I must first say that I have never been a huge fan of “Christmas Music” because, like everything else during the Christmas season- it’s over produced and extremely lacking in the originality department. However, because Christmas music is all the rage during this time, id like to give people a chance to listen to some Christmas music that doesn’t suck.
Now before I start harping on “Christmas Spirit” like uncle scrooge after stepping in a puddle of icy slush, I’ll cut to the chase and harbor my ill-will towards Santa and all of his elves till a later blog. The following albums are incredible if only because they take mediocre songs and make them exceptional. You won’t find your mom’s favorite Mariah carey Christmas on this list nor would I ever wish that evil on anyone.
Lets begin -
8. Bing Crosby : Christmas With Bing Crosby
Now before I ruin my entire thesis with the recommendation of this album I have to say that THIS is the typical Christmas album done correctly. Bing Crosby’s voice is better than frank Sinatra (there, I said it) and as far as classic Christmas albums that your grandmother would play in the tapedeck of her beat up station wagon as she flicked the Salvation Army bell ringer off for slowing her down on her way out of Dillards- this the best.
The Andrews Sister’s team up with Mr. Crosby himself and create a very jolly and upbeat album that is sure to put a cheesy, manufactured, once-a-year smile on your face. I mean, who can listen to “A Marshmallow World” without pretending to be happy? Not me I say, not me. the Andrew’s Sisters are quite good at what they do, however, any time I hear them I look over my shoulder to make sure that Mike Meyers isn’t making a B-Line for my jugular vein.
7. Dustin Kensrue : The Good Night is Still Here
A few of you emo-punk-rock types might recognize good ole Dustin’s voice from his days as the lead singer of the band Thrice. Well, thrice sucks- so I guess he gave singing/songwriting a shot. And he does a wonderful, wonderful job.
This particular album takes classics like The Fairytale of New York (by far my favorite song on this album), O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and flips them on their head. His somber and backwoods-folk singing voice brings dead hymns to life. You can hear the hurt in his voice as he plays 2 of his own original Christmas songs and then spills into some of the “Holiday Classics”. His bluesy voice fits well into most of the album, but there are a few songs on this album that could use a bit more polishing of the vocal brass (Blue Christmas, This Is War, O Holy Night)
6. Trans-Siberian Orchestra : The Lost Christmas Attic
Can Christmas music get any more epic?
If you have you never wanted to make a battering ram out of fake plastic trees and shatter the hinged doors of the white house while shooting ornaments out of the barrel of an old Spanish armada era cannon- you have missed out. This puts hair on the proverbial chest of Christmas music puts to shame all others who try.
5. Andrea Bocelli : My Christmas
This is feel good Christmas music at it’s best. Andrea Bocelli is a fabulous musician and an even better vocalist. His voice is about as warm and welcoming as Ms. Claus and his beard rivals that of her spouse. Don’t be scared by his operatic prowess, this guy is easy to talk for all music listeners. Grab a book, a beautiful woman, a cup of not too sweet apple cider and pull up by the fireplace as Andrea Bocelli ushers you in to a holiday love making session for the ages (for the married couples, at any rate) be sure to listen to my favorite rendition of “What Child Is This” of all times.
4. Bright Eyes : A Christmas Album
Conor Oberst has always been pretty hit or miss for me- I admire his ability to expressive himself despite how ugly his voice is at times and it’s because of this that I have always consider myself a fan. His writing is quite poetic and has always made me think him more genuine than most. When I heard that Bright Eye’s did a Christmas album my interest was immediately piqued. It’s a very sad album, very slow and very folk-heavy. As is in tune to to most of what Bright Eye’s has ever done. Be sure to check out Away In A Manger, God Rest Ye Marry Gentleman and O Little Town Of Bethlehem. This album isn’t for everybody, but I for one am a big fan.
3. John Legend : Sounds Of The Season EP
This album makes Michael Buble’s “Christmas Album” sound like a collection of 8 year olds making fart noises from their armpits. John Legend has the most powerful, projected and pitch-perfect voice of any other artist that I am aware of. Plus, he can play the piano like a God. Enough with the P sounds, just pick up this album and TRY not to tap your foot- it won’t happen.
2. Vince Gauraldi Trio : A Charlie Brown Christmas
You could put this album on repeat from the day after turkey day November until December 26th and be perfectly satisfied. This is my favorite soundtrack to any movie of all time, well…until Tron comes out- then we shall see. This is the perfect harmony of piano, percussion and hearty stringed instruments- It won’t wear you away with impressive (yet sometimes abrasive) vocals, and it’s not overflowing with Christmas cliché filled lyrics. This trio created an outrageously catchy yet very complex collection of Christmas tunes and honestly, this could just as easily be the number one album on my list. There isn’t a bad track on this album, and the subtle chorus of the Peanut Gang makes me want to buy a crappy Christmas tree and never take a shower.
1.Sufjan Stevens : Songs For Christmas Vols. 1-5, Vol. 8
Sufjan Stevens is a legend in the alternative-folk genre and the fact that he has done a Christmas album (or multiple) is both surprising and overwhelmingly exciting. Most of these volumes (including 6, and 7 which to this day are almost impossible to find) he recorded only for his family and friends. Because of his disinterest in please the masses; he doesn’t pull any punches. Nothing is over produced, nothing is canned and there is nothing about these Christmas albums that smells of “I’m making a Christmas album to make money” like so many others. Sufjan can over do it sometimes- but there are SO many great tracks on these albums that you don’t need to be afraid to skip over the mediocre ones. The trumpets are cute, the mandolin/banjos/guitars are raw and beautiful and Sufjan’s voice seems so adolescent at first but the innocence grows on you. Listening to Sufjan makes me feel like a kid again, the end of each track brings the same sort of Christmas-eve anticipation that we all experienced; before I realized that the cold of the weather couldn’t nearly match the chill that the American Christmas Season sometimes stirs up in my bones.
