December is here and we’re ready to get in the Christmas spirit! Or Dave is at least. Dave brings Caleb on a magical journey through a season of lights and traditions and a spiritually moving season, while Caleb keeps us grounded in the stress and consumerism of the holiday. But, one thing they can both agree on is that the nostalgia of 1987’s A Very Special Christmas with artists like Run DMC, Whitney Houston, Madonna and U2 can immediately get you in the spirit of the season. Meanwhile, Dave suggests an album that may be new to many listeners, the Will Scruggs Jazz Orchestra’s Song of Simeon: A Christmas Journey, which tries to bridge the gap between religious sentimentality and holiday pop that most Christmas music falls into. Grab some egg nog and a candy cane and join us for our first Christmas episode.

Discussed today:

A Very Special Christmas, Volume One (Various Artists)

Phil Spector’s A Christmas Gift for You

Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas

Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship - Song of Simeon: A Christmas Journey

The Sufjan Stevens Christmas EPs

Danny Brown - Quaranta

Aesop Rock - Integrated Tech Solutions

The Smile - “Wall of Eyes”