Sarah McLachlan's WINTERSONG is a holiday album, yet it eschews the sprightly, sparkly feel of most seasonal releases. Instead, McLachlan sticks to the moody, adult contemporary folk sound for which she's known, bringing a reflective, occasionally melancholy atmosphere to a range of popular and traditional Christmas favorites. McLachlan's choice of covers is especially enjoyable; between her personal takes on "Greensleeves" and "Silent Night," she wedges emotive readings of songs by Gordon Lightfoot ("Song for a Winter's Night"), John Lennon ("Happy X-Man (War is Over)"), and Joni Mitchell ("River"). The blend of acoustic guitar, swelling synths, and the singer's wistful voice make WINTERSONG an appealing alternative to the usual holiday fare.