ing, the truth is the Pink Floyd material — surprise, surprise — stands out.

ing, the truth is the Pink Floyd material — surprise, surprise — stands out.

John Mellencamp “20th Century Masters: The Best of John Mellencamp” CD (Island)

In case John Mellencamp fans don’t have either of the two previously released best-of sets from Indiana’s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” singer, the new “20th Century Masters: The Best of John Mellencamp” probably isn’t what you want. Not only does this 10-track compilation skip many of Mellencamp’s better known tunes, but it includes lackluster material from the singer’s recent albums. Considering the wealth of familiar tunes in Mellencamp’s oeuvre, 2004’s 40-plus track “Words & Music: John Mellencamp’s Greatest Hits” is a better bet.

Santana “Ultimate Santana” CD (Artista)

Just as unlikely as classic rocker Carlos Santana’s return to prominence was in 1999 with his guest-spot-driven, multi-platinum “Supernatural” album, which included the ubiquitous hit single “Smooth,” the guitarist’s new career-spanning set “Ultimate Santana” is unlikely to drum up much interest from music fans. In today’s downloading world, the notion of having “Oye Como Va” and “Black Magic Woman” alongside “Smooth” isn’t too exciting. Perhaps diehards will want to hear an unreleased version of “Into the Night” with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, but casual listeners are better off focusing their efforts elsewhere.

SEASONAL

Hall & Oates “Home for Christmas” CD (DKE Records)

Pop Philly soul act Hall & Oates has officially thrown its hat into the seasonal music ring with its new album “Home for Christmas.” Among the more interesting tracks is the group’s bluesy gospel take of “Mary Had a Baby,” which finds the duo’s unique ability to capture its soulful side with a rock ’n’ roll heart. Contemporary sounds (“Jingle Bell Rock”) with solemn moments (“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”) could make “Home For Christmas” a classic seasonal album for generations to come.

Jars of Clay “Christmas Songs” CD Gray Matters

Contemporary Christian rock act Jars of Clay is preaching to the choir with its first ever full-length holiday album, “Christmas Songs.” The 14-track effort is the first release on the Nashville act’s new label Gray Matters. Among the songs are faithfully recorded traditional seasonal tracks (“O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”) along with original holiday tunes (the quiet “The Gift of St. Cecilia” and the gentle “Winter Skin”), which belie the band’s Christian alt rock image. 

Kidz Bop “The Coolest Kidz Bop Christmas Ever!” CD (Razor & Tie)

Let’s be honest, normally children-based holiday albums are responsible for parents/grandparents/family members going insane during the Yuletide season. That’s exactly why “The Coolest Kidz Bop Christmas Ever!” is worth the investment. Not only are kids – not characters and their annoying character voices – singing the popular songs (“White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Deck the Halls”), but the tunes are even palatable (within reason; say, 10 repeats in a row daily) for adult listening.

Darlene Love “It’s Christmas, of Course” CD (Shout)

If your Christmas music collection consists of The Chipmunks and Perry Como, you may want to update it by a few decades with Darlene Love’s first ever seasonal release, “It’s Christmas, Of Course.” Known for her work with Phil Spector in the ’60s, Love has recorded an album of favorite pop holidays songs that come across as wall-of-sound fresh and festive. While she doesn’t sing “(Christmas) Baby Please Come Home,” which she often performs on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” stand out tracks from this soulful singer include John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” and The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles.” 

Barry Manilow “In the Swing of Christmas” CD (Hallmark)

Following in the footsteps of Josh Groban and George Strait, Barry “I write the songs that make the whole world sing” Manilow has recorded a Hallmark Gold Crown Christmas album, which is only available for a limited time at Hallmark stores. The 10-track disc is pretty much as you would expect (“Joy to the World” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”), with a special vocally layered version of “Silver Bells” easily taking audiences back to a different time when shopping downtown at Christmas time was something special.

Relient K “Let It Snow, Baby…Let It Reindeer” CD (Capitol)

While it’s not surprising Canton’s own pop-punk Christian act Relient K is releasing a holiday album, what does come as a shock is that it didn’t happen earlier. Consider this album the perfect buy for the festive Vans Warped fan, who invariably will dig the band’s interpretation of “Handel’s Messiah” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” along with original tracks “I Hate Christmas Parities” and “I Celebrate the Day.” Be sure to check out the goofy but charming version of “I’m Gettin’ Nuttin’ For Christmas.”

