1 of 3

No matter your musical style, there's certainly a new Christmas album just for you in 2009. This year's new holiday choices include everything from vintage soul to modern worship, from light rock to indie pop, from bluegrass to contemplative folk—it's all here. CT music writer Andrew Greer sorted through piles of records to review this season's great, the not-so-great, and the, well, let's just say some might deserve a humbug.

Starting with the cream of the crop …

Downhere How Many Kings? (Centricity)

Style: Pop-sensitive rock 'n' roll; compare to Ben Folds Five and U2

Top tracks: "Silent Night," "What Child Is This?"

Taking a hint from radio's hefty support of last year's Christmas-themed single, Downhere decided to back up the buzz with a full-fledged holiday album. Known for their high-energy live show and tight production, the Canadian rockers take it one step further, using the "most wonderful time of the year" to pull out all the stops, i.e., a jiving honky-tonk piano, some jolly tubas and festive funk-rock arrangements. But it is the quiet haunt of "Silent Night" and the hallowed, Simon & Garfunkel-ish treatment of "What Child Is This?", partially sung in French, that make this album a holiday shining star.

Ayiesha Woods Christmas Like This (Gotee)

Style: Vintage R&B/soul; compare to Lou Rawls, Indie.Arie, Alicia Keys

Top tracks: "Merry Christmas Baby," "O Come All Ye Faithful"

With a bluesy rasp that could warm even Scrooge's cold heart, soul singer/songwriter Ayiesha Woods' first Christmas record is full of fun and faith.  Roasting the season with both sacred and secular tunes, Christmas Like This seamlessly interweaves pop standards and classic hymns. Listen especially for her perfect blend of gospel and symphonic in the clanging chimes, string pizzicatos, and deep vibrato of a black gospel choir in "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Bifrost Arts Salvation Is Created (Sounds Familyre)

Style: Haunting indie pop; compare to Sufjan Stevens, David Crowder, Starflyer 59

Top tracks: "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella," "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Giving sacred music an indie makeover, producers Isaac Wardell and Mason Neely corral a list of like-minded artists (Ben + Vesper, Sarah Fullen, and Derek Webb to name a few) to journey through the eerie nights of Christmas past in an attempt to give it context for Christmas present and hope for Christmas future. Re-imagining liturgical carols with every instrumental vice possible, the setlist plays like a medieval soundtrack, magically capturing the beautiful irony of the gospel story. Think Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas with the life-changing message of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Sandi Patty Christmas LIVE (Stylos)

Style: Symphonic pop; compare to Andrea Bocelli, Michael W. Smith, Barbra Streisand

Top tracks: "The Prayer," "O Holy Night"

Having shared her popular Christmas road show in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the White House, Sandi Patty is a holiday performance pro. So it is only fitting she'd follow her trio of best-selling holiday recordings with a live taping of her touring tradition. Backed by a full symphony and choir, plus her tight-knit band, the decorated singer cheers a sold-out cathedral with her trademark musicianship. And though Patty can charm and croon with the best, it is her ability to gloriously raise the rafters on carols like "I Heard the Bells" and "O Holy Night" that give this CD/DVD special distinction.

next page... |  1 of 3