Various Artists

Compare to: “Barenaked for the Holidays,” “Maybe This Christmas Too,” “Chris Issak Christmas”

If you ever wanted proof that Corporate America has wrung every drop of meaning out of the holiday season, you needn’t look further than “Music from The OC: Mix 3.” If the opening track by The Ravonettes doesn’t make you want to fall asleep at the wheel, then Jimmy Eat World’s godawful “Last Christmas” will make you want to drive into a tree. Jimmy Eat World sounds the way Weezer would if they didn’t have any talent.

Unfortunately, it’s even further downhill from there as the likes of Ben Kweller, Eels and Ron Sexsmith all take turns trying to convince you it is time to start hibernating with songs that are about as fresh as that carton of eggnog that’s been sitting in your fridge since last Christmas.

— Joshua Haun

Barenaked Ladies

Compare to: They Might Be Giants, Crash Test Dummies, The Flaming Lips

Don’t let the beginning lines of Barenaked Ladies’ rendition of “Jingle Bells” fool you.

The schmoozing charm that opens the album is sweet, sentimental and almost — and dare it be said — sincere. Just when you start thinking there’s something wrong with this picture, a throwback to the adolescent version of the holiday favorite jumps completely out of nowhere.

But as the quirky boys sing proudly the standard playground version — “Jingle bells/ Batman smells/ Robin laid an egg,” you remember who you’re listening to. Sure, they don’t have the time or patience to devote their sentiment fully to each song, but fans of the Canadian pop quintet will rejoice for this quirky compilation.

— Katie Piepel

Various Artists

Compare to: “Have a Very Merry Christmukkah,” “The Edge of Christmas,” “A Winter’s Night: Best of Christmas”

Winter holidays are wonderful. They really are. Presents, decorations and rosy cheeks all with a beautiful snowy backdrop make you remember just why you love life and living. But never mind that for now. “Maybe This Christmas Tree” is the third in an alternative-indie series of holiday compilations from Nettwerk, and this one boasts songs from many demigods in the indie genre.

Highlights of the album include many smoothly done covers. Death Cab for Cutie introduces a masterful remake of Phil Spector’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — taking the best from both Spector’s wall of sound and Death Cab’s mellow piano interludes.

— Kathryn Fiegen