We asked two of our 2012 contributors what they’re listening to this Christmas. And it’s not what you’d necessarily expect:

Geoff Chambers reviews Songs for Christmas, Vol. 1-5 by Sufjan Stevens

Can Christmas at Grandma’s be hipster? If that’s what you care about, then sure. Songs for Christmas Vol 1-5 boasts Sufjan’s typical blend of banjo-driven folk rock with layers of horns, chorus and flutes, while still maintaining a unique and accessible Christmas-sy feel fit for most Christmas playlists.

This is not simply because Sufjan has introduced bells and recorders, or because of his original-yet-sympathetic reworking of classics. It is also because the music occasionally contains a cheesy, innocent, and at times goofy sound (It’s Christmas Let’s be glad! and Put the Lights on the tree) that somehow manages to be fun (even if he is being ironic) while still maintaining his distinctively indie sound.

But most precious about Songs for Christmas is the way Sufjan communicates his desire to be less cynical and more joyful about Christmas, to move from a pathological hatred to an appreciation of its message. His gift as a songwriter and storyteller make his journey a pleasure to be a part of. Songs like That was the Worst Christmas Ever! convey this perfectly, as Sufjan recounts longing for resurrection hope during his dysfunctional family Christmas’s. Such sentiment saturates the album, but thankfully it’s never in an overly depressing way. The album still manages to be fun, but it resonates because it is not deaf to the mess of the world. Christian hope is a hope that groans in suffering (Romans 8), and Sufjan communicates that in a way that most Christmas albums do not.

Michelle Dircks, ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’ by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

One artist that is always on my regular Christmas play list is Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), specifically their album ‘Christmas Eve and Other Stories’. TSO is an American progressive rock/metal band with symphonic elements. The songs are a mix of vocal and instrumental and this album consists of some traditional carols, reworked songs from traditional composers, as well as some original Christmas themed songs.

I love TSO’s take on O Come All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night. You could be forgiven for thinking from the beginning that it is just another traditional carol as it begins with a fairly standard piano introduction, but then the full sound of guitars/drums/bass kicks in and you realize that you are listening to something a little bit different. My absolute favourite track on this album that I find myself listening to on repeat is Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24. It it’s an instrumental medley of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Carol of the Bells. The guitar work across all of their songs is very impressive.

I find that TSO are an excellent blend of Christmas meets metal which is great for those of us who enjoy our music on the heavier side of things. Psalm 100 springs to mind “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”. It gives me great joy to know that the Lord hears our joyful noises no matter what style of music they are presented in. What better time to praise him with song than the time when we are celebrating our Saviour’s birth.

TSO Image: flickr_by mattgarber

Featured Image: flickr_by Chiot’s Run