So much of the Christmas season, for me, is all about the music. I have no problems with you if you want to start your Christmas celebrations a little early. After Halloween seems excessive. After Thanksgiving is fair game. Then let’s bring on the real Christmas songs and the fake ones, too. I don’t discriminate. From Dec 16-31, it’s all Christmas music playing on Mental Jukebox.

“Silent Night” is, in many ways, the perfect marriage of traditional Christmas carol and the moody, atmospheric musicality of Sharon Van Etten. This unique musicality starts and ends with Van Etten’s trademark vocal delivery, but the way in which the synthesizers are used in this rendition play an important role as well. “Silent Night” is traditionally sung in quiet reflection. The last Christmaa hymn at a Christmas Eve candlelight service. But here, Van Etten adds an ominous presence to the song, enabling it to linger on long after the last note is sung.

“Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing alleluia. Christ the Savior is born.”