Christmas comes but once a year, much to the thanks of holiday music haters. So if you're a Grinch when it comes to jingle bells and fa-la-la's, perhaps these selections will get you through the new year.
'Christmas with Alvin & the Chipmunks'
What holiday music-fest would be complete without a bunch of old men singing in fast forward to sound like furry rodents? Of course, I'm talking about Christmas with Alvin & the Chipmunks, the 1962 classic that has entertained children and adults alike for decades.
The past few years have seen a bastardization of this album and the Chipmunk spirit with newer holiday-themed albums by the trio of warm and fuzzy creatures. Nothing, however, compares to hearing David Seville introducing himself and his boys before breaking into the opening track, "Here Comes Santa Claus."
David goes solo in "Silver Bells" and "White Christmas," a nice touch for those who may not be able to put up with 25 straight minutes of helium-pitched vocals.
Ultimately, the album is not merely a collection of songs but rather an experience all in its own. David, Alvin, Simon and Theodore talk to us as though they were right there with us in our living rooms. Make sure to play "Christmas Don't Be Late" on your trek home next week. It makes a surprisingly fun road companion during the long drive home.
-- Reviewed by Jason Cox
'A Very Special Christmas'
For another trip into the past, make sure to pick up the very first in a popular line of Christmas CDs, A Very Special Christmas. The album contains a collection of some of the biggest artists of the day including U2, The Pretenders, Eurythmics and even Run D.M.C.
The album was released in the late '80s, starting off as a simple fund-raiser for the Special Olympics, and has since spawned a series that has raised more than $55 million for the cause.
The CD starts off strong with the Pointer Sisters' rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and kicks into high gear when Bruce Springsteen takes over with "Merry Christmas Baby."
Most of the album's tracks are rather conservative covers of traditional tunes, but some highlights not to miss are Run D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis" and Madonna's Marilyn Monroe imitation in "Santa Baby."
-- Reviewed by Jason Cox
'The Beach Boys Christmas Album'
If "walking in a winter wonderland" stirs more feelings of seasonal depression than Yuletide joy, this is the Christmas album for you. Full of lush harmonies and overwhelmingly catchy tunes, the Beach Boys manage to make Christmas a warm weather holiday.
Historically speaking, The Beach Boys' Christmas Album falls right before what is often considered the group's three best albums, culminating with Pet Sounds.
And it's apparent from the first five songs, which are all originals, that Brian Wilson was in the process of perfecting his songwriting, producing and use of bizarre instruments.
"Little Saint Nick" is probably the most recognizable song, as it has become a standard in its own right. But it is the weakest of Wilson's original songs, sounding like a holiday-themed reworking of "Little Deuce Coupe."
The band adds a little humor, with "Santa's Beard," a song about department store Santas being the "real" Santa's helpers. "The Man With All The Toys" and "Merry Christmas, Baby" both show off intricate harmonies and some interesting orchestration, including a crazy-sounding polka organ solo.
Aside from the Brian Wilson originals, the Beach Boys also offer some summer-inflected standards with "Frosty the Snowman," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and an a capella "Auld Lang Syne."
You'll be dreaming of a sandy Christmas in no time.
--Reviewed by Bryan Farrell
'The Jethro Tull Christmas Album'
If any band can pull off a prog-rock Christmas album, it's Jethro Tull.
Somehow the group's folkier flute stylings are more suited to the tone of Christmas than say Geddy Lee's glass shattering vocals. But what really makes this album interesting is that it isn't some classic rock relic from the '70s, it's Jethro Tull's latest offering.
As lead singer and principal flutist Ian Anderson described in a recent letter on the band's Web site (and one time album title J-Tull.com), "The aim was to find some uplifting traditional Christmas carols, some new songs and to re-record some old Tull pieces on the Christmas topic."
With that relative goal in mind, Anderson resurrected the old Tull tunes "Fire at Midnight," "Ring Out Solstice Bells" and "Weathercock" from two of their more celebrated albums Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses. It would take a real Tull-head to find fault with these reworkings, as they fit right in with the seasonal theme.
There are some new ones as well, including "Birthday Card At Christmas" with a killer flute lick and the perplexing lyrics "Hey there, sweet baby Jesus/Let's share a birthday card with you."
Despite some scattered religious remarks and the revised standard "We Five Kings," Anderson maintains his stance on Christmas is purely nostalgic and meant to stir up images of "festive occasion and family togetherness."
And he is probably right. This is an album the generation that coined the term "classic rock" can enjoy with its parents.
-- Reviewed by Bryan Farrell
