Music From the O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah
In the admittedly narrow genre of holiday discs adapted from TV shows,Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah!,a jumble of songs pulled from a special episode of the Fox seriesThe O.C., takes the fruitcake (or latke, or what have you). In only nine tracks, it establishes itself as a thoroughly modern, cynical, but likeably wide-eyed antidote to the heap of jingle-bell-heavy offerings currently crowding holiday music racks. Best thought of as a compilation cobbled together by a clear-headed, alt-minded friend,Chrismukkah,so named for the fictional Cohen family's seasonal culture-blending holiday, highlights a far-reaching lineup of indie favorites.Jimmy Eat Worldcovers theWham!classic "Last Christmas" with characteristic punch and panache,Eelschew into "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" like they mean it,Leona Naesschannels vintageJoni Mitchellon "Christmas," and the ever-understatedRon Sexmithdares to dream on "Maybe This Christmas." "Christmas with You Is the Best," cut exclusively for the soundtrack by theLong Winters, climbs through the Cohens' chimney to offer a firsthand glimpse of Chrismukkah in practice: you can practically smell the eggnog-flavored matzoh balls.--Tammy La Gorce