Dig These (Holiday) Discs :: She & Him, The Sing-Off, Justin Bieber, Broadway, Michael Bublé

This very special holiday edition of "Dig These Discs" is stuffed with the latest new holiday CD compilations for your seasonal enjoyment. From the pitch-perfect songs of Michael Bubl� to the quirky selections of She & Him to the classics (and variations thereof) of "Broadway's Carols for A Cure" and "The Sing-Off" to the sometimes-misguided attempts of teen heartthrob Justin Bieber, this batch of holiday tunes are perfect for decking the halls. So grab a glass of eggnog, and enjoy the tunes!

"A Very She & Him Christmas" (She & Him)

The quirky Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward make up the duo She & Him. With a professed fondness for the Beach Boys / surfer sounds, Deschanel and Ward present a respectable dozen holiday songs in that vein, many accompanied only by the tinny strains of a ukulele. The opener, "The Christmas Waltz" shows Deschanel at her most charming. Unlike other actor/singers, she has a respectable, if somewhat twee, voice. She puts it to decent use on this album. A guitar-accompanied, slowed-down version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" has a sweet intro, with rich, slow vocals, another winner. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is lush as a pine forest, while a ukulele-bound version of "Silver Bells" is cute, but a bit spare. Their beloved surfer vibe crops up in "Little St. Nick" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Ward chimes in on "Sleigh Ride", to a nice call-and-response effect that is bouncy and well paced. A rendition of "Blue Christmas" is a nice tribute to Elvis. But the most anticipated of them all -- "Baby It's Cold Outside" -- the song that Deschanel made her own in the motion picture "Elf", is not nearly as nice as when she sang it in a shower stall, with Will Ferrell (as an overgrown elf) as her duet partner. (Merge Records)

"The Sing-Off: Songs of the Season" (The Sing-Off)

The wealth of TV reality singing shows has given birth to this reality show-inspired holiday album. And whether you think they are hilarious or serious, one thing that these shows have is a plethora of talent. This album showcases that talent. It opens with a divalicious version of Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff's "All I Want for Christmas is You" -- a message well suited to these tough economic times. A doo-wop version of "Santa Baby" follows, both wispy and charming. If you've never encountered a techno version of "We Three Kings", this is your chance. The same goes for a hip-hop version of "I Saw Three Ships", with a nice arrangement and good vocal breaks. The "Carol of the Bells", a song traditionally containing a frantic feel, starts almost plaintive and lonesome, and then builds up in intensity at the end. A be-bop version of "Up on the Housetop" passes muster, a barbershop quartet of "Winter Wonderland" is tight, and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by the ensemble seems to channel the "Godspell" score. Among the best on this 13-song disc is "Christmas Time is Here", a spirited, joyful harmony with smoky female vocals and jazzy breaks. Although some of the tunes are peppered with that over-the-top ululating often found in TV reality singing shows, as a whole, the album does not disappoint, and will have you singing along. (Epic Records)

"Under the Mistletoe" (Justin Bieber)

If some of the tracks are as thin as his peach fuzz, teen heartthrob Justin Bieber's new holiday album, "Under the Mistletoe" has already proven a hit with the twee crowd. The album now claims the number six spot on Billboard 200 (falling from number one), with sales of more than 225,000 copies in its first week. The title track is a bit too solemn and eager, with Bieber expressing his wishes to be "Under the mistletoe/ shorty with you...your lips on my lips, that's a Merry, Merry Christmas." A better pick is the album's kick-off song, "The Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas", a mid-tempo, romantic R&B crooner. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a somewhat lukewarm Jackson Five-style rendition with a definite '70s vibe. The slow jam, "Christmas Eve" is packed with laughable lyrics like, "You'll leave some cookies out, I'm gonna eat 'em all/ no one can see me but you, it's so magical." He does better teamed with Mariah Carey in "All I Want for Christmas Is You", for which he has released an accompanying video. Ditto for the duet with his mentor Usher in "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)." His "Fa La La" with Boyz II Men is a little shakier, and his team-up with Busta Rhymes in "Drummer Boy" is bewildering. Featuring everything from synth tracks to hand claps to the unfortunate end-rhyme rap of "I'm so tight I might go psycho/ Christmas time so here's a recital," the tune makes me want to call Child Protective Services. As for Bieber's rendition of "Silent Night" -- let's just say, it's probably best to leave the classics alone. As Bieber's second consecutive number one debut, the album does less for the oeuvre of holiday music than it does to affirm Bieber's reputation as a hit dropping record-seller. His recent announcement that he will donate a portion of the sales to various charities under his newly-formed Believe Charity Drive will go far to endear him in the hearts of his Beliebers. (Island Records)

