Rockin' Around the Christmas Twee

Sparkler camip0p has become one of the ultimate sources for good music around here, so we were thrilled when she put together this post of fun, new holiday tunes! —SparkNotes editors

Thanks to the wonders of the World Wide Web, I have found cool new alternatives to your average (read: dated) holiday songs. So dump the CD you've been listening to since kindergarten (except maybe Jingle Bell Rock. That's pretty catchy.) and gather all your old iTunes gift cards, 'cause what follows is your modern holiday playlist:

1. The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs by Various Artists
This awesome CD combines old classics and new tunes sung by indie pop queens like Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Lenka, Katy Perry, and more. All the songs are good, especially those that aren't explicitly Christmas-themed. Ingrid Michaelson (you've heard her if you watch Grey's Anatomy) and Sarah Bareilles have an excellent duet, "Winter Song," Lenka is characteristically adorable in "All My Bells Are Ringing," and the awesome "Maybe Next Year (X-Mas Song)" by Meiko is a far cry from your average caroler's tune. But the album also has some good revamped classics such as "Winter Wonderland," "Silent Night," and "Frosty the Snowman" to sing along to. In short, these songs won't embarrass you come February.

2. "Last Christmas" by The Glee Cast
The whole appeal of this song is lost on you if you don't watch Glee. (Also, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Stop reading this right now and start watching it. Trust me.) If you do watch it, you know exactly how delicious Rachel and Finn duets are. This one is Christmas flavored, and perfect.

3. Taylor Swift's Holiday Collection
Taylor Swift is so cute and everyone loves her. This CD will be a hit with your grandma who will applaud you for supporting the lovely blonde after what that Kanye did to her at the VMAs. Playing Taylor Swift will also be better than having your grandma say "What is a Gaga?" all night.

4. Winterlove EP by Parachute
This album doesn't feature borrowed classics. Instead, Parachute opts for a soft-rocky take on the holiday spirit. Again, come February, you won't want to chuck it.

5. Oh, Blue Christmas EP by A Fine Frenzy
Alison Sudou's (a.k.a. A Fine Frenzy) folky vocals give a cool twist to songs like (a barely-recognizable) Winter Wonderland.

6. Holiday Spirits by Straight No Chaser
These songs aren't remastered, or re-written, or in any way rehashed. These are the classics you know and love, only (wait for it) they are sung a cappella. They are pretty amazing, especially "Carol of the Bells."

What are your favorite tunes from camip0p's list?

Related Post: The Best Christmas Albums

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