Sound Advice
A Very She & Him Christmas/Merge
Ever since I heard her sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the film "Elf," I've wanted Zooey Deschanel to record an entire album of Christmas music. This year, my wish has come true.
Deschanel already has made a successful transition from actress to singer as one half of the duo She & Him. Now, after two albums of retro original music, Deschanel and musical partner M. Ward have graced us with an album of holiday tunes.
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is included in the lineup, although this time it is Ward, not Will Ferrell, providing the other half of the duet.
You also get holiday classics such as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Silver Bells."
Interestingly enough, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is one of the weaker selections here. The good stuff comes when the duo emphasizes the sound that endeared it to fans in the first place: vintage, echoed vocals and guitar with minimal other accompaniment.
Some of the stronger moments come in the album's opening track, "The Christmas Waltz," the hint of rockabilly in "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and the always upbeat "Sleigh Ride."
The band's attempt at The Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" falls flatter than grandma after she was run over by that reindeer.
Key Tracks: "The Christmas Waltz," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Sleigh Ride."
Send Me Some Snow/Ultimate Vibe
Unless you're into jazz guitarists that like to inject the '70s music sound into their compositions, then you probably haven't heard of Chris Standring.
The British-born jazz guitarist has managed to make a name for himself in the music world thanks to the aforementioned affinity for the '70s sound.
When planning his first collection of Christmas music, Standring recruited vocalist Kathrin Shorr to sing over his vintage jazz holiday tunes.
What is surprising is that, unlike most holiday albums, this CD comprises all original material.
Shorr's voice sounds like a cross between Zooey Deschanel and Nellie McCay, and man, can she swing. Standouts on this album include the title track with its brushed drums and plucked violins, the future classic "I've Got a Thing for Jack" and the best track on the album, "Mistletoe Moon."
There is nothing terribly groundbreaking here, just an album of new Christmas music with nary a bad tune in the bunch.
It's great, safe stuff to play while trimming the tree or in the background at your holiday drop-in. Hopefully, this won't be the last time that Standring and Shorr team up.
Key Tracks: "Send Me Some Snow," "I've Got a Thing for Jack," "Mistletoe Moon."
This Warm December, A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 2/Brushfire
When chill-rock master Jack Johnson released the compilation "This Warm December" on Brushfire Records a few years back, it proved to be a treasure trove of new holiday music. Artists such as Matt Costa, Zee Avi, Rogue Wave, G. Love and Johnson delivered originals and reimagined classics in Brushfire's trademark mellow style.
Johnson's Volume 2 of "This Warm December" reassembles many of the same artists who made the initial release successful. Johnson performs the bouncy "In the Morning" and the lullabye-like "Angel (Holiday)," while Rogue Wave tries its hand at "Jingle Bell Rock."
Zee Avi turns "Frosty the Snowman" into a minor key example of how to make a cute classic sound borderline sinister, and ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) provides the holiday blues on "Let It Ride."
Among the best selections are Zach Gill's "Party Hard" and both tracks by G. Love, especially the somewhat suggestive "Christmas Cookies." Only Money Mark's synthesizer-heavy "Make Time" misses the mark.
Volume 2 keeps things light yet delivers a surprisingly good amount of quality holiday music. I'm already looking forward to the third volume.
Key Tracks: "Party Hard," "Frosty the Snowman," "Christmas Cookies."
