Wrangler Dani

Yeppers, folks, it’s finally here. We’ve eaten turkey and we’ve fought our way through the Black Friday crowds (was that just me? C’mon, do NONE of you have a sense of adventure?) and we’re happily snuggled in to Starbucks-red-cup, fattening-baked-goods, pretty-bows and sappy-song season. I’m not gonna lie, I really really love almost all of the sappy songs played around this time, and I could kinda sing traditional carols (circa 1794) for all of December.  So, what I’m saying is, take my Christmas album recs with a grain of salt. Or, I have impeccable taste. It’s like an election, because YOU decide!

Album #1 – Amy Grant’s “A Christmas Album”. OK, I know. You hear the first techno-chords of “Emmanuel” and you think of dancing around the house in your bunny slippers in 1983, which isn’t necessarily what you want to go back to every Christmas. I hesitate to show my cards here, but I was kindof, um, born around this time, so I remember more about footie PJs and way-too-early-Christmas-Eve-bedtimes. My point is, this is a Christmas album that’s a wee bit dated. BUT IT’S A CLASSIC. Tennessee Christmas?! Hark the Herald with a synthesized piano?! It’s not Christmas without Amy, y’all. I dare you to listen to this album without loving it, and if you by some strange devilry you win that dare, please don’t tell me or my heart might break.

Album #2 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “The Lost Christmas Eve”. The most head-bang-y of TSO’s albums, it’s passionate and melodramatic and one of the few Christmas albums that makes you want to roll down the window and drive fast. I love it. It’s on repeat all season long.

Album #3 – The Sing-Off. I’m including last year’s Harmonies for the Holidays and this year’s Songs of the Season in this, BECAUSE I CAN. It’s acapella jams at their most doo-woppy and traditional, so of course it makes me all schmoopy and happy without even breaking a sweat. The only complaint I have is that there are a few songs (ahem “Up On the Housetop” ahem) that need to be permanently retired from all the airwaves of all the times.

Album #4 – A Christmas Together. This is the creation of several SoCal musicians, worship pastors and the like, and I find their music video oddly hilarious. We went to their concert last year, sitting in a dim bar, nursing a beer and hearing the true story of Christmas, told by several scruffy guitarists with along with several hundred other sweaty seekers was one of the most spiritual experiences of my entire “sacred season”.

Album #5 – “A Very She & Him Christmas.” I feel so hipster-ish for even mentioning this, but it really is worth the too-cool-for-school hype. It’s spare and sincere and refreshing. No poppy belting of commericalized anthems, here. I’m obviously not even cool enough to recommend it, since multiple cheesy albums won higher places on the list, so that’s all I’ll say.

Album #6 – “The Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs.” Again, I’m really not cool enough for this album, seeing as how I was mostly excited to listen to it again this year now that I “know” Sara Bareilles from The Sing-Off. BUT! In my defense! I have loved this album every Christmas for at least three years, during the dark Nicole Scherzinger years on The Sing-Off. No? No redemption? OK, fine; be cooler than me, I don’t care.

Album #7 – Jars of Clay’s “Christmas Songs”. This album perfectly embodies the ache of celebrating beauty and hope in an often unfair and ugly world. It’s haunting and restrained and somehow joyful all at once. Great.

Album #8 – Straight No Chaser’s “Christmas Cheers”. This is another acapella classic. Don’t roll your eyes at me! You’ll like them. So cute. Promise. Here, a video!

Album #9 – Bryan Duncan’s “Christmas is Jesus”. If you suspected I was going to suggest an Amy Grant album as an all-time great (and you agree), than you probably know who Bryan Duncan is. My dad is a longtime fan of one of Christian music’s first superstars, and his Christmas album delivers amazingly. Dude has a nearly unbelievable range and uses it to great effect on both traditional and original songs. My personal favorite is his cover of The Eagles’ “Please Come Home for Christmas”. Melancholy with a touch a self-deprecating humor. Pure gold.

Album #10 – Casting Crown’s “Peace on Earth”. Really pretty instrumental moments, worshipful songs. A good centering album for when we’re tempted to think that the season is all about glittery plastic snowflakes and pictures with Santa at the mall.

I’m feeling happy and festive already. What are your favorite Christmas albums? I’m sure I’m missing something awesome, and I need you to tell me about it.