"Broadway’s Carols for a Cure, Volume 13" (Various artists)

The annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from current Broadway artists never disappoints, if only because the proceeds from sales of this 2-CD original compilation raise funds for the AIDS charity Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Since its inception in 1999, "Carols for the Cure" albums have raised more than $3 million for people living with AIDS. This year's CD features an impressive 25 songs by artists including Daniel Radcliffe, Reeve Carney, Hugh Panaro, Martha Wash, Ryan Lowe, and more. Highlights include "Light It Up!" with a vintage intro from ABBA, sung by the cast of "Mamma Mia." Kara DioGuardi (Roxy Hart from "Chicago: The Musical") showcases her fine voice in "White Christmas." Although not the best singer, Radcliffe makes humorist/composer Tom Lehrer's "A Christmas Carol" his own, singing with the cast of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." And "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark" star Reeve Carney brings the U2-vibe to "St. Nicholas Sky," accompanied by his band and T.V. Carpio. The nuns of "Sister Act" are perfectly charming with their sing-songy, "Angels We Have Heard on High." Although rather buttoned-up, "The Phantom of the Opera" star Hugh Panero's voice shines in "I Wonder As I Wander." The cast of "Billy Elliot" does a fine job with "Waiting for the Snow to Fall;" ditto for "The First Noel" from the cast of "War Horse." A jazzy version of "Auld Lang Sang" from "Baby It's You" is a soulful, welcome addition to the album. Middling tracks include "Christmas on the S.S. American" from the cast of "Anything Goes," and "Deck the Hall" by the puppets of "Avenue Q." Misses are few, limited to a gory rendition of "The 13 Days of Christmas" by the cast of "The Addams Family." Even Nickelodeon's Ashley Argota got in on the action with an over-the-top "Dance With Me Santa." The CD is available at Broadway theaters, select venues, and through BC/EFA at broadwaycares.org. (Rock-It Science Records)

"Christmas" (Michael Bublé)

Gay men (and moms) of the world, rejoice! Honey-voiced Michael Bubl� debuts his highly anticipated "Christmas" album, which has already beat out Nickelback (by a small margin) as number one on the Billboard 200. The album, the ninth number-one holiday album in Billboard history, has already sold more than 227,000 copies. And it's easy to see why. The intro track, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" profiles his singular voice, which is as rich as cocoa and just as thick. Ditto for "I'll Be Home For Christmas," which sounds as good as a carol can. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is layered with a high-hat, big band sound, and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" eschews this new classic's pop sound for a more resonant, slowed-down version that tugs on the heartstrings. "Holly Jolly Christmas" is an upbeat winner, as is "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," with its surfer-boy patina. Bubl� makes "Santa Baby" his own, urging his pal, "Santa, buddy" to bring him a Rolex, saying, "I'll wait up for you, dude." And "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" hasn't sounded this good since Judy Garland sang it. The Elvis hit, "Blue Christmas" gets the full New Orleans jazz band accompaniment, complete with screaming trumpets. Bubl� even includes his original song, "Cold December Night," a hopeful Christmas ditty. He teams up with Shania Twain for "White Christmas," with Thal�a for "Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad," and with the Puppini Sisters for his campy closing track, "Jingle Bells." Watch for Bubl� on an NBC TV Special on December 6 at 8 p.m., as well as on "Saturday Night Live" on December 17, where, with any luck, he will reprise his half of the winning team (with "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm) in the charming sketch, "Hamm and Bubl�." (Warner/Reprise Records)