Various Artists (xmas) - Maybe This Christmas Too?

I am trying to figure out why these “indie” Christmas albums get made. To truly commemorate the birth of the Messiah? To give the young people something to put on instead of their parent’s Bing Crosby Xmas album? To make money? Furthermore, around Christmas time, I light the candles on that eight-candle candelabra thing, so this is wasted on me, but I will try to see what I get out of it. I, too, can enjoy a modern day Christmas song that takes into account the style and talents of the artist (e.g., No Doubt’s “Oi to the World”, U2’s “Baby Please Come Home” and even Madonna’s “Santa Baby”). Spotlight on Christmas- Rufus Wainwright Ah, Rufus, you can sing the words on a cereal box, and your voice would make me swoon. +.5 points The Winter Song- Eisley I’m already biased. I love this band, and they wrote this song in their perfect, melodic, dazing way with some Christmas bells thrown in the background. +.5 O Holy Night- Avril Lavigne and Chanta Kreviazuk OK, I was gonna rip this apart because it’s Avril, but the fact is she doesn’t have the vocal abilities to pull this off. They even threw in some unknown singer to help her out, but no such luck. I prefer the Eric Cartman version. -1 point Silent Night- Lisa Hannigan Pretty much the standard. Sounds like every other version of this song ever done, and who am I to rip on a classic? 0 points Xmas Cake- Rilo Kiley Again, biased because I love Rilo Kiley, and they give a Xmas song the perfect blend of the depressed, haunting melodies with Jenny Lewis’ great voice that they do so well. +1 Donde Esta Santa Claus- Guster I am by no means a Guster fan, but this is something a little different, makes it a little quirky +.4 points Rudy- The Be Good Tonyas So insignificant I can’t even comment +0 Christmas Song- Dave Matthews Band I don’t know where the Band went, but it is just Dave jammin’ with his acoustic guitar. Good, if you like Dave Matthews +.01 points Go Tell It on The Mountain- Oh Sussana Can’t even comment. You will never listen to this track twice. +0 Green Christmas- Barenaked Ladies Sounds like your standard Barenaked Ladies song. So, if you like the BLs (and I don’t)… -.3 points It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Martina Sorbara Again, who I am to rip on a classic? Also, Martina has a sassy, jazzy voice that kicks this up a notch. +.2 points Donna & Blitzen- Badly Drawn Boy If you like suicide-inducing music on the holidays (and I know I do), then this is BDB at his best. +.6 points White Christmas- The Flaming Lips The famous tune with the infamous Flaming Lips trippy/ trance-like enhancement. Gives a little more flavor I guess. +.2 points The verdict. If you must, take this album out about December 23 and give it a spin. Return to storage on December 26 at 9am. [www.maybethisxmas.com]