The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting frostier and the leaves are finishing their colourful fall, which can only mean one thing: the onslaught of new Christmas albums is just around the corner.
But even those who cringe at the very thought of weeks of non-stop seasonal songs, take heart: some of the biggest names in pop, rock, alt-country and more have gathered around the musical hearth for Holidays Rule.
Slated for release by Hear Music and Concord Music, the 17-track album features all-original recordings by Paul McCartney, California pop phenoms fun., indie luminaries the Shins, the rootsy Civil Wars, Tex-mex favourites Calexico, soul icon Irma Thomas with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and more – as well as an understated rendition of the wintery classic "Baby It’s Cold Outside" by Canadian troubadour Rufus Wainwright and Brooklyn singer Sharon Van Etten.
The album, which will be sold at Starbucks, isn't out until October 30, but you can check out song samples here.
So what other holiday albums are arriving from the North Pole this year? Here is a sleighful of selections that run the gamut from hipster holiday to Christmas cheese:
John Travolta and Olivia Newton John – This Christmas. In one of the more frightening reunions of all time, these Grease co-stars are filling your stocking with renditions of "Winter Wonderland," "Silent Night," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and more. Guests include Barbra Streisand, Cliff Richard, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Chick Corea and more. Good thing it's raising money for charity.
Rod Stewart - Merry Christmas, Baby. Pop icon Rod Stewart will warm cockles everywhere with his first holiday collection, produced by Canadian luminary David Foster and featuring guests Michael Bublé, Cee Lo Green and Mary J. Blige. Mercifully Stewart sticks to tried and true holiday classics, with the exception of one original: "Red-Suited Super Man."
Colbie Caillat – Christmas in the Sand. She's best known for her summery song "Brighter Than the Sun," and now this Californian songstress aims to win over wintery hearts with an album that includes several originals for those who aren't in snowy climes for the holidays. Guests include Gavin DeGraw and Brad Paisley.
Cee Lo Green – Cee Lo's Magic Moment. From judging on The Voice to singing for President Obama to Coca-Cola commercials, this sweet-singing soul superstar seems to pop up just about everywhere, so might as well bring him along for the holiday season. Guests include The Muppets ("All You Need is Love") and Chistina Aquilera.
Lady Antebellum – On This Winter's Night. Country lovers must have been especially good this year, because some of hte genre's biggest stars are releasing holiday albums, among them Blake Shelton, American Idol contestant Scotty McCreery, the Oak Ridge Boys, and the Grammy-winning Lady Antebellum, who put a down-home twist on songs from "Blue Christmas" to "Silver Bells."
Sufjan Stevens – Silver & Gold. Indie favourite Sufjan Stevens returns to the yuletide fire with Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Volumes 6-10, his latest holiday box set. But not only does it include songs like "Ding-a-lin-a-ring-a-ling" and "Christmas Unicorn"; it comes with Christmas stickers, tattoos, a paper ornament, a pull-out poster, song charts and more.
Various Artists – A Very Special Christmas. You can do your part for charity and hear holiday hits with this year's Very Special Christmas album – the next in a series that has raised over $100 million for the Special Olympics. This 25th anniversary edition features Michael Buble, Train, Amy Grant, Dave Matthews Band, Rascal Flatts, Cheap Trick and more.
Katherine Jenkins – This is Christmas. Top-selling crossover artist and Dancing with the Stars contestant Katherine Jenkins unwraps her first holiday album, which includes the mezzo-soprano's unique spin on favourite Christmas hymns such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Angels From the Realms of Glory" - as well as quirkier classics like "Ding Dong Merry on High."
Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas. One of the most beloved Christmas albums of all time returns newly remastered, with three bonus tracks that didn't appear on the original 1965 LP.