My All-Time Favorite Christmas Album.

Do you remember a particular Christmas album that, no matter how schmaltzy, drags you kicking and screaming directly back to your childhood - a time when you got all warm and fuzzy writing your letters to Santa, sipping cocoa while watching those stop-action animation specials, and were too excited to get to sleep on Christmas Eve because you knew the next day was going to be so fucking awesome that you just couldn't stand it?

Well, my album like that is Living Voices - The Little Drummer Boy. I listened to my own personal copy of this cheesy little number so many times that the grooves were worn down to nothing. Hearing it again reminds me of my Tyrannosaurus Rex model with the glow-in-the-dark teeth and nails, my Mickey Mouse record player, my aunt Linda, and the utter and complete joy that was once-upon-a-time Christmas.

The Living Voices were a choral harmonizing wonder group. Their songs are soothingly drenched with fromage, and their accompanying band relies very heavily on our good friend Mr. Xylophone. Who could complain?

Since I love all of you, I'm going to share this album with you right now.

The Living Voices - Little Drummer Boy.

Download the hell out of this album, whip up some Swiss Miss, turn down the lights, and listen. This shit is off the chain, y'all.

Meanwhile, I'm not endorsing this album's intellectual or artistic merits. Please note that I was four when this album made its impact on me, and you should react accordingly.