Some years, it seems as if Ebenezer Scrooge was behind the mixing board for the new holiday albums. They sound like lumps of coal. But this year, at least a dozen holiday albums will bear repeated listening. One or two might even find a place alongside Bing and Elvis in your Christmas rotation.

Brian Wilson, ``What I Really Want For Christmas'' (Arista) -- Wilson's first solo holiday disc is wonderfully retro with big arrangements combining twangy guitars, honkin' saxes, weird percussion, organ and lush strings with vocal harmonies so thick you could hang your stockings on them. It sounds like vintage Beach Boys -- especially since it includes the 1964 novelty hits ``Little Saint Nick'' and ``The Man With All the Toys.'' Wilson wrote a couple of new songs (the title track and ``Christmasey'') and arranged traditionals such as ``The First Noel'' and ``Deck the Halls.'' A keeper.

Twelve Girls Band, ``Twelve Girls of Christmas'' (Domo) -- You've got to get past the lame title and cover photo -- with the band dressed up in Santa Claus-style skirts. The Twelve Girls use traditional Chinese instruments for an Eastern take on such classics as ``The First Noel,'' ``Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town'' and ``White Christmas.'' It's simply beautiful.

Anita Baker, ``Christmas Fantasy'' (EMI) -- Baker's got a soulful voice and she lets it loose on this fine album backed by the likes of Joe Sample, George Duke, Larry Carlton and the Yellowjackets. There are three originals here, including a jazzy ``Moonlight Sleighride'' and a Wonder-esque ``Family of Man.'' Just the spirit of the season qualifies the latter and a killer version of ``My Favorite Things'' for a holiday album.

VeggieTales, ``The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree'' (Big Idea) -- This is the perfect album for a long holiday road trip with the kids. It's completely original. Instead of simply covering the usual Christmas songs, the different VeggieTales act out a musical, auditioning members to be the top star in their performance. It's laugh-out-loud-funny and something you could listen to over and over.

Smash Mouth, ``The Gift of Rock'' (iTunes) -- It figures that San Jose's ``all-stars'' would release their first holiday album as a download. The good news is that the homeboys retain a sense of humor as they put their garage-surf stamp on a quirky collection that includes the Kinks' ``Father Christmas,'' the Ramones' ``Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight),'' the Sonics' ``Don't Believe in Christmas'' and Ringo's ``Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On.'' Even if you have the originals, you won't find Smash Mouth's ``Baggage Claim'' anywhere else.

Il Divo, ``The Christmas Collection'' (Syco Music/Columbia Records) -- Haven't heard of these young classical crossover stars? Think Led Zep for the opera set, Three Tenors for Gen X, four Josh Grobans. Producers hunted down the singers -- American, French, Spanish and Swiss -- for their pure voices and fresh faces. The Il Divo formula is working with three hit albums this year. The Christmas compilation, which topped Billboard's crossover chart, includes beautiful sacred songs, such as ``Panis Angelicus'' and ``The Lord's Prayer.'' One question: How does ``Somewhere Over the Rainbow'' end up on a Christmas album?

Newgrange, ``A Christmas Heritage'' (Compass Records) -- Talented acoustic playing and some less-familiar songs set this album apart from the horde. The core is a great string band featuring Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Alison Brown, Todd Phillips and Tim O'Brien, who occasionally adds vocals, plus Philip Aaberg on piano.

Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli, ``Silent Night'' (Lavender Sky Music) -- The duo plays classics like ``The First Noel,'' ``Joy to the World'' and ``Silent Night'' with Celtic harps, world flutes and acoustic instrumentation with a peaceful flair. Complaint: Some songs are a little bit drawn out.

Various artists, ``Acoustic Christmas'' (Favored Nations) -- This collection features 10 great, but largely unsung, guitarists, including Mimi Fox, Peppino D'Agostino and Adrian Legg. Lots of interesting tunes, such as Pierre Bensusan's ``Fodore L'Astronome,'' along with traditionals. But the album is so eclectic it may only appeal to other guitar players.

