Holiday Albums

By ch1c0nta@ctus 12.10.2013 interact

Check out our selections of the greatest Christmas and Hanukkah albums of all time.

We went digging through the crates, the tinsel and the lights to find the old timey stuff that it just wouldn’t be the holidays without (Bing Crosby, we’re looking at you), as well as modern classics like the “O.C.”‘s Chrismukkah album.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Featuring: The Vince Guaraldi Trio Why it matters: Tracks like "Linus and Lucy" and "Christmastime is Here" have guaranteed warm fuzzies since the animated special's 1965 debut.

A Very Special Christmas Featuring: U2, Madonna and Run-DMC Why it matters: The first in the series of pop/rock holiday compilations featured classics like Madonna's "Santa Baby" and Whitney Houston's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

White Christmas Featuring: Bing Crosby Why it matters: Christmas is about tradition, and what's more traditional than good ole Der Bingle crooning "Silent Night"?

A Santa Cause Featuring: MXPX, Blink 182, Something Corporate Why it matters: Three words: punk rock Christmas. What better cure for mall burnout and cookie overload than 20 pop-punk tracks?

Hanukkah Rocks Featuring: The LeeVees Why it matters: It's fun, it's fresh, it does not feature accordions. Its They-Might-Be-Giants-ish guitars and smart lyrics make it a modern must-have.

Merry Christmas Featuring: Mariah Carey Why it matters: Say what you will about "Glitter" or her subsequent emancipation, but "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is the diva at her best.

Dr. Demento Presents: The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Featuring: The Chipmunks, Weird Al Why it matters: It's got all the goofy tracks you secretly love. C'mon. What's Christmas without "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"?

Christmas with Johnny Cash Featuring: The Man in Black Why it matters: Johnny manages to walk the line and put his inimitable stamp on classics like "Silent Night" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful."

The Christmas Song Featuring: Nat King Cole Why it matters: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire; Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Everybody's covered it, but Nat's version is the original and still the best.

Maybe This Christmas Tree Featuring: Death Cab For Cutie, Polyphonic Spree Why it matters: When the holidays aren't the most wonderful time of the year, muted indie tracks like DCC's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" set the right tone.

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