If the thought of another Christmas with Slade and George Michael fills you with dread, there is some salvation this year in the form of a Christmas disc from Sufjan Stevens (in a project which will rival his 50 states project in scale, he is planning a Christmas album every year) and Aimee Mann.

Mann's take is reasonably traditional - the songs are old familiars (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Winter Wonderland), but all delivered with her gloriously, wickedly gorgeous voice, and an indie feel that derives from her usual soulfully sad demeanour. This is more Christmas introspection than office party music - even so, it is a slightly unusual sideways step from one of the best female singer-songwriters, one who rarely takes anything other than a sharply cynical view.

Aimee Mann could sing the phone book and make it appealing. Here's an opportunity to give Bing a rest and give someone with all the alterna-cred in the world a go.

3.5/5

Mike Rea