Jingle all the way Here's some holiday albums we can all hum along to

IN THIS complicated, channel-overloaded world, there are few things that bring us all together.

Even pop music is no longer universal, because the genre is defined in so many different ways.

Holiday music is a rare exception. It's the only kind of "standards" we still share in common, that everyone knows.

And with its underlying messages of kindness and spirituality, fantasy, wonder and wish fulfillment, this is music that coaxes smiles and brings together people of multiple generations, cultures and even religions.

No wonder radio stations abandon their regular formats for all-holiday music.

It's a great ratings-grabber. Just ask WOGL, B-101 and Ben-FM - the latter now doing a nightly, 6:30 p.m. request hour hosted by Santa himself.

Sooner or later, most recording artists of note cut an album leaning heavily on the Christmas classics they grew up loving, aiming to customize the familiars with their own flavor.

Want to add a new holiday album to your collection this season? Here are some we're hoping Santa will bring - plus a few platters of "coal" that the naughty may have to suffer through.

That Justin Bieber sure knows how to throw a poppy (modern definition) holiday bash. His cheery "Under The Mistletoe" (Island Def Jam, B) is a variety show that celebrates both his pliant range and something-for-everybody attitude. Soul-pop mentor Usher ("The Christmas Song"), an a cappella Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey (barely there on the hit she cowrote, "All I Want for Christmas Is You") underscore Bieber's crossover nature.

Plus, Busta Rhymes pops in for a hip-hop-laced "Drummer Boy" and the Band Perry help our boy stroll down a country lane on "Home This Christmas."

Ah, but nothing turns on Bieber's baby daddy vibes quite like the steamy "Christmas Eve."

Some might even call it an immaculate conception.

Also reaching out to the TV-watching youth crowd is "Glee: The Music, Christmas Album, Vol. 2" (Columbia, C+). "All I Want for Christmas Is You" - clearly the most covered (and maybe apt) holiday song of the year, with its nonmaterialistic, all you need is love sentiments - sets the stage in a hearty vocal performance by Amber Riley.

But generally, as with other "Glee" albums, this project seems a bit rushed.

First- and second-take vocals are auto-tuned to perfection, and there's a dearth of originality in arrangements.

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" more than pays homage to the Springsteen/E-Street Band treatment, while Lea Michele's performance of "River," integrating "Jingle Bells," is Joni Mitchell redux.

Still, if the latter gets kids listening to Mitchell's "Blue" album, that would be a blessing!

Props to the producers of "The Sing-Off: Songs of the Season" (Epic, B) for holding all performing groups to the a cappella Yule log, from Delilah's first notes of "All I Want For Christmas Is . . . " (hmmm) to the bonus "Jingle Bells" by Committed.

The classic from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "Christmas Time Is Here" gets some nice Hi-Lo harmonies and lyrical extensions from Afro Blue.

The Dartmouth Aires serve a cool, Beach Boys-like "Up on the Housetop" and the University of Delaware Deltones do our region proud with their plush "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear."

The versatile actress/singer Zoe Deschanel and her sometime musical partner M. Ward do prove the point that "less is more" on their stripped-down, folksy, voice- and guitar-scored "A Very She & Him Christmas" (Merge, B+). Utterly charming, the soundscapes are perfect for Christmas Eve mood-setting and package-wrapping.

Living with struggle and keeping values intact is the recurring theme of "A Farmhouse Christmas" (Sugar Hill, A-) from the bluegrass duo Joey+Rory. This homespun offering utterly swept me up, unlike the twangy, multi-performer concert production of "A Skaggs Family Christmas Vol. 2" (Fontana, B), which comes down the chimney in a CD/DVD package. I admire their voices and musicianship. But as stage performers, most of the clan's stiff, and their chatter is often inane.

While stocked with new material, "This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 2" (Brushfire, C) seems somehow threadbare, barely making an impression. Contributors include Jack Johnson, the very groovy Animal Liberation Orchestra and Philly's own G. Love, contributing two originals. Shoulda stopped at Vol. 1, gang.

Don't know what Scott Weiland was drinking when he recorded "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Soft Drive, C-), but I'm guessing something strong.

Michael Buble isn't just a swinger in the Frank Sinatra/Bobby Darin/Tony Bennett vein. He's become their equal at stamping even the most familiar material with fresh insight, humor and vitality. Take, please, his new collection "Christmas" (Reprise/143 Records, A). Buble's throwing down quite the macho challenge on "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," getting all jitter-buggy with the lovely Puppini Sisters on "Jingle Bells." Then he's doo-wopping delightfully (with an equally playful Shania Twain) on "White Christmas" and testifying with LOTS of romantic heat on his slowed-down rendering of "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

So that's what the song is all about!

While not as original or daring, former Buble mentor Paul Anka accounts well for himself on the very smartly arranged and sung "Songs of December" (Decca, B). A classy affair.

Often aligned with Buble in the crooning department, Harry Connick Jr. goes his own merry way with "The Happy Elf" (Marsalis Music, B-).

The seasonal gift opens with a 10-minute spoken fable of a Santa's helper aiming to save the dreary populace of Bluesville.

Left me in yawnsville.

The rest - original instrumentals with Connick's trio - proves more appealing.

Still, I gotta say the guy and this album have been blown away by two other new sets from fellow New Orleans-based piano men . . .

The Marcus Roberts Trio's "Celebrating Christmas" (J-Master Records, B) offers offbeat (literally), stride-styled twists on "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman."

And the jazzy jingling set to die for is Ellis Marsalis' "A New Orleans Christmas Carol" (Elm, A).

The brood master serves 20 gems with his small group and sassy guest vocalists, sure to keep you bopping from here to Bethlehem, Pa.

Featuring musicians who worked on her hit pop albums, it's no surprise that "A Holiday Carole" (Hear Music, A) from Carole King offers much the same warmth and tasteful presentation.

And given her Jewish upbringing, King's mostly keeping things ecumenical, with all-purpose classics such as "My Favorite Things" and William Bell's country soul gem "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," and even a nod to her roots, "Chanukah Prayer."

With just one of the four seasons covered, "Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas" (Rhino, C-) left me cold, despite the input of original Four Seasons producer Bob Gaudio.

A better bet for old-soul fans, "In the Christmas Groove" (Strut, B) showcases obscure, stone-cold blues and funk grooves from the likes of Jimmy Reed, Wild Honey and the Soul Saints Orchestra.