Ben Folds enters the holiday album world with a 10-song collection of his sophisticated, ever-enchanting, piano-led pop. Sleigher falls in line with the melancholic mood of the Vince Guaraldi Trio and the hits of composer Burt Bacharach. He even covers “The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle,” which was written by Bacharach and recorded by Herb Alpert & the Tijuan Brass. Later, he covers the classic “The Christmas Song” accompanied (mostly) by guitar. As far as Folds’ originals, they play out like an original cast album that features selections so emotionally bare and evocative that they drop you into sadness’ depths or raise you towards unrestrained jubilation. “Me and Maurice” reflects the former state of mind – a man and his dog and a loneliness that won’t be satisfied by season’s greetings – while “Christmas Time Rhyme” finds its upbeat attitude and holds on to it despite the changes that arrive with each passing year. Joined by actress and songwriter Lindsey Kraft on the duet “We Could Have This” the track plays out as a powerful representation of finding love and enjoying all its sensations during the holiday season. One can easily imagine it performed on a stage with actors along with the rest of Sleigher. “Xmas Aye Eye” resides uncomfortably as a purposeful oddity as Folds has some fun with the AI method of creation as well as morphing into his best Nine Inch Nails persona. Due to all that experimentation, it would have been more amusing as a hidden bonus track. Thankfully, he returns to the musical approach that made the previous eight numbers so successful and finishes his examination of the holidays and their mix of despondent and celebratory moments with a final cover — The Mills Brothers’ “You Don’t Have to be a Santa Claus” – that features warm background vocals to mimic the original. It ends Sleigher with the upbeat thought that you can bring Christmas cheer to others throughout the year.