KT Tunstall “Have Yourself a Very KT Christmas CD (EMI)

No offense to big box retail chains, but when an album is only sold at Target, red flags go up. However, it’s a different ball game when an engaging Scottish singer-songwriter gets involved. Her “NBC Sounds of the Season: The KT Tunstall Holiday Collection” features six holiday tracks, including a tear-jerking cover of The Pretenders’ seasonal classic “2000 Miles.” Also noteworthy is the off-kilter take of popular seasonal song “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home).” Invariably, KT’s set overshadows other NBC/Target efforts by Taylor Swift and Elliott Yamin.

Twisted Sister “A Twisted Sister Christmas” DVD (Razor & Tie)

What are the odds Twisted Sister would not only release a holiday album, which it did last year with “A Twisted Sister Christmas,” but have the moxie to video record its annual New Jersey seasonal show for a DVD set? Well, Dee Snider and company have done just this with the new “A Twisted Sister Christmas.” Perhaps the most apropos moment comes when the ‘80s band sandwiches its obscure hit “Burn in Hell” between “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Silver Bells.” Even more odd, it freakishly works. Thankfully, the band does include some of its hits — “We’re Not Going to Take it” and “I Wanna Rock.”

Various Artists “Monster Ballads Xmas” CD (Razor & Tie) 

Here’s the perfect gift for that one friend or family member whose musical tastes are horrifically limited to ‘80s rock. Really, how did we get through the holiday season before without Skid Row’s “Jingle Bells,” Queensryche’s “White Christmas” and Dokken’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” No, really, this is serious. In fact, there’s Winger delving into John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” and Firehouse’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” A monstrosity to most of us, this holiday set will invariably be the best gift your Tesla-wearing-T-shirt friend receives for years.

COUNTRY

Johnny Cash “Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1976” & “Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977” DVDs (Shout)

 For younger music fans who only discovered Johnny Cash late in his life when he was busy recording unexpected rock cover songs, there are two new DVDs that truly show what a star and legend the Man in Black was during his heyday. While “Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1976” has more of a traditional and reverent country feel, with guest appearances by Roy Clark and Billy Graham, “Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977” stands out for its all-star tribute to Elvis Presley, who had died two months prior to its taping. The performance of “This Train is Bound for Glory” — featuring Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison — should be on permanent display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Crystal Gayle “Greatest Hits” (Capitol)

For the old school country music fan who seemingly has everything and always complains about today’s Nashville sound, here’s a perfect gift that won’t make their brown eyes blue. Crystal Gayle has released a best-of set that includes her first No. 1 single, “I’ll Get Over You,” along with other notable tracks such as “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “You And I.” The latter song is a duet with popular ’70s/’80s country singer Eddie Rabbitt. While the songs may sound dated, that’s actually the point with a “Greatest Hits” record.

George Strait “22 More Hits” CD (MCA Nashville)

This we know is true, when you have 55 No. 1 hit singles to your credit, you can pretty much do as you damn well please. This leads us to George Strait’s latest best-of set “22 More Hits,” which comes on the heels of 2006’s “Strait Hits.” The new 22-song-album consists of tracks, which span a quarter of a century, that had the audacity not to hit No. 1 for Strait. This includes his 1981 debut single, “Unwound,” and newer material, such as “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls.” Actually, for those who didn’t buy last year’s greatest hits set, the new album, along with the 2006 compilation, fit together like a pair of Wrangler jeans and a horse saddle.

Randy Travis “Songs of the Season” (Word)

Country baritone Randy Travis is back with his first Christmas album “Songs of the Season” in nearly 20 years. Even though it’s been a while, the material falls right in line with Travis’ image and catalog. Invariably, “Songs of the Season” is a traditional sounding Christmas album for the traditional country singer. Standout tracks include the stoic “Away in a Manger,” the laidback “Nothing’s Gonna Bring Me Down at Christmas Time” and the playful “Let it Snow, Let it Snow.”