Christmas Music Review

When Jenn was a junior in high school, she had this brilliant idea that she would get one new Christmas album each year.  We now pick out a new album together each year as a part of our anniversary celebration in the middle of November.  At this point, we've gathered a pretty good collection, so we thought that some of you out there might like to know what we've got and how good (or bad!) it is.  

So, Jenn and I each independently rated each album on a scale of 1 to 5, and then we took the average of our scores.  Here is the resulting ranking, from best to worst:

Artist: Frank Sinatra

Album: Christmas Through the Years

Rating: 5

Best Song(s):  "Homesick, That's All," "Mistletoe and Holly," all of the rest

Comments: You can't get more classic than this album.  Frank serves up a lot of great Christmas hymns, and mixes in a few fun ones as well.  Jenn always get a little teary-eyed listening to "Homesick, That's All," one of the best, least-known Christmas songs out there.

Artist: The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Album: Christmas with the Rat Pack

Rating: 5

Best Song(s):  "I Believe," "Jingle Bells"

Comments:  Okay, if you're the kind of person that doesn't like Frank Sinatra, maybe you should just stop reading this post right now.  We happen to think that the Rat Pack = the perfect Christmas music.  They've got plenty of fast, fun numbers, but they're able to mix in some slower ones as well.  Even better, the Rat Pack sings the classics just how they're supposed to be; they don't ruin them with extra frills.  You just can't help but sing along!

Artist: Relient K

Album: Let it Snow Baby . . . Let it Reindeer

Rating: 5

Best Song(s): "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)"

Comments: We gave three albums the full five stars, and you might think it's kind of odd that Relient K is one of those three.  Something about this album is just so good!  Relient K is able to add a bit of a rock sound, but they still take the songs seriously.  Somehow, they were able to modernize some of the songs without ruining them.  Also, they've written a few Christmas originals that are actually thought-provoking and compelling.  Even better, we never skip any of the songs on this album.

Artist: Bing Crosby

Album: The Voice of Christmas

Rating: 4.75

Best Song(s):  "Christmas is A-Comin'," "Here Comes Santa Claus"

Comments: Here we are back with another classic voice from the big band era.  This two-disc album has all the Bing you'll need, and it's a must-own.  It only just missed out on the full 5 stars because it's got like 8 versions of White Christmas, which is a bit much.  But Bing's ensembles with the Andrews Sisters are smokin' good, and he's also got plenty of great Christmas songs you've probably never heard.

Artist: James Taylor

Album: At Christmas

Rating: 4.25

Best Song(s): "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "River"

Comments: We heart James!  His "Have Yourself..." is the purest version we've ever heard, and "River" is really exceptional.  Lots of classics that are really well done (except for "Jingle Bells," which you can safely skip).

Artist: The Carpenters

Album: Christmas Portrait

Rating: 4

Best Song(s): "It's Christmas Time," "The Christmas Waltz"

Comments:  This is the first album that Jenn bought, and we've gotten a lot of use out of it.  The Carpenters sound different from any of our other albums, so they're a nice change of pace.  There isn't a bad song on the album either.  

Artist: Julie Andrews

Album: Christmas with Julie Andrews

Rating: 3.5

Best Song(s): "In the Bleak Midwinter"

Comments: These are great to sing along to: simple, pure, and reverent enough for Sunday.

Artist: Sarah McLachlan

Album: Wintersong

Rating: 3.5

Best Song(s): "Happy Xmas (War is Over)," "River"

Comments: This is the perfect CD to wind down after a stressful day of Holiday preparations.  It's soothing, rich, and lovely.

Artist: Jim Brickman

Album: The Gift

Rating: 3.25

Best Song(s): "Joy to the World"

Comments: We like the ones with only piano in them, which are most of the songs.  Great album for some nice background music.

Artist: Vince Guaraldi

Album: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Rating: 3

Best Song(s): "Linus and Lucy"

Comments: This soundtrack takes us back to the days of our childhood.  It's got some fun, jazzy, instrumental music that sets a nice Christmas mood.

Artist: Various Artists

Album: The #1 Christmas Album

Rating: 3

Best Song(s): "Deck the Halls"

Comments: Unfortunately, this isn't our #1 Christmas Album, in spite of its title.  But it's still a good one.  It's an opera and choral compilation, including Placido Domingo and other opera singers that you've probably not heard of.  Overall, a solid album for when you're feeling you need a little culture.

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Elf: Music from the Motion Picture

Rating: 2.75

Best Song(s): "Pennies From Heaven," "Sleigh Ride"

Comments: This one has a few great songs on it, but somehow we don't seem to put it on as often as many of our other CDs.  Still, if you're ever in the mood for some Passion Fruit Spray, this is a good choice.

Artist: Barbra Streisand

Album: A Christmas Album

Rating: 2.75

Best Song(s): "Jingle Bells?"

Comments: I was surprised the Barbra ended near the bottom of our list, because it's a decent album.  "Jingle Bells?" is really one of the best versions of the song ever.  I think that the rest of the songs on the album are just a little too slow for me, with a lot of long, held out notes that seem to never end.  I guess that's Barbra Streisand for you, eh?

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Yule Groove

Rating: 1

Best Song(s): The first one?

Comments: Anyone else have this free demo CD from American Eagle Outfitters?  Are any of Jenn's roommates still reading this post?  Well, the next time you're hosting a Christmas-themed club dancing party, this is definitely the go-to album.