Top 5 Christmas Carol CDs: From Sarah McLachlan to Classic Bing Crosby

It isn't even December yet but the Christmas music is in full swing. Carols are played on the radio and Christmas songs are being sung in our household. Each year when we break out the holiday CDs, I am reminded again of why certain artists and albums are our family favorites. So if you are on a quest for the best Christmas carol CD or are looking to expand your collection, here are the top 5 albums (with a few honorable mentions.)

5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996)

No Christmas is ever complete without the old favorites, such as "The First Noël" and "O Holy Night." But you have never heard them like this! The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) blends traditional operatic style singing with electric rock guitars. As one reviewer described it, it is The Phantom of the Opera meets Aerosmith. The album is one of a series of three Christmas CDs that tells a story. Each song is a "chapter" of the story. An angel takes the listener on a journey through the earth as he searches for the best thing that represents all the good that has been done in the world. The instrumentals are incredibly tender and beautiful with classical orchestration. The vocals range from folksy to classical to rock and the singers are just as diverse, from soloists to children's choirs. If you are interested in unique additions to the holiday music genre, TSO's four Christmas albums offer many new songs. On Christmas Eve and Other Stories, listeners are treated to sweet melodies in "Promises to Keep," rich strains of "This Christmas Day" and more.

Cost: $12.99/album or 99¢ per song at iTunes

Honorable Mention: If TSO does not fit the bill for you, try Mannheim Steamroller's A Fresh Aire Christmas. This synthesizer/acoustic trio offers a unique listening experience. It is perfect for all occasions including using it as background music for your Christmas party. Their arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" is not to be missed. You can purchase this at iTunes for $9.99 or 99¢ per song.

4. Point of Grace's A Christmas Story (1999)

If your tastes run more traditional, try the ladies quartet, Point of Grace. The album boasts many of the time-honored favorites like "Joy to the World," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "O Holy Night." But the arrangements are fresh without losing the original tunes. The ladies' voices are showcased in solos and rich quartets and amplified by choir accompaniments and guest soloists. Fun holiday songs like "Sleigh Ride" and "Jingle Bell Rock" are included as well as some unique compositions. My personal favorite is the hauntingly beautiful, "Emmanuel, God with Us." This album is a beautiful amalgamation of tradition, contemporary and exclusive Christmas carols.

Cost: $8.99/album at Amazon.com or 99¢ per song at iTunes.

Honorable Mention: If you do not care for female quartets, try Simon Cowell's (of American Idol fame) "man band", Il Divo. The Christmas Collection is a beautiful offering of the tenor quartet with traditional Christmas carols and Bing Crosby-worthy contemporary songs. In an unusual holiday offering, Il Divo also includes "Over the Rainbow." $7.99 for the album at iTunes or 99¢ per song.

3. Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong (2005)

Sarah McLachlan cemented her place in pop/rock history with sentimental songs like "Angel" and "I Will Remember You." So it isn't any wonder that her Christmas album would include a variety of songs that show off her incredible talent. She moves easily from a folk spiritual, "Mary Mary" to the traditional "First Noël." She also showcases her range in John Lennon's "Happy X-mas (War is Over)", Joni Mitchell's "River", and Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night." This album is beautiful and rich with vocals but it does follow her trend of sentimental and low key. If you are looking for an upbeat album, this isn't it.

Cost: $9.99 at Amazon.com or iTunes

Honorable Mention: If you love Sarah McLachlan, you must look to her Irish contemporary, Enya. Enya has been a staple in the New Age genre since 1987 with the release of The Celts. While not prolific, she is steady and offers incredibly layered piano and vocal albums. Fans were ecstatic that she released her first Christmas album this year, And Winter Came. Listeners are treated to soothing melodies of "Journey of the Angels," "Stars and Midnight Blue," and "Dreams are More Precious." Her upbeat "White is in the Winter's Night" is destined to be a new Christmas classic. She still offers traditional carols such as a beautiful Gaelic rendition of "Oíche Chiúin" (Silent Night). Cost is $10.99/album at iTunes.

2. Josh Groban's Noël (2007)

With his rich baritone and operatic range, Josh Groban won the hearts of listeners from the moment he sang "The Prayer" with pop icon, Celine Dion. Noël is Groban's first Christmas album and it is hard to see how he could improve on it. He keeps the album very traditional and classic relying on his astonishing vocals rather than fancy arrangements. The result is a lovely and entirely rich album of classics. My personal favorites include, "Ave Maria," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "Panis Angelicus," and "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Cost: $11.99/album or 99¢ a song at iTunes or $9.99 at Amazon.com.

Honorable Mention: If your tastes don't run as classical as Josh Groban, try James Taylor's James Taylor at Christmas. Similar to Josh Groban, James Taylor showcases his talent by utilizing songs to show off his voice, not relying on unusual arrangements. It is a simple but very enjoyable offering of contemporary classics like, "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "The Christmas Song (Chesnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." The album is worth it even for one song, "Auld Lang Syne." Cost is $9.99/album or 99¢/song at iTunes.

1. Bing Crosby's Voice of Christmas- The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook (1998)

You cannot have Christmas without the "Voice of Christmas" himself, the legendary Bing Crosby. Nothing can compare to the original baritone behind classics like "White Christmas," "You're all I Want for Christmas," "A Marshmallow World," and "Silver Bells." This album contains 44 of his best renditions of the holiday songs. Guest artists such as Peggy Lee, The Andrews Sisters, and Danny Kaye are featured as well. The album is diverse with traditional carols, contemporary classics, and unique offerings such as the enjoyable Hawaiian Christmas carol, "Mele Kalikimaka."

Cost: $19.99/album or 99¢/song at iTunes.

Honorable Mention: If the Complete Songbook is out of the price range, try Bing Crosby's White Christmas (re-released in 1987). The album covers the top 12 of his greatest Christmas hits including "Christmas in Killarney," "Faith of Our Fathers," "Adeste Fidelis," and "White Christmas." Cost is $8.99/album at iTunes.