Nothing makes the holidays special like music. Here are some new tunes to make your season bright.
Cheap: Happy Christmas, Vol. 4 – Fourteen of today’s rock bands come together for a record full of Christmas spirit and spunk. Imagine the drummer of Underoath and the singer of The Starting Line singing a rocking original titled “Yule Be Sorry” and you get a sample of the songs presented here. Others include great covers by Hawk Nelson, Anberlin and Mae as well as superb originals from Switchfoot, Emery, Number One Gun and Relient K. ($13.99)
Moderate: It’s a Wonderful Christmas by Michael W. Smith – Possibly my favorite Christmas artist, good ole’ Smitty outdid himself with his third holiday collection. Half of the songs are instrumental, and every song is backed by a huge orchestra at the Abbey Road Recording Studio, simultaneously feeling like holiday staples, haunting film scores and century-old concertos. With no dull moments, this album is great enough to savor year-round.
(amazon.com – all 3 Christmas albums for $20)
Expensive: Stereo Box Set by The Beatles – Love them or hate them, The Beatles had such a crazy history that they truly do have something to offer everyone. Now the entire Beatles catalogue can be offered as a gift to a beloved (veeerrrry beloved) in its newly remastered form. (amazon.com – $175.49)
