Track 11: Flowers in December

Flowers in December by Mazzy Star.

Much as we might prefer otherwise, more than a few people find the holidays more melancholy than festive. Even if it were not so, a little musical space in the packed throng of major scales and four-part harmonies that fill most Christmas music never hurts.

Mayur: I largely associate Mazzy Star with the background mood music playing at the bars I used to hit a decade ago, but a few of their songs have a sense of restraint coupled with emotional punch that I'd otherwise associate with a serious, mature folk artist like Dylan. This is one of them.

Photo of geranium species "Stephane Grappelli."