Kristmas Kittens

Local stalwarts the Livid Kittens have been making some kind of rock-oriented racket for a long time now. Combining elements of hard rock, punk, goth, glam, and surf — and filtering it through the rabid vocals of lead kitten Paige Harvey — the unit's sitting on its latest slab (and fifth effort), The Diamond-Cutter Sessions. What you have here are four Kittens originals: the bawdy one-two punch of "She Calls Me Daddy" and "Cock" tearing it up as openers, followed by the truckin' of "Showgirl Hips" and "Undertow" before closing with a fucking brilliant rendition of Motörhead's "Ace of Spades" (where yours truly believes ole Lemmy's given a run for his money). In any case, this disc is a good way to get your holiday jollies. Though an even better way is to catch the Kittens at Saturday's "Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Party."

The Livid Kittens perform Saturday, December 23, at the Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. The show starts at 9 p.m. with openers Kill Miss Pretty, the Freakin Hott, and the Dyslexic Postcards. Admission costs $5 to $7. Call 954-564-1047, or visit www.cultureroom.net.