It’s the hap-happiest season of all, where music helps you feel all warm and fuzzy in anticipation of the holidays. Thus, I’ve got plenty of music ideas to help you create the perfect holiday soundtrack for you and yours.

1. I’ve come to love and rely on “Maybe This Christmas,” “Maybe This Christmas Tree,” and “Maybe This Christmas Too.” These albums bring together all your favorite indie and not-so-indie rockers. Some of my faves include Vanessa Carlton’s “Greensleeves,” The Raveonettes’ “The Christmas Song,” Deathcab’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and Damien Rice’s version of “Silent Night.” If you’re hankering for a different take on the classics, this set will fit the bill.

2. And of course the folks behind teen drama “The O.C” had to get their hands on a holiday soundtrack, so they released the cleverly-titled “Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah.” Contributors include Low, Ben Kweller, Eels and more. (Low’s “Just Like Christmas” is first on my list).

3. Or, if you have yet to feel any twinge of spirit, I’ve got just the solution for you: Sufjan Stevens’ “Songs for Christmas.” This five-disc songfest includes over forty(!) classic and homespun Sufjan-original tracks. He still relies on the banjo to spread his holiday cheer, and it works.

4. If these are all old news to you aficionados, try It’s Hard To Find A Friend’s newest holiday “Peace on Earth” soundtrack. Musicians from Great Lake Swimmers, Chris Walla, Via Audio and Rosie Thomas are some of the dozen artists on the playlist. It’s only $7 and all proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Order yours here.

‘Tis also the season to fall back on old classics (even Neil wanted in). From The Carpenters’ “Christmas Portrait,” The Jackson 5′s “Christmas Collection,” Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” or Neil Diamond’s “The Christmas Album,” you’ll be reminiscing about the past holidays nestled around the tree with hot chocolate in hand.

Or you can always let us do the work for you. Try Your Heart Out’s Merry! Merry! Soundtrack to ring in the holiday cheer. To preview the playlist via iTunes, click here.

1. Angels We Have Heard On High: Sufjan Stevens
2. Silent Night: Sarah McLachlan
3. Just Like Christmas: Low
4. River: Travis
5. The Christmas Song: The Raveonettes
6. White Christmas: Otis Redding
7. Christmas Time is Here: A Charlie Brown Christmas
8. Christmas: Leona Naess
9. A Change at Christmas Time (Say It Isn’t So): The Flaming Lips
10. Holy, Holy, Holy: Sufjan Stevens
11. Baby It’s Cold Outside: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
12. Xmas Time Is Here Again: My Morning Jacket
13. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day: Pedro The Lion
14. Christmastime in the Mountains: Palace Songs
15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: Aimee Man
16. O Come, O Come Emmanuel: Belle & Sebastian
17. Christmastime: Smashing Pumpkins
18. Oh Holy Night: Nat King Cole
19. Happy Xmas (War Is Over): John Lennon

Or, tune into this Pandora station that’ll play new-classic-indie-rock carols. What else are y’all listenin’ to?

Enjoy! ‘Tis the season, indeed.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm and is filed under Face the Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.