Preamble
I'm really fickle about Christmas music. I have yet to find any "modern" cd's out there that I actually like. Please, no Toni Braxton, no Mariah Carey and certainly no Destiny's Child. I want some Christmas music that I'll enjoy past the holiday. Especially from my generation. You know, like The Wilsons, Hey Santa!.

What's On Here?
Well, a bunch of artists that you'll probably recognize. Yep, that's how the record company suckers you in to buying this cd. They think you'll recognize all of the artists and you'll think, Well, if all of these people are on here, it must be a good thing to buy.

Do not be so naive my friend.

Sleigh Ride - Spice Girls
Ugh! Ginger and Baby seem to do most of the vocals on this track. To say that this wouldn't even be considered for elevator music is an understatement. The arrangements - both vocal and musical are bland and uninspiring. But you know, that seems to be a theme for this entire cd.
Grade: F

Christmas Time - Backstreet Boys
Ah! Here we go, I thought. If there's one thing that BSB can do is turn something from green to gold. This is their kind of material. Wrong! Remind me to let Max Martin know that Christmas songs are not his forte. I'm looking for Max's usual full harmony parts and even though I hear hints of it, it never happens. It's Christmas music for gawd's sake! Be a little dramatic here!
Grade: D

Song For A Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
Sarah, my sweet Sarah. She can never go wrong. I thought for sure her inclusion on to this cd meant good things. Thank you Gordon Lightfoot for contributing some decent musical material. Thank you Sarah for contributing something that I can rate higher than a failing grade. Although not her best, it's still decent. It's quiet and thoughtful.
Grade: B

Santa Baby - Everclear
Ooooh! If Everclear's on here, then this is going to be tons of fun to listen to! Alright, let me say that although this isn't a bad version - c'mon guys! This is a girl's song. Madonna did it much better!
Grade: C

Christmastime In Tinseltown (Again) - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Kristina says to herself, who is this group? I think I've heard of them before.... Having absolutely no expectations of this song or this group, I was pleasantly surprised. Their sound was similar to The Stray Cats without any of that annoying twang of Brian Setzer.
Grade: B

What Christmas Means To Me - Hanson
Hanson....grrr....they're Evan and Jaron wannabees. The musical arrangement is actually not bad. The annoying voices however make this impossible to redeem. Note to whoever has that squeaky voice, You are not Michael Jackson from the Jackson 5.
Grade: D

The First Noel - Brian McKnight
Normally, I like Brian McKnight. I don't love him, but I appreciate him. With a piece like The First Noel, you would figure that he could go lots of places with it. Make a real emotional piece. Nope. Flat. Uninspiring. The usual music arrangement. I don't fail him only because he at least, can sing.
Grade: D

Good King Wenceslas - Loreena McKennitt
I have no clue who this chick is. Props to her though for having a musical arrangement that at least shows some sort of creativity. The music is heavy on the Irish/Celtic instruments. I like that stuff. Her voice is a little to operatic for me to really love this though.
Grade: C

Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer - Meredith Brooks
I was looking for a nice, hard edged Rudolph. You know, a song by a Sheryl Crowe type rocker. Nope. What I got here was a watered down version of something maybe Elvis would sing. It had a slight country twang to it shivers.
Grade: F

The Happiest Christmas - Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith - I can take him in small doses. I'm not big into Christian music. I did however, love his singles, Place In This World and I Will Be Here For You. Finally! Here's the type of track that I expected to be on here. Michael's musical and vocal arrangements are lush, full, and they scream sentimental holiday time. Now multiply this times 11 and I would have loved this product. sniff sniff
Grade: A

Carol of the Bells - Deana Carter
With a name like Deana Carter, I knew that she had to be country-related. Yep, she is however, I'm pleasantly surprised here that her voice comes off as very folk like. It's missing that very twang that gets under my skin. In addition, she actually puts some feeling behind her vocals. What's up with that? And certainly, why would you leave the good stuff until last?
Grade: B

The End
You're really better off listening to the classical stuff. Pull out your Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Tony Bennett. And if you're looking for something a little more modern, check out Carnie and Wendy Wilson's Christmas cd, Hey Santa!

Recommended: No