going to feel this year, but there is certainly holiday music to suit your needs, whatever mood you find yourself in. The Doohickeys' new EP has a title that I love, Merry Happy Whatever. It's a title you can take two ways: the "whatever" could be in place of "Christmas" or "Hanukkah" or "holidays," or the "whatever" could be the third in the line of adjectives after "merry" and "happy." Some folks are adamant that we say "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Christmas." Those folks are, of course, insane. Merry, happy, whatever. The Doohickeys are a country band led by the duo of Haley Spence Brown and Jack Hackett, a group with a playful spirit. The musicians backing them on this disc include Adam Arcos on bass; Jacob Brown on guitar and backing vocals; Kevin Brown on drums, vibraphone, bells and percussion; and Jordan Bush on pedal steel, clarinet, saxophone, banjo and harmonica. There are also some guests on various tracks. The EP features original material, and was produced by Eric Corne.

Merry Happy Whatever gets off to a delightful start with "Santa Needs A Beer," a fun country number about the impressive project Santa undertakes every year, and what he deserves as a result. "Since I know that it ain't easy doing this year after year/I don't put out milk and cookies, I pour that man a beer." Both Jack and Haley take turns on lead vocals. "It's a lot of hard work to bring Christmas cheer," they tell us. Indeed. That goes for all of us who attempt to be cheerful. And so, hey, this song is for all of us. We all need a beer. Though not the ones they mention by name toward the end of the song. Bud? Miller? Good lord, no. Sam Adams and Guinness for me, thanks. Then we get the EP's title track, which has a delicious, classic vibe, featuring some nice work on saxophone. This song is about making the mistake of assuming which holidays people celebrate, and it offers a solution. "I never knew what to say/So now I use this phrase/Merry happy whatever to you." I love this! There are moments that had me laughing out loud, such as these lines: "Some folks got a god, some don't believe/Some folks meditate, some go to church/And some poor folks can't get the day off work." And the backing vocals echoing "Or Jew, or Jew, or Jew" and "Hindu, Hindu, Hindu." This one also finds both Haley and Jack taking turns on lead vocals. Ethan Edenberg, Eric Jackowitz, Tom McGovern, Jacob Brown, Ben Masters and David Todman all provide backing vocals on this track.

I love the way "Put It On Credit" opens. The first phrase "It's that time of the year" is a typical Christmas song line, and so our brains automatically begin to fill in the rest of the line with various possibilities that we've heard. But The Doohickeys take it in an unexpected direction, concluding that first line with this: "when bank accounts are low." And right then everyone can relate. "When you start to worry about the gifts you gotta buy/Christmas won't be ruined if you just take our advice." And then the song kicks in to become a fun number, as they advise us to "Put it on credit." "No need to thank Santa, thank American Express." Ah, I think many folks do just that. This track features some nice work on banjo and fiddle (that's special guest Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle). "Want a boat, put it on credit/A new fur coat, put it on credit." I must remember to play this song for my girlfriend. This is a total delight of a song.

The band creates a relaxed, cool island atmosphere for "Sunny & 72." "Living in L.A. makes me miss the snow," Jack sings at the start. Sure, we all like the way a landscape looks covered with snow. But driving in it? Forget it. While it might not feel like Christmas here in Los Angeles when it's sunny and warm, I'll take it. Special guest Hayley Orrantia joins the group on vocals for this one. "I'd feel a little better if this was sweater weather." This is the perfect song for those of us who have chosen to make a warm place home, but I think anyone can enjoy the song. It contains some great stuff on guitar. "Seasonal depression kind of sounds insane/When you're living in a city that never rains." The EP then concludes with "Santa Is A Stoner." I love that this disc began with Santa needing a beer and ends with him getting high. Hey, who doesn't get through the holidays without medicinal aid? This one has a good bluesy sound. Here are the song's wonderful opening lines: "'Twas the night before Christmas, I was sprawled on the couch/A big fat joint hanging out of my mouth/The tree was lit up, and so was I/That plate full of cookies sure caught my eye." Haley is on lead vocals for this one, tearing into the blues. And, yes, this song also contains some cool work on harmonica. It is a blues number, after all. And Sasha Smith delivers some nice work on organ. You know, it makes total sense that Santa Claus would get high, because he'd have to stretch time out in order to get to all those houses in one night. This track is a fun way to wrap up this wonderful holiday treat.

CD Track List

1. Santa Needs A Beer
2. Merry Happy Whatever
3. Put It On Credit
4. Sunny & 72
5. Santa Is A Stoner

Merry Happy Whatever is scheduled to be released on December 5, 2025.