Christmas Present, various artists (Lojinx)

Download this free Christmas album from 2008 from the British label's website. Nate Campany kicks things off with "Be Home For Christmas," a ballad with light strings and horns asking a lover to return for the holidays. Nightlights get off a folky original in "Christmas Time (I Wish I Was Near You)," a similar sentiment, and Henrik gets a little help from Nashville songwriter Kim Richey on "It's Christmas But Listen!," a bit of nostalgia for the holiday. The Wellingtons rock out with the power pop song "I Guess it's Christmas" and The Bad Machines break out a fake kiddie choir (sounds more like an adult woman multi-tracked) for "Not This Time," a whispered declaration that she won't be home for Christmas. Farrah bangs out a blue-eyed soul number, "Santa Don't Go," and Caroline Lost wraps things up with a drone-y ballad, "Say You're Mine." This is a nice collection, better than some I've paid real money for.