Some Christmas CDs for Your Consideration

[Above: One of our favorite Christmas CDs with an awesome cover influence.]

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," they say. Certain seasonal releases make us inclined to agree. In fact, we thought, given the impending holiday, we might point you in the direction of some of our favorite and best-selling titles. Peruse the short list below and let us know what you need; we keep all of the below in stock at all times.

In the Christmas Groove: From the cover sticker, "Original stone cold soul, funk and rare grooves from Christmas paste, featuring rare festive 45s by Jimmy Reed, Wild Honey, The Harlem Children's Chorus, Zebra, Milly & Silly, Electric Jungle & more." It's so good, people.

Sting - If on a Winter's Night

Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart: Reviews have been pretty mixed on this one, from the raving to the, well, the not-at-all-raving. But hey, we all love a little Dylan right? Why not invite the jolly old man into your home like you do with Santa?

Trisha Yearwood - The Sweetest Gift

Where Will You Be Christmas Day?: It's a release from the ATL's own, Dust-to-Digital, which you know means we're psyched about it. From their description: "Just as Goodbye, Babylon showed the many sides of gospel music, Where Will You Be Christmas Day? shows many sides of Christmas – from Jesus born in the manger to Leroy Carr spending the holiday in jail. Some of the artists featured include Alabama Sacred Harp Singers, Butterbeans and Susie, Fiddlin' John Carson, Cotton Top Mountain Sanctified Singers, Lightnin' Hopkins, Los Jibaros, Kansas City Kitty, Lead Belly, Lord Executor, Maddox Brothers and Rose, and Bessie Smith. Together they provide a compelling contrast to the commercialized Christmas we know today."

Andrea Bocelli - My Christmas

James Brown - Christmas: Ten Christmas tracks from the Godfather of Soul for $9? You better believe it.

Sugarland - Green and Gold: Seems like, when people buy this, they can't buy just one. Most folks walk out of the store with somewhere between two and four. It's cool; we don't mind reordering them often.

Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas: Face it, superfans. Dude ain't making another state album. Why not instead enjoy this festive and nifty-looking box set? Plus, $21 for five discs is a crazy deal.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas: Question: What's better than a song called "Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking"? Answer: Said song features Neko Case.

Bright Eyes - A Christmas Album: We've only got three copies of this hard-to-find release, so get 'em while you can! Critical reactions to it are across-the-board positive.

Yule Be Miserable: From the back-of-the-album blurb: "'Tis the season to be jolly? Hardly! The holiday season is really the time for dysfunctional families, useless knickknacks, and expanding waistlines. Why fool yourself with the run-of-the-mill music of the season and its sugar-coated themes of love and understanding? Add a dash of reality to your holiday proceedings while thumbing your nose at the putrid sentimentality with music that cries out 'back out and leave me alone!'" Featuring songs from Louis Armstrong, Spike Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Aaron Neville, Billie Holiday and more.

Songs to Make Dogs Happy: Wait, what's that? Well, if it's not a Christmas title, then why do we have it facing out in the Christmas section? Sheesh!