Jingle All The Way: Alternative Christmas Albums

Christmas music is a staple of the holiday season, but sometimes the same old classic albums can get a bit stale. If you're looking to shake things up this year, consider giving alternative Christmas albums a try. These albums offer a fresh spin on traditional holiday tunes, often blending genres and styles to create something entirely new and exciting.

From punk rock to electronic, and from indie folk to hip-hop, alternative Christmas albums are out there waiting to be discovered. In this article, we'll explore some of the best alternative Christmas albums out there, and dive into what makes them so special.

What Makes an Alternative Christmas Album?

So, what exactly makes an alternative Christmas album? For starters, it's often a non-traditional take on classic holiday tunes. This can mean everything from punk rock versions of "Jingle Bells" to electronic remixes of "Silent Night". Alternative Christmas albums often blend genres and styles, creating something entirely new and exciting.

Another key characteristic of alternative Christmas albums is their willingness to take risks. These albums often feature unconventional instruments, experimental production techniques, and even entirely new compositions. The result is an album that's as much about artistic expression as it is about holiday cheer.

Alternative Christmas Albums: A Guide

So, where do you start when it comes to alternative Christmas albums? Here are a few essential albums to get you started:

• Bad Religion - Christmas Songs: This punk rock take on classic holiday tunes is a must-listen for fans of the genre. With their signature harmonies and catchy hooks, Bad Religion brings a whole new level of energy to the holiday season.
• Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas: This indie folk masterpiece is a beautifully arranged collection of original compositions and traditional tunes. With its soothing melodies and poignant lyrics, Songs for Christmas is the perfect album for a quiet night in by the fire.
• The Fall - A Wise and Just King: This experimental album from post-punk legends The Fall is a true original. With its avant-garde soundscapes and Mark E. Smith's signature deadpan vocals, A Wise and Just King is a holiday album like no other.

Electronic Christmas Albums: A New Wave of Holiday Cheer

Electronic Christmas albums are a rapidly growing genre, and for good reason. With their futuristic soundscapes and infectious beats, these albums are the perfect way to get your holiday party started.

• Bing Crosby - Christmas Classics (Remixed): This collection of classic Bing Crosby tracks remixed by electronic artists is a game-changer. With its modern production and timeless vocals, Christmas Classics is the perfect album for fans of both old and new.
• Four Tet - Christmas: This ambient electronic masterpiece is the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing holiday evening. With its soothing textures and hypnotic rhythms, Christmas is an album that will transport you to another world.
• Moby - iTunes Holiday Sampler: This exclusive EP from electronic legend Moby features a selection of original compositions and traditional tunes reworked in his signature style. With its eclectic sound and festive atmosphere, the iTunes Holiday Sampler is a must-listen for fans of electronic music.

Hip-Hop and R&B Christmas Albums: A Fresh Take on Holiday Classics

Hip-hop and R&B Christmas albums are another rapidly growing genre, and for good reason. With their smooth beats and soulful vocals, these albums bring a whole new level of sophistication to the holiday season.

• Kanye West - Christmas in Harlem: This smooth R&B take on classic holiday tunes features Kanye West's signature soulful vocals and innovative production. With its jazzy soundscapes and catchy hooks, Christmas in Harlem is the perfect album for fans of hip-hop and R&B.
• Alicia Keys - Santa Baby: This sultry R&B take on the classic Eartha Kitt track is a holiday classic in the making. With its smooth vocals and sophisticated production, Santa Baby is the perfect album for a romantic holiday evening.
• Snoop Dogg - Christmas in the Dogg House: This funky hip-hop take on classic holiday tunes features Snoop Dogg's signature smooth vocals and infectious beats. With its laid-back atmosphere and catchy hooks, Christmas in the Dogg House is the perfect album for a fun holiday party.

Punk Rock Christmas Albums: A High-Energy Holiday Soundtrack

Punk rock Christmas albums are the perfect way to add some high-energy excitement to your holiday season. With their fast-paced rhythms and rebellious spirit, these albums are sure to get you in the mood for some holiday chaos.

• The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight): This classic punk rock take on holiday tunes features The Ramones' signature fast-paced rhythms and catchy hooks. With its high-energy atmosphere and rebellious spirit, Merry Christmas is the perfect album for fans of punk rock.
• The Vandals - Oi to the World!: This humorous take on classic holiday tunes features The Vandals' signature witty lyrics and catchy melodies. With its lighthearted atmosphere and infectious hooks, Oi to the World! is the perfect album for fans of punk rock and comedy.
• No Doubt - O Holy Night: This ska-punk take on the classic holiday tune features No Doubt's signature energetic rhythms and catchy hooks. With its upbeat atmosphere and festive spirit, O Holy Night is the perfect album for fans of ska and punk rock.

Indie Folk Christmas Albums: A Cozy Holiday Soundtrack

Indie folk Christmas albums are the perfect way to create a cozy and intimate holiday atmosphere. With their soothing melodies and poignant lyrics, these albums are sure to warm your heart and soothe your soul.

• Bon Iver - Blood Bank (Christmas Edition): This critically-acclaimed indie folk album features Bon Iver's signature ethereal soundscapes and haunting vocals. With its introspective atmosphere and poignant lyrics, Blood Bank is the perfect album for fans of indie folk and introspective music.
• Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal: This harmony-rich indie folk take on classic holiday tunes features Fleet Foxes' signature lush vocals and acoustic soundscapes. With its soothing atmosphere and catchy hooks, White Winter Hymnal is the perfect album for fans of indie folk and harmony-rich music.
• Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas: This beautifully arranged collection of original compositions and traditional tunes features Sufjan Stevens' signature soothing melodies and poignant lyrics. With its introspective atmosphere and emotional depth, Songs for Christmas is the perfect album for fans of indie folk and introspective music.

Alternative Christmas Albums: A Final Word

Alternative Christmas albums are a rapidly growing genre, and for good reason. With their non-traditional takes on classic holiday tunes, experimental production techniques, and willingness to take risks, these albums offer a fresh spin on the holiday season.

Whether you're a fan of punk rock, electronic, indie folk, or hip-hop, there's an alternative Christmas album out there for you. So why not give one a try this year? With their unique soundscapes and infectious energy, alternative Christmas albums are sure to add some excitement to your holiday season.