'Tis the season (that is, 'tis the middle of October) when artists with nothing better to do unleash their own personal Baby Jesus celebrations: Christmas albums.

Urgh. I hate 'em, and almost always avoid them - even Christmas albums by my favorite artists. (You won't find the cleverly titled Chicago XXV in my collection! Ever!)

But, oh no. What's this? Aimee Mann is putting out a Christmas album next week? Called "One More Drifter in the Snow" (released 10/24). Exceptions must be made. Especially for a cover of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", a song that Aimee Mann seems absolutely born to sing.

Also coming soon are Christmas albums by Twisted Sister and Bootsy Collins; and a reissue of southern alt-rockers The dB's 1986 Christmas album "Christmas Time Again".

-Paul