Yes, I know the feeling very well. All you want to do is go to the
grocery store. Or the bank. Or the doctor. But no matter where you go,
you cannot escape the Christmas carols that make you want to pull your
hair out and throw all the ornaments in the fire. Christmas music is
annoying. This is why I have set out to find you the best, most
original, most fun Christmas music to listen to this year. I have
chosen three of my favorites to share with you today. Enjoy them!
(They're really quite good, I promise.)First of all, if you have never
heard of Relient K, then you are missing out. Their Christmas album,
Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand, is a great mix of both traditional
Christmas songs (done Relient K-style) and original songs. Tracks
like "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
are done in Relient K's traditional punk rock style, and they are great
fun to listen to. They even do a funny version of "The Twelve Days of
Christmas" that almost manages to not be annoying (but really, I think
that song is inherently annoying). Their version of
Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" is just the way I like it - energetic and
a bit manic! The two best tracks on the album are original Relient K
songs. "I Hate Christmas Parties" is a subtle, piano-driven track that
is a pleasure to listen to, even if the theme is a bit depressing. "I
Celebrate the Day" is possibly the best Christmas song I've ever heard.
It is heartfelt and beautiful; I'll be honest - it makes me cry a
little, simply because its simplistic honesty draws such a beautiful
picture of the birth of Jesus. It's great. Just great. The album is
exclusively available for download online, either from iTunes or CBD.
Next up is Christmas With the Rat Pack. What do I really need to say
about this album? It's Christmas songs, sung by members of the Rat
Pack. Classic.Find the album on iTunes or Amazon.com.Lastly, my
Christmas season would just not be complete without Sufjan Stevens'
Songs For Christmas. Throughout the 5 EPs contained in this boxed set,
Sufjan mixes some traditional Christmas songs and hymns with some very
original tracks. I know some people think that all of Sufjan's music
sounds the same, and it's true that Sufjan has a very distinctive
sound, but these albums really show quite a variety in styles. From the
banjo-driven "Amazing Grace" to the piano version of "Lo! How a Rose
E'er Blooming" to the almost full-blown rock "Hey Guys! It's Christmas
Time!", the albums present over two hours of music that never get
boring. The second EP contains my favorite ever version of "Come Thou
Fount of Every Blessing", which is beautiful and a bit ethereal in its
simplicity. "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!" and "Did I Make You
Cry On Christmas" are two of the best original tracks, maybe because
they most effectively display Sufjan's distinctive sound. Don't buy
this album on iTunes, because if you get the physical boxed set, it
comes with some great extras, including a songbook with lyrics and
short stories, stickers, and a poster of Sufjan. You can get the album
from Sufjan's website. If you're looking for original Christmas music,
this is about as original as you're going to get, so go get it! And
enjoy!Alright, enjoy the albums. Get in the festive spirit. In the
words of Sufjan Stevens, "Come on! Let's boogey to the elf dance!"Dr. J

--
Posted By Jill to Jill's Life Updates and Random Thoughts at 12/07/2006
08:50:00 PM