Dan DeLuca's Christmas Mix

Let's face it: You can get a little sick of the usual seasonal standards. So here's an unconventional 24-tune mix of holiday-themed songs that you won't hear anyone caroling. It is thoroughly up-to-date. All songs were released, or reissued, in 2007. (All available on iTunes, unless otherwise noted.)

1.

"Go Power at Christmas Time,"

James Brown

. Unearthed selection from the Godfather of Soul, who passed last Christmas Day. From

Peanut Butter Wolf Presents Badd Santa: A Stones Throw Records Xmas

. Available only at Urban Outfitters.

2.

"Run Rudolph Run,"

Keith Richards

. Keef's 1978 rip off the old Chuck Berry ditty, out anew on iTunes.

3.

"Christmas,"

The Smithereens

. Pat DiNizio's savvy choice from the Who's

Tommy

. From

Christmas With the Smithereens

.

4.

"Christmas in Southgate,"

Ry Cooder

. Hobo blues from guitar great's overlooked

My Name Is Buddy

.

5.

"Carol of the Bells,"

The Bird and the Bee

. Ring-a-linging ethereality from duo of Inara George and Greg Kurstin.

6.

"Anorak Christmas,"

Sally Shapiro

. Swedish indie-dance diva has herself a nerdy Christmas.

7.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,"

Patti LaBelle

. Philadelphia's

Clash of the Choirs

queen, from

Miss Patti's Christmas

.

8.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas,"

The Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald Isley

. Still supremely soulful after all these years.

9.

"Funky Fresh Christmas,"

The Busy Boys

. Scratch-happy old-school rap, also from

Badd Santa

.

10.

"Jesus Saves, I Spend,"

St. Vincent

. Indie-popstress Annie Clark goes on a shopping spree.

11.

"Christmas Is Awesome,"

Reuben

. A giddy metal Xmas from Brit delighted to find a

Dr. Who

DVD under the tree. Check out the YouTube video for subtitles.

12.

"Don't Shoot Me Santa,"

The Killers

. Brandon Flowers gets held up by St. Nick on his band's second annual Christmas single.

13.

"Season's Greetings,"

Robbers on High Street

. Unironic cheer from New York rockers.

14.

"The Last Christmas on Earth,"

Evangelicals

. A shoe-gazing Christmas, courtesy of Oklahoma rockers with no Pat Robertson connection.

» READ MORE: www.myspace.com/evangelicals

.

15.

"Take Me Away,"

Nellie McKay

. Cheeky ditty in which Rudolph reveals that "Me and Blitzen are planning on splittin', and besides I'm really a Jew." Free, along with the equally charming "A Christmas Dirge" on

» READ MORE: www.nelliemckay.com

.

16.

"Taller Than Jesus,"

Jewmongous

. 6-foot-3 funnyman Sean Altman rocks out and looks down at the son of God.

17.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,"

Brandi Shearer

. Quiet stunner from San Francisco siren.

18.

"The Christmas Sound,"

The Swimmers

. Motown bass line sweetens aural candy cane by top-notch Philadelphia indie band. Free at Jon Solomon curated site:

» READ MORE: http://idolator.com/tunes/enter-snowman/

19.

"Christmas Eve Night,"

Danielson

. South Jersey art rockers toss and turn with 1 minute 22 seconds of gift-opening anticipation. Also available on Idolator.com (see No. 18).

20.

"Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas),"

The Decemberists

. Indie bookworm Colin Meloy goes country, begging his pops to lay off the eggnog. From

Alternative Rock X-mas

.

21.

"If We Make It Through December,"

Merle Haggard

. Country great hopes to hold his love life together through the winter. From

Hag's Christmas

.

22.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,"

Toby Keith

. Tough guy does Brenda Lee, slips Santa hat over his Stetson on double-disc winner

Classic Christmas

.

23.

"Winter Wonderland,"

Brad Paisley

. Honky-tonk ax man makes his six-string ring out like sleigh bells.

24.

"What a Wonderful World,"

Booker T. Jones and Jolie Holland

. Memphis soul vet and roots-soul singer team up for haunting yet hopeful Satchmo classic. Beats "Auld Lang Syne" any day.