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CD Reviews: Merry Christmas II You Posted by Lynn on Friday, 05-Nov-2010, 7:53PM EDT |
Mariah Carey Merry Christmas II You Island By Caryn Ganz, Rolling Stone Sixteen years have passed since Mariah Carey released her first blockbuster holiday album, but she hasn't lost her desire to dress up in a Santa suit or the silky flexibility of her voice. Her take on a new batch of traditionals like "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is straightforward and sweet, full of strings and torchy piano arrangements and outfitted with a cameo from her opera-singer mom, Patricia, on "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus." Half of the disc's new originals are ballads – including "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" and "One Child," both thick with gooey orchestration – but Mariah bops to a schoolyard-chant beat on "Oh Santa!" and digs out a retro groove for "When Christmas Comes." It's hard to figure out what's "extra festive" (as the full song title promises) about her "All I Want for Christmas Is You" update, and far easier to determine what's wrong with "Auld Lang Syne" (an awkward dance beat), but the LP's warm heart is in the right place. Mariah Carey makes spirits bright with new CD Merry Christmas II You should boost singer's career By Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle Christmas has been kind to Mariah Carey. Her first holiday album became that all-too-rare of things – a modern classic. It was unpretentious, unfussy and joyous, buoyed by fantastic single All I Want for Christmas Is You, which still rings throughout the season. Much of that same magic infuses Merry Christmas II You, Carey's follow-up to that 1994 highlight. More importantly, the new disc should also give her a much-needed career jolt. Carey's last two studio efforts, E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, were commercial disappointments. Santa needs to deliver a hit. Carey sounds better than she has in a long time throughout Merry Christmas II You, which keeps her in a swirl of gospel choruses and lush production. Her belting is strong, and she doesn't overdo the breathy coos. Credit Broadway and film composer Marc Shaiman (Hairspray, Sister Act, several Bette Midler hits), who worked on several of the best tracks. A quartet of new songs fit in snugly with the classics. First single Oh Santa! is irresistible, all hand claps and '60s girl-group swing. (Expect it to dominate ringtones as the holidays approach.) Christmas Time Is in the Air Again boasts swooping notes and tasteful strings, and When Christmas Comes plays like a holiday spin on the brassy R&B tunes that highlighted Carey's Emancipation of Mimi disc. The solemn One Child sounds a bit like a Michael Jackson tune (complete with kid chorus). It's a bit overwrought, but it's hard not to be swayed by the sweetness. It's likely taken on a special meaning with the recent announcement of Carey's pregnancy. Carey's