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Top Five New Christmas Albums To Buy This Season

Monday – November 30, 2009 – 2:21pm

Us Weekly's music editor, Ian Drew, shares his picks among the very latest holiday music releases!

There are good and bad ways to do Christmas. Good? Lots of egg nog and lots more presents (anything electronic and rhyming with "phony" always works well at my pad).

And bad? Let's just say any variation of A Very Jerry Springer Christmas fills that category.

But when it comes to music, traditional nuggets -- key picks include "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells" and "Oh, Silent Night" -- jammed out by whatever artists float your boat are always an essential. So, how to choose between Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and, oh, Jim Nabors? Fear not, yuletide fans. These five brand-spanking new releases all provide something for everybody and make perfect stocking stuffers, too!

1. A Very Special Christmas, Volume 7
Talk about a yuletide smorgasboard! Have fond memories of Madonna's version of "Santa Baby" or, say, Stevie Nicks rocking out "Silent Night?" Now, your kids get their own chance to have the current spate of pop stars present their takes, from Miley Cyrus on "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Carrie Underwood's "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" And Ashley Tisdale gets down on "Last Christmas."

2. Sugarland, Gold and Green
Yeehaw! Country's favorite co-ed duo adds their twang to classics ("Winter Wonderland") and a bunch of their own ("Little Wood Guitar" and the title cut). If you're not exhausted from their recent live covers album, this is definitely worth a whirl.

3. The Priests, Harmony
How about a trio of singing clergyman for you traditionalists out there? This somber disc of real standards like "Amazing Grace," "Benedictus," King of Kings" and "The Lords Prayer" is enough to make you enjoy the actual religious aspects of the holiday.

4. Andrea Bocelli, My Christmas
In that vein but with a splash of Italian, the blind opera star leads everyone along in classics en Italia (try out the gorgeous "Caro Gesu Bambino" and "Adeste Fidelis") and behold the only Christmas songs that can break glass this season. How'd he manage to do that on "Santa Claus is Coming To Town?!"

5. REO Speedwagon, Not So Silent Night
The classic rockers couldn't fight the feeling to add their own spin to "The First Noel," "LIttle Drummer Boy" and, get this, a cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." Jingle bell rocks, indeed!

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  • December 21, 2009 - 5:19am Jason Says:

    One of the most original christmas music albums I've heard is Jazz Christmas. Check it out here:Jazz Christmas
  • December 07, 2009 - 4:32pm Elberta Paul Says:

    You should check out Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart. All proceeds go to Feeding America and you get to hear Christmas songs performed by a living legend.
  • December 01, 2009 - 7:15pm Michael Says:

    I've got MANY Christmas albums but I have to say the best is still Celine Dion's These Are Special Times. Classy and soothing with one of the best voices in music!
  • December 01, 2009 - 7:10am Tartan Army Member Says:

    Johnny Reid (Top Selling Canadian Country Artist) has an AMAZING Christmas CD!!!
  • November 30, 2009 - 9:35pm Alice Says:

    SHeDAISY's Brand New Year is the best Christmas album I've ever heard.
  • November 30, 2009 - 6:56pm Chris Says:

    "A Very Special Christmas, Volume 7" is a great CD! It has Kellie Pickler's outstanding version of "Santa Baby," the best ever recorded and blows Madonna's away vocally!
  • November 30, 2009 - 5:40pm sandra Says:

    miley cyrus and carrie underwood should kno each other really good cause since they r country singers from tennesse, and they grew up together!!
  • November 30, 2009 - 3:44pm Kellynn Says:

    I wouldn't be smiling either if I was standing next to that fame hungry Miley.