Festive Top Ten

So, since it's about 10 days until Christmas 2009, I thought I'd share what I've been listening to in my Christmas music mix, a lot of the time this holiday season. These are all relatively new CDs that have come out either this year, or sometime in the past few years. Nothing against all the classics, but I seem to have been drawn mostly to newer, more contemporary selections this Christmas Season.
So, here they are, in no particular order:

* Over the Rhine - Snow Angels (2006)
Americana folk blues pop. Mostly new songs here like the rocking 'Here It Is', 'Goodbye Charles' (instrumental tribute to Charles Schulz) and 'White Horse', which tells a story of the horse that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem paralleled to the white horse Jesus will ride in His second coming. Also among the twelve tracks, are two classics: 'Little Town (of Bethlehem)' and 'One Olive Jingle', which is their arrangement of 'Jingle Bells'. A totally unique recording with a groove all its own.

* Downhere - How Many Kings (2009)
What an incredible recording. Not only does it contain the inspiringly popular title track, but their versions of many Christmas classics are so fresh. Especially note-worthy are 'Good King Wenceslas', 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and 'What Child Is This'. Enjoyable too are the new songs 'Glory to God' and 'Christmas in Our Hearts'. Please pick this one up... I guarantee you will listen to it again and again.

* Family Force 5 - Christmas Pageant (2009)
If you don't have a disco ball, at least get a shiny, metallic glitter-tree while listening to this CD. Standout tracks are 'Wonderful Christmas Time', 'My Favorite Things', 'Little Drummer Boy', and 'Christmastime Is Here'. And daddy Jerome Olds joins them on the more serious track 'It's Christmas Day'. Sadly, they did not include 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer', which they made a music video for in 2006. All in all, unique and very fun.

* House Of Heroes - The Christmas Classics EP (2009)
Although this EP is only three tracks, they are quite stellar. The opener, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', is very similar to Mariah Carey's version, but more rocking, less poppy. 'Silent Night' is sweetly quiet and reverent. And the EP closes with 'O Come Emmanuel', which broods with great emotion and rocks out in the end. Fun stuff from this modern rock band. No disappointments here.

* Ayiesha Woods - Christmas Like This (2009)
This was a surprise. Not only did I not expect this release, but I was also surprised by her musical direction with this. Ayiesha brings the old school with a mostly Motown sound, but also includes a little reggae, doo wop, and classic R&B. I just love her voice and it fits so well with these styles. All classic Christmas songs here on this nine song digital album release. My favorites are 'Rudolph', 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells'.



* Various Artists - "X" Christmas (2008)
mostly modern edgy remakes of classics and some originals:
01. 'Jingle Bell' Rock by Thousand Foot Krutch
02. 'Gloria' by Hawk Nelson
03. 'Little Drummer Boy' by The Almost
04. 'Evergreen' by Switchfoot
05. 'Feliz Navidad' by David Crowder*Band
06. 'Christmas, Baby Please Come Home' by Anberlin
07. 'Mary Did You Know' by Kutless
08. 'Christmas Shoes' by Fm Static
09. 'Love Came Down At Christmas' by Jars Of Clay
10. 'This Time Of The Year' by Project 86
11. 'Do You Hear What I Hear' by Seventh Day Slumber
12. 'Silent Night' by Sanctus Real
13. 'Carol Of The Bells' by August Burns Red
14. 'It's Christmas Time' by Kj-52
15. 'His Favorite Christmas Story' by Capital Lights
16. 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' by Jaymes Reunion
17. 'Angels We Have Heard On High' by Corey Crowder
I really love this Tooth and Nail rock stuff!

* BarlowGirl - Home For Christmas (2008)
Okay, last year's offering from BarlowGirl was a departure from their own unique sound to mostly traditional orchestration for this holiday fare. Their guitars are gone here, but the vocals soar, with nice instrumentation and a classic crispness. My favorites are 'Carol Of The Bells', 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and the new track 'Hallelujah, Light Has Come'. I still dig this CD, even if it was released a year ago.

* Leigh Nash - Wishing for This EP (2006)
Leigh, being the front-woman for Sixpence None The Richer, has always impressed me with her recordings, even the scattered Christmas songs contributed to various holiday soundtracks. But this seven song digital EP especially wows me. A departure, for the most part, from her signature sound, this has rarer classics and newly written songs, with only one sacred carol. The new tunes 'Eternal Gifts', 'Maybe This Christmas' and the title track are clever and thought-provoking. 'O Holy Night' is without a doubt beautiful and simple. Then there's 'Last Christmas', which is better than George Michael's version, the horn-infused 'Baby Its Cold Outside' with guest vocals by Gabe Dixon, and finally she channels her inner Dolly Parton to successfully pull off 'Hard Candy Christmas'. Sure, I like Sixpence's Christmas project "The Dawn Of Grace", but I seem to be drawn more to this unique mix of pop/country/jazz on Leigh's little EP. Maybe if I do a shuffle mix of both projects...

* Relient K - Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer (2007)
This eighteen song project from RK is brilliant. It contains modern versions of 'Deck The Halls', '12 Days Of Christmas' and 'Sleigh Ride'. Then there's well-written originals like the Ben Folds sounding
'I Celebrate The Day', punk rocking 'Santa Claus Is Thumbing To Town' and the Narnia inspired 'In Like A Lion (Always Winter)'. And if you get the digital version, you receive three more tracks: 'Silver Bells', 'O Holy Night' and 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'. So, that's 21 songs total!! All I have to say is that with Relient K's spin on the holidays, this proves to be their best. And I'm not kidding when I say this CD has me laughing and crying from beginning to end. A+++++

* Don Peris - Brighter Visions Beam Afar (2007)
Don Peris is the longtime and current guitarist for The Innocence Mission. This however, is a solo instrumental project of Christmas hymns quietly played on just guitar, with barely any other accompaniment. It is very laid back, lush and crisp. And Don's beautiful chiming guitar is a soothing, atmospheric lullaby for a cozy December night in front of the fireplace. You will find great renditions of 'Silent Night', 'Angels We Have Heard On High' and 'O Come All Ye Faithful'. I also like the more obscure 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring', 'O Sanctissima' and 'Lo, How A Rose'. Unfortunately, you do not hear his wife Karen's vocals on any of these lovely tunes. Which is why I am hoping for a full-fledged Innocence Mission Christmas CD to be released in the near future. In the meantime, here is a live studio performance video of 'Away In A Manger' to enjoy instead. And be sure to check out "Brighter Visions Beam Afar" available at Don Peris's website. It's good stuff.

and two new singles that I just LOVE...

* Matthew West - 'Give This Christmas Away' (2009)
Such a timeless message in this song. Whether I'm listening to the radio or my CD, I always turn this one up and sing along in the car. You will find this track on both the expanded version of his "The Motions" album and the VeggieTales soundtrack to the "Saint Nicholas" DVD. Also note that Matthew West has written a companion book called "101 Simple and Thoughtful Ways to Give This Christmas Away". This is the true Spirit of Christmas here.

* Stephanie Smith - 'Jingle Bell Rock' (2009)
In November, Stephanie released a five song EP, and also released this single the same day. What great energy this artist has. Her rockin' rendition of this well-known Christmas tune does it justice and brings the beat. Producer Jamie Moore and Ms. Smith definitely score big with me on this one. I can't stop playing it! And watch for her on the Gospel Music Channel as she teams up with Compassion International for part of their "Christmas of Compassion" show, as well as the Winter Wonder Slam Tour in early 2010.