The Download
Normal people would find this a bit premature, but the loonies at record labels are already pimping their holiday-themed releases. Among this year’s most noteworthy is Sufjan Stevens‘ Songs for Christmas, a five-disc boxed set including traditional songs as well as originals. It won’t be released until November, but you can already download “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” and “Sister Winter” for free at his label’s site, Asthmatickitty.com. The tracks hardly resemble holiday music, making us wonder if he’s ever going to get around to the remaining 48 states in his musical travelogue. (Five CDs of Christmas music certainly qualifies as a distraction.) Either way, he’s got competition: Twisted Sister’s upcoming A Twisted Christmas is sure to rock the yuletide all year-round. — Andy Vihstadt
The Download