Michael McDonald, ``Through the Many Winters, a Christmas Album'' (Hallmark) -- McDonald's blue-eyed soul is marred by some weird production, like the electronic click track on ``God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'' and loud acoustic guitar string squeaks on ``Silent Night.'' Highlights: ``Wexford Carol'' and McDonald's compositions, ``Through the Many Winters'' and a rousing ``Christmas on the Bayou.'' Too bad the copy protection prevents you from adding the good tracks to your mix CD. Available only at Hallmark stores.

UmixIT, ``U-Sing-It Christmas'' (Webster Hall) -- You take songs and are able to remix them (using software that's included), adding your own vocals or instrumentals or changing the tracks. It's a bit easier than GarageBand. Ho-ho-ho: You can send e-greetings of the songs you make.

Various artists, ``Christmas'' (CD Tales) -- Some keepers in this oddball compilation, including ``I Want an Alien for Christmas'' from Fountains of Wayne and ``Christmas Time'' from Chris Stamey. The mix also includes Elton John, the Cocteau Twins and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Bonus: Half the profits go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Faith Evans, ``A Faithful Christmas'' (Capitol) -- Evans pretty much phoned in these performances. On songs like ``Santa Baby,'' find the original. The one exception: ``Soulful Christmas'' with its James Brown samples.

Regis Philbin, ``The Regis Philbin Christmas Album'' (Hollywood Records) -- If you love Regis, maybe you'll love this cheesy yule log. Maybe. This vanity project includes a guest appearance by Donald (``Rudolph, you're hired. Blitzen, you're fired'') Trump.

Steven Curtis Chapman, ``All I Really Want for Christmas'' (EMI) -- Lots of heavily produced praise singing -- with a slight country feel -- from contemporary Christian star Chapman. Best track: ``Christmas Is All in the Heart'' with Vince Gill.

Craig Chaquico, ``Holiday'' (Higher Octave) -- A disappointment. Chaquico is a good guitarist, but his acoustic sounds so highly processed that it becomes almost unlistenable on these instrumentals.

Various artists, ``The Night Before Christmas'' (Windham Hill) -- This is the latest in the series featuring the artists who defined ``new age'' music. Sleepy and peaceful. A nice way to top off a holiday evening after a big meal.

Various artists, ``The Essential Winter's Solstice'' (Windham Hill) -- This two-CD set is a greatest-hits compilation from the eight previous Windham Hill holiday samplers.

Radio Disney, ``Jingle Jams'' (Walt Disney Records) -- Disney's ``Jingle Jams'' has improved a bit over the years. Diddy's Jackson 5-style group, B5, and the country crew Everlife have sweet voices. It's still more for the preteen or middle school set. One to avoid: Fan 3's Santa rap is grating.

Various artists, ``Coming Home for Christmas'' (RCA Victor/Legacy) -- If you are a fan of overblown production, this could be just the sampler for you with a roster that includes Kenny Loggins, Michael W. Smith, Lonestar and Daryl Hall & John Oates.

Point of Grace, ``Winter Wonderland'' (Word/Curb/Warner Bros.) -- This gospel quartet is familiar from the Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith holiday tours. The women have beautiful voices and sing solid harmonies, but the songs, like ``Winter Wonderland'' and ``Jingle Bells,'' feel played out.

Juanita Ulloa, ``Paz y Alegria (Peace & Joy)'' (Ulloa Productions) -- The Oakland singer's concept is solid: Latin American holiday songs in Spanish and English. But it was hard to get through as Ulloa rambles and sings off key.

Kenny G., ``The Greatest Holiday Classics'' (Arista) -- Much of this is a greatest hits album from previous holiday albums by the soprano sax master of jazz lite. Love him or hate him, this won't change your mind.

Various cartoon characters, ``Nick Holiday'' (Nick Records/Sony BMG) -- Silly. Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob Squarepants, Jimmy Neutron and Rugrats sing their versions of holiday songs. But if you listen closely to the lyrics, they are about watching Nick all day long. Annoying.

Peter Alsop, ``Ebenezer's Make Over'' (Moose School) -- Singer-songwriter-psychologist Alsop has rewritten Dickens' ``Christmas Carol'' as a musical (for grown-ups) about raising men's consciousness. Marley and the ghosts touch on subjects from sexuality and AIDS to war and womb envy. It's a bit long and a little preachy, but the eclectic music (including songs by Holly Near) is solid, and the over-the-top vocal acting is fun. If this is your thing, check out www.peteralsop.com .

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