Holiday Sound Check

Underground Garage head Little Steven – he of Bruce Springsteen and Sopranos fame – has gathered 20 of his favorite fun holiday songs. Some

are brilliant variations on the traditional, such as The Chevelles joyous instrumental surf romp through “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” dubbed here

“Come All Ye Faithful Surfer Girls.” Some are great originals, such as The Kinks fabulous garage pop number “Father Christmas” and The

Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Didn’t Want to Fight Tonight),” with singer Joey relaying a familiar holiday conundrum. Some are iconic, such as Keith

Richards making like Chuck Berry on “Run Rudolph Run.” Tough to say, but Joe Pesci ( “If It Doesn’t Snow on Christmas”) and The Electric Prunes

(“Jingle Bells”) are a waste of space. But ex-Move man Roy Wood’s Wizzard, performing the British Yuletide classic, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas

Every Day,” more than makes up for any skipable moments.

Sixpence None The Richer “The Dawn of Grace” (Nettwerk)

Christmas brings people together. Usually. Four years since they split, Nashville-based pop outfit Sixpence None The Richer, the band responsible

for the hit 1997 hit “Kiss Me,” reunited to make a Christmas album. A decidedly odd reason for a pop reunion, one that could smack of quick money

were it not for the fact that, following a summer tour and some Christmas performances, a non-seasonal album is set to follow next year. Either

way, this is a delightful collection of mostly traditional Christmas songs. The two Sixpence originals -- “The Last Christmas” and “Christmas for

Two” – blend into the disc’s lovely ethereal atmosphere. Jars of Clay singer Dan Haseltine duets on a pretty version of “Silent Night.” But mostly,

the focus is Leigh Nash’s coy, sweet voice and guitarist Matt Slocum’s delicate instrumentation. A warm, welcome Christmas get-together.

Chrisian Music News Source