Review Proof
Justin Bieber - Under the Mistletoe
I don't think I've ever voluntarily listened to a Justin Bieber song, not because I hate his music or resent his meteoric rise to popstardom but becuase I'm about 30 years and a Y chromosome removed from his target demographic. That said I was pleasantly surprised with the general listen-ability of the first few tracks. It certainly helped that there seems to be a surprisingly transparent policy of musical "borrowing" in play (and if I can hear it I bet there are a bunch of music industry lawyers out there who can too). There's a bunch of high profile guests cashing a paycheck here but I'd much rather listen to a Boyz II Men or The Band Perry holiday album than thier contributions here.
So, Under the Mistletoe is slick and superficial and exactly what this sort of pre-processed Tiger Beat cheese is supposed to be. After all, if I can still listen to my Partridge Family and Brady Bunch Christmas albums who am I to criticize today's teenybopper flavor of the month. Plus he's tying a whole bunch of charitable activity to the album so his heart seems to be in the right place.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on MOG
Under The Mistletoe [+video] [+digital booklet] at Amazon.com
***
Highly Recommended
Meaghan Smith - It Snowed
Charming indie chanteasue Smith's whimsical holiday pop has a lovely vintage feeling without resorting to kitsch or irony. Great stuff!
***
Libera - The Christmas Album
Lovely Classical Crossover stuff from the popular, and non-profit,London based Choirboy collective.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on MOG
Libera: The Christmas Album on Amazon.com
***
Recommended
Carole King - A Holiday Carole
A welcome, if occasionally uneven, collection of holiday favorites from the legandary singer-songstress. Her album opening take on the quasi-Christmas classic My Favorite Things is my new favorite version but it's followed up by an oddly frantic Carol of the Bells and a generic yet strained Sleigh Ride. Imperfections aside A Holiday Carole is still a welcome addition to any classic pop fan's seasonal collection.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on MOG
A Holiday Carole at Amazon.com
***
The Sing Off - Songs of the Season
Solid collection of holiday pop a capella from the cream of this year's contestants on the harmony heavy reality compiotition The Sing Off. Check out last year's holiday collection here
The Sing-Off: Songs Of The Season at Amazon.com
***
Elf - The Musical
Enjoyable musical comedy take on the elf out of water tale best known from the Will Ferrell movie of a few years back. Probably even jollier if you've seen the show, which i haven't..
Elf - The Musical on Amazon.com
***
Check out last week's pick here
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