Christmas music with a Nashville accent

The Boxmasters, 'Christmas Cheer'

The Boxmasters is a rockabilly-fueled trio featuring J.D. Andrew, Mike Butler and famed actor-writer-musician Billy Bob Thornton. The band's Christmas album is a rollicking little thing, but it's also varied enough to touch on some of the holiday season's sadder moments. A cover of John Prine's "Christmas in Prison" is by turns wry ("The food was real good/ We had turkey and pistols carved out of wood") and lonesome ("I dream of her always, even when I don't dream"). A winning effort, and an effortless listen.

- Peter Cooper