|
Spin only the best for your guests with these recent holiday releases.
 Retro: Jackson Five, Ultimate Christmas Collection
The King of Pop may have gone to meet his maker, but this collection of funky takes from his early years is a worthy tribute. It’s a nostalgic blast of Motown soul guaranteed to get things moving, especially the bonus remixes by modern DJs.
Favorite tracks: Santa Claus is Coming to Town; I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus; Up On the House Top
 Folk: Bob Dylan, Christmas In the Heart
Once you get over the idea of a guy named Robert Allen Zimmerman doing traditional Christian tunes, you’re left to deal with the thought that: hey, he’s pretty good at this. Dylan’s plaintive delivery and honky-tonk arrangements are well-suited to deliver these chestnuts.
Favorite tracks: Winter Wonderland; Must Be Santa; Here Comes Santa Claus
 Comedy: Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas
It’s not really something you can play in mixed company, but the Adult Swim staple will please hardcore fans, especially as Master Shake, Meatwad and Co. take a heretical, scatological take on Christmas songs, loading them up with boogers and lo-fi hip-hop beats.
Favorite tracks: I Sure Hope I Don’t Have to Beat Your A*s this Christmas; Frosty the Red-Nosed Snowman; Feliz Navidad
 Agnostic: Animal Collective, Fall Be Kind
There’s nothing to indicate that this is holiday record, but there’s nothing to indicate it isn’t, either. Either way, this Brooklyn-based band has something to celebrate, since they started the year by dropping one of the best-reviewed albums. This EP provides even more abstract atmospherics, best served after a lot of egg nog.
Favorite tracks: What Would I Want? Sky; Graze; I Think I Can
|
