Some recommendations for alternative Christmas music
Bad Religion: Christmas Songs
This is really fun, starting with an acapella bit and racing through a bunch of songs about the “reason for the season”.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6C89e7cpRmYu1SSKK3GcwS
https://www.kerrang.com/a-love-letter-to-bad-religions-christmas-songs
The Toasters: Christma-Ska
Some covers and some originals, this is also a super fun Christmas album. Highlights: Winter Wonderland and War is Over
https://open.spotify.com/album/01WaNurRP5USodwR1m67tU
Reel Big Fish: Happy Skalidays
Skanking, a joke song, Little Drummer Boy (which has been on all 3 albums so far), an inclusive song, another joke song, and Auld Lang Syne. I love RBF.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3vDjcjCn0PmS5KNRYfw72x
The Reverend Horton Heat: We Three Kings
Psychobilly might sound intimidating but this album is really accessible and familiar. Highly recommended!
https://open.spotify.com/album/4KlFqnvVIUwkdUju53XOZD
Goldfinger: The Goldfinger Christmas EP
4 classics in less than ten minutes. You always put the emphasis on “five gold rings” right? Not like this.
https://open.spotify.com/album/01EZvMeQxgkRFmVQ2LiR5a
MU330: Winter Wonderland
My particular favourite off this album is “I Got This Neighbour”. Sweet sweet late 90s ska-punk.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1BYP7tLtyTz1OnuqBiYdyo
MXPX: Punk Rawk Christmas
Another EP from a band putting out a Christmas album 20 years after they were at their peak? I don’t care if it’s a cliche, I like it
https://open.spotify.com/album/04Bn005uXQk5oKUZZovDFq
Christmas with Weezer
Pretty typical Weezer sound, but they don’t really do anything interesting here. Just going through the motions with a bunch of Christmas songs. Not recommended unless you really love Rivers
https://open.spotify.com/album/0CxHijFYwiAVHCGmwN0hAq
Barenaked for the Holidays
This is great. Worker solidarity with the elves, interesting interpretations of classics, some Hanukkah songs, and the highlight for me is “Santa Sabbath”. Great fun
https://open.spotify.com/album/7g6V1Ue3CIrJ6ehtNz8v9b