Another 10 Awesome Christmas Songs You Won't Hear on the Radio

Last year's list is still a great place to start. But here are ten more for your listening pleasure. Links take you to amazon.com where you can hear samples and download songs if you so desire.

Carol of the Bells/What Child is This? by Point of Grace
I'm confounded by the fact that "Carol of the Bells" did not make it onto my original list in some form. It seems I like the song so much that I've got no fewer than five versions of it on my mp3 player and another three thumbed-up on Pandora. Point of Grace does a lovely and lively version mashed with "What Child is This?" sung in an ethereal, feminine chorus.

I Have a Little Dreidel by Barenaked Ladies
Christmas, Chanukah, whatever. This song is so peppy I can't help but smile whenever it comes on. This guy is just so freakin' happy over his dreidel! While BNL is my all time favorite band, this is the only album of theirs that I cannot endorse. There's a few decent songs on it, including "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (sung with Sarah McLachlan) but the rest are brain-numbingly dull.

You can't purchase happiness. Unless you purchase a dreidel.

I Want an Alien for Christmas by Fountains of Wayne
I can't speak for the rest of this group's repertoire as this is the only song of theirs I've heard, but it's a fun one. Who wouldn't eschew all other gifts in favor of a little green guy about three feet high, with seventeen eyes, who knows how to fly? Or is it just me?

Do You Hear What I Hear? by Third Day
Third Day is a Christian rock band, and though their songs often come up on my Pandora Christmas station, I find them to be a bit slow-paced for my tastes, and they tend to focus on the more strongly religious songs. If you're into that, you will probably like them. This is the one song I whole-heartedly endorse. The powerful vocals are stirring and paint a pretty picture of the nativity myth.

Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking by Aqua Teen Hunger Force f/ Neko Case
Meatwad is pleased to find a booger left in his stocking (so he can complete his snackitivity) and is incredulous that it might have been his own rather than Santa's. If you're not familiar with Cartoon Network's ATHF, this song may just seem gross. If you are familiar with ATHF, it will still be gross, but if you find yourself laughing at it anyway, the whole album will be worth checking out.

Yeah, this is pretty much par for the show.

Whoville Medley (Perfect Christmas Night/Grinch) by Transiberian Orchestra
I know, this group made onto last year's list and here I am bringing them up again. But they have such a range of songs, I'd be remiss in not bringing your attention to this one. Part of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas soundtrack (which has a number of good songs), this is the quintessential decorating song. If you haven't got your tinsel strung yet, you definitely need to download this one before you begin.

Oi to the World by The Vandals
This is more than a song; it's an album. With titles including "Grandpa's last X-Mas," "Hang Myself from the Tree," and "Christmas Time for My Penis," it is not child friendly. But it's a great punk rock album for the times when you're ready to scream "Nothing's Going to Ruin My Holiday!"

The Night Santa Went Crazy by Weird Al Yankovic
Another one that may not be child friendly, unless your tyke finds it amusing that the immensity of delivering gifts across the world in one night (for the pittance of milk and cookies) causes Santa to snap and bomb the workshop, hold elves hostage, and murder and eat the reindeer, until he is taken down by the National Guard and FBI. Yes, Virginia, now Santa's doing time, while Ms. Claus negotiates the movie rights with her lawyer. The absurdity of such a beloved icon perpetrating such heinous crimes is what makes it funny. A nice complement to his "Christmas at Ground Zero."

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Tonic Sol-Fa or by Gary Hoey
The first list had Straight No Chaser, and this one would be incomplete without another a cappella band (not counting the tambourine). Tonic Sol-Fa's songs have a little more pep and verve than the former. But if a cappella is not your thing (or if you just appreciate variety) check out Gary Hoey's version of the song. It's an instrumental which makes excellent use of electric guitars. Perfect for rocking out. The rest of his songs are equally good (including the ubiquitous "Carol of the Bells").

I Saw Three Ships by Rivertribe  
This one is entirely instrumental, in an indigenous tribal style. The band uses instruments from across the globe including Native American pipes, African drums, and the Australian didgeridoo. The original melody is recognizable, but this sounds nothing like the Christmas music you're used to. Quite beautiful.

And for all who are wondering, this is what a didgeridoo looks like:

Now, if that doesn't say Christmas, I don't know what does.