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Various Artists

Sacred Bones: Ya Ho Wha [Gold Vinyl]

Folk, Pop/Rock

Compilation highlighting the very different approaches taken by this '70s psychedelic spiritual sect on their independently recorded and released music.

- Fred Thomas

Sun Ra

Prophet

Jazz, Avant-Garde

A 1986 session containing what are thought to be Sun Ra's only recordings using the then-new Prophet VS digital synthesizer.

- Paul Simpson

Hallelujahs

Eat Meat, Swear an Oath

Pop/Rock

1986 one-off from this Japanese band walks a similar path as Galaxie 500, Felt, Yo La Tengo, and other post-Velvets indie rock of its time.

- Fred Thomas

Paul Lewis

Schubert: Piano Sonatas D. 537, 568 & 664

Classical

Supremely intelligent readings of early-to-middle-period Schubert sonatas complete Lewis' cycle.

- James Manheim

Santtu-Matias Rouvali / Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5; Pohjola's Daughter

Classical

High-energy, intense Sibelius from a young firebrand has nothing coolly Scandinavian about it.

- James Manheim

Andrea Marcon / La Cetra

Claudio Monteverdi: Vespro di Natale [Christmas Vespers]

Classical

A hyper-historical re-creation of a Christmas service at St. Mark's in Venice over which Monteverdi might have presided.

- James Manheim

Roberto Alagna / Aleksandra Kurzak / Andreas Scholl / Morphing Chamber Orchestra

Arvo Pärt: Stabat Mater; Fratres; Summa; Spiegel im Spiegel; Etc.

Classical

Fresh Pärt recording with an intensely dramatic arrangement of the Stabat mater.

- James Manheim

Joyce DiDonato / Michael Spyres / Lisette Oropesa / Maxim Emelyanychev / Il Pomo d'Oro

Handel: Theodora

Classical

A superb reading of Handel's oratorio Theodora features a star, Joyce DiDonato, and up-and-coming singers hitting their strides.

- James Manheim

Mark Elder / Lucy Crowe / London Philharmonic Choir / London Philharmonic Orchestra

James MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio

Classical

A major career step for MacMillan, who has produced a Christmas oratorio worthy enough to stand with those in the great tradition.

- James Manheim

Holidazed: Alternatives to Boring Christmas and Hanukkah Songs

Best of 2022

AllMusic Staff Picks

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Squirrel Nut Zippers

Christmas Caravan

October 6, 1998

Alternative Pop/Rock

Unfortunately underappreciated, this collection of original and traditional Christmas tunes performed in the Zippers' loose parlor string band style was unavailable for many years, but now seems to be available on many streaming services. An unexpectedly charming and tuneful set that balances silliness with genuine wistfulness. Maybe this year Santa will see fit to put "My Evergreen" into heavy holiday rotation.

- Zac Johnson

Fairport Convention

June, 1968

British Folk-Rock

Before Sandy Denny joined, the quintessential British folk/rockers sounded more like a top notch West Coast psychedelic band, ripping through bonkers guitar workouts, beguiling with witchy Joni and Merry-Go-Round covers, and unspooling weird originals that gave no hint to their later direction. It’s a different kind of magic they are tapping into here, but it shines just as brightly.

- Tim Sendra