How does one place a sound that seems somewhere between a New York coffee-house open-podium, a New Orleans jazz lounge, and some Country-Western bar out in rural Wyoming? Triangulating the coordinates on a map, it makes sense that the result is the Cincinnati-based musical stylings of Over the Rhine. But really, one has to hear their music to appreciate it.

My lovely wife just got me their Christmas album, "Snow Angels," and I've been enjoying it immensely ever since my first listen. Somehow Over the Rhine manages to maintain their unique indy-jazz-country sound -- and still find a way to give it a subtle peppermint flavor for Christmas. Most of the songs on the album are original (Sorry: no frivolous renditions of "Frosty the Snowman"), but they fit with the holiday season because of their lyrics and their instrumentation, which carry a reminder of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

One thing that I especially appreciate about Over the Rhine is their lyrical content, both on "Snow Angels" and on their other projects. From everything I've heard, I gather that the husband-and-wife core of the band are sincere followers of Jesus -- which definitely does come out in their music -- but they're also not afraid to write about wine and sex and scenery. It's a refreshing take on Christian spirituality.

And of course, Over the Rhine is great because they're from Ohio: the seat of all satisfaction. :-) Nevermind the fact that I was introduced to their music by people from Texas, Missouri, Colorado, and Holland -- Over the Rhine's essential Ohioness has got to count for something special, doesn't it? In any event, I enjoy their music -- and especially their Christmas album.