If only in my dreams

I was going to hold off on this, because it's only November 10, for chrissakes. But in downtown Minneapolis, retailers have decided it's perpetually December 24th, and I can't help but admit I've gotten in the holiday mood. Plus, I haven't posted in a while. Guilt makes you do funny things.

Aimee Mann released a Christmas record on Halloween (!), and you'd be forgiven for being skeptical. I think every Christmas CD should be granted a healthy level of skepticism, because I think we can all agree that most of them are terrible. But luckily, Aimee Mann has released a pretty decent one.

Aimee Mann - I'll Be Home For Christmas.

That's not the best track on here, but it's pretty representative of the tone as a whole. Her PR folks have been touting this as a Johnny Mathis/Frank Sinatra kind of Christmas album, and though that sounds like a bad idea, it works well. This is the only track we're allowed to post, but my favorite is "Christmastime," a song written by Michael Penn and Jon Brion, and originally recorded by Mann and Penn back in 1996 for the ridiculous compilation Just Say Noel. Her new version is better, but the old one is good too.

One More Drifter In The Snow has its dull moments - "The Christmas Song," or the Grant Lee Phillips duet "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch," which isn't nearly as fun as it should be - but overall, this is vintage Mann. It's mostly covers, ranging from "Winter Wonderland" to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," finishing off with a not-bad original, "Calling On Mary." This record is clearly made for sitting around the fire with a hot toddy, and not for sleighrides or crazy office parties. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Speaking of Santa Claus, every year I throw together a holiday playlist, and I'm hoping to do the same in the next couple months. Stay tuned.

You can buy One More Drifter In The Snow any place - but why not start with eMusic?