"Drummer Boy," Jars of Clay (Silvertone/Essential)

An alternative slash Christian rock act, the Jars take an original tack to their arrangement of the popular holiday tune, straddling power pop with a mildly world music-esque rhythm track. Then they do "The Grinch Mix" of same, dropping out most of the melody instruments in favor of the rhythm. The first is a bit more radio and personal mix-friendly. I usually steer clear of Christian rock myself, but in this case I would have deprived myself of something very nice. From 1995. UPDATE: Bob Bailey tips us that this also appeared on a 1995 EP on Brentwood Records called Drummer Boy, featuring an acoustic "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and the non-holiday cut "He." As it happens, the Amazon link takes you to the full EP. The Jars went the full Christmas album route a decade later.