There are better choices than Winter Wonderland. Let us help you find a few for the season. 

Chances are your city has at least one radio station that flipped to an all-Christmas format last month. This is a HUGE ratings-getter, especially for those stations that get played in offices and workplaces.

But how many times can a person hear Jose Feliciano sing Feliz Navidad before insanity creeps in? And please, let’s not hear any talk of season music from Justin Bieber or Susan Boyle.

So what is a rock fan supposed to do when it comes to Yuletide music?  I’m glad you asked.

Black Label Society: Glorious Christmas Songs That Will Make Your Black Label Heart Feel Good. Hail Santa! (out now): Zakk Wylde, one of Ozzy’s favourite guitarists, offers up a three-track instrumental EP. O Little Town of Bethleham never sounded like this before.

Bowling for Soup: Merry Flippin’ Christmas Vol. 1 and 2 (out now): These Texas goofballs have updated and expanded their 2009 Xmas EP that includes both classics and, um, soon-to-be classics.

Rob Halford: Winter Songs (Out now): Who knew that Judas Priest’s leather-clad front dude had such a soft spot for the Yuletide season?

She & Him: A Very She & Him Christmas (out now): On one hand, Zooey Deschanel (the “She” in this band) seems to be doing well with her TV series, New Girl. On the other, she and Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard separated last month after two years of marriage. Keep that in mind as you listen to songs like I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Blue Christmas.

Scott Weiland: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (out now): During an interview we did 18 months ago, the Stone Temple Pilots’ singer dropped a bomb (including on his record company people, who were in attendance) that he wanted to release a Christmas record. The album features pretty straight renditions of the classics, often in a jazz style.

– Alan is the host of the radio show The Secret History of Rock.  Reach him at alan@alancross.ca