More audiophile reviews by Ted King

It's that time of year, so here are a few recommendations to get you through the holidays. May your heart be full and your ears be open!

Wintersong
—Sarah McLachlan

Expectations are high for a Sarah McLachlan holiday CD; after all, she has one of the most angelic voices on the planet. Unfortunately, we want something only her voice could perform, and this recording is predictable at best. She does everything right, but only really challenges herself on the one original, "Wintersong." Other than that, this is a lavish orchestral recording of many Christmas traditionals and covers that won't offend the ear, but won't open your heart to anything new.

Songs for Christmas
—Sufjan Stevens

Imagine you got together with your friends and put together a Christmas album. Now, also imagine you're a very talented musician with a knack for writing songs that say what we're all really thinking. Following the success and tremendous critical acclaim for his last album, Illinoise, Mr. Stevens has released his Christmas EPs from 2001 to the present. In all there are 5 CDs, consisting of classic holiday hymns and new songs. The original pieces tell of "shoveling snow on the driveway" and a father "throwing gifts in the woodstove." It's a collection of tunes that are quite personal for the artist and explore Christmas in a way most collections would be afraid to. If you're looking for an honest, well-crafted, but modern view of the holidays and all the emotions that go with that, look no further.

Classic Corner
The Christmas Song — Nat King Cole

Sweet, silky and rich, these songs are a gift to all of us once a year. Sung with passion and warmth, these recordings from Nat King Cole flood the mind with memories of the joy, anticipation and excitement of the holidays. While they have become standards of every department store during the season, the music is alive, heartfelt and worthy of the term "classic." If you don't have it, buy it!

This article originally appearred in the December 19, 2006 issue of Soap Opera Digest.