To be perfectly honest, I loath most Christmas music. I will do the majority of my Christmas shopping online simply because going into stores playing Christmas music on a never-ending loop makes me want to buy everyone earplugs and vodka as gifts. For that reason, I am constantly on the lookout for "acceptable" Christmas tunes. For example, Leon Redbone's album Christmas Island? Fantastic. Julian Casablancas' jam "I Wish It Was Christmas Today"? Solidly listenable. Jessie Baylin's sexy "Mrs. Christmas"? Very nice. Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From The Family"? Legend! Probably the best. I suppose we can now throw Holmes' "There'll Be No Christmas Without You" (mp3) in there. A little sappy, but it sure beats "Jingle Bells" on repeat. You almost forget that it is a Christmas song, which is the way Christmas songs should play out. Any other suggestions?
