Christman Tunes for all Ye Merry Angelenos

Christmas music isn’t for everyone, but it should be. Just pretend to suspend your commercialized disbelief and revel in the merriment and mirth of the season. At one time or another a Christmas song probably meant something to you. At the very least it’s fossilized nostalgia. Maybe your parents played the shit out of their old Christmas records for every youthful December you can remember. Maybe that’s the reason you hate Christmas music. For me, it’s the reason I still love it.

My parents had an old record player they used once a year…on Christmas. There was one album in particular that etched its old fashioned harmonies in my fertile mind and initiated a lifelong fondness for holiday tunes. Now I haven’t heard this since I was 9, but if pressed back in 1988, ‘The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas’ would have been my choice for the greatest Christmas album of all time. I’m not kidding. It might be awful now, but judging from the picture I’m optimistic.

This Christmas why not indulge in the best and or worst Christmas music has to offer…just let it all in. Grab a cup of cider or hot cocoa and sit down with my five favorite Christmas albums of all time. Or just ring your folks and ask what’s in their record player.

5. The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas (Remember, I’m endorsing this as an 8 year old who longed for Alf dolls and rayon shirts)

4. Chris Isaak Christmas (’Mele Kalikimaka’ makes you wanna…fill in the blank)

3. My Morning Jacket Does Xmas E.P. (‘I Just Wanted to Say’ is a warm and gorgeous tune to compliment your cocoa)

2. Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas (5 e.p.’s of original and cover Xmas tunes…check out ‘Sister Winter’)

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (If you can’t get down with Vince Guaraldi’s masterpiece then you’re permanently on the naughty list)