Possibly the most controversial, yet redundant, debate that I find myself sucked into each year around this time is one of passion, discord, and unnecessary rage. This debate concerns when it is acceptable to begin listening to Christmas music. In my humble opinion, any Christmas music before Thanksgiving is a bit overkill. But, once the leftover turkey is in the fridge and the Christmas tree is standing at its' proper glory, you better believe I'm cranking Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer at maximum volume.
No matter what side of the debate you choose, I think we can all agree that there is a plethora of Christmas music to sift through. That's where I come in. Without further ado, here are my five favorite Christmas albums of all time:
1. Elvis' Christmas Album by Elvis Presley
Naturally, The King, is at the top of my list. There's nothing like seductive hip thrusts and the crooning sound of Presley's version of Blue Christmas to warm you up for the holidays. This album has a beautifully-balanced blend of Presley's two signature sounds: rock n' roll mixed with softer, gospel-focused tracks. The album shifts from fun-loving, Santa-themed jams to elegant, heartfelt ballads. Elvis' Christmas Album can be played from beginning to end without any skips, which is perfect for your upcoming Christmas party. But, don't thank me. Thank The King.
2. Christmas by Michael Bublé
Even though this album was released only five years ago, it is well on it's way to becoming a classic. Bublé proves himself to be incredibly versatile by including a variety of well-known holiday hits. His tone ranges from the festive seductiveness of Santa Baby to the captivating glory of Ave Maria. Bublé brings warmth, joy, and just the right amount of sauciness to the holiday genre in this well-rounded album.
3. Christmas With the Rat Pack by The Rat Pack
Don't let the off-putting name fool you. This group consists of three artists that are as classic as Santa Claus on a Coca-Cola can. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. combine their talents to create a compilation of Christmas classics. Nothing can top Martin's version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Davis's The Christmas Song. While listening to this album, I am transported back in time to Christmas's of the past...and then I can't help but wonder: why did they name themselves The Rat Pack? The world may never know. Anyhow, these guys produced one hell of a Christmas album, which is why it landed a spot in my lineup.
4. The Beach Boys' Christmas Album by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys bring their relaxed melodies and near-hypnotic harmonies to their one and only Christmas album. The album kicks off with five original songs, including the extremely catchy, Little Saint Nick, which seems to be describing a young Santa Claus going on a sledding adventure in the North Pole. How adorable! The Beach Boys snagged a spot in my top five by capturing the happy-go-lucky, sunny image of what I would imagine Christmas in California to be like. The tracks are bouncy, bubbly, and upbeat...all up until the last song, Auld Lang Syne. This Scottish tune is typically associated with New Years Eve, and the title translates to "times gone by". The Beach Boys' rendition of this song includes a personalized message from Denny, wishing everyone listening a Merry Christmas. This may be a bit on the cheesy side, but this Beach Boy fan definitely appreciated it.
5. Under the Mistletoe by Justin Bieber
Yes, the almighty Biebs snuck his way into my lineup. What can I say? I'm a sucker for the hair flip (keep in mind he released this before he went rogue and cut off his glorious locks). In all seriousness, Bieber's album is a force to be reckoned with. Bieber combines original songs such as Under the Mistletoe and Fa La Lawith innovative renditions of classics such as Drummer Boy and All I Want For Christmas Is You. Bieber boats impressive featuring artists such as Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men, and Mariah Carey. Bieber and Busta Rhymes introduce wholesome rapping to the holiday genre in Drummer Boy, and to my great surprise, I welcome it with open arms. The entire album can be summed up in two words: fresh and dreamy. Now that I think of it, I would also describe Bieber with those exact same words.
Well, there you have it. The five best Christmas albums, according to this Christmas-obsessed nut. A couple honorable mentions would include: Christmas and Chill by Ariana Grande and A Pentatonix Christmas by Pentatonix.
Hopefully this list helps you appreciate all the magical Christmas music there is to offer, and avoid some of the less-magical Christmas music out there. *cough cough* My Kind of Christmas by Christina Aguilera *cough cough*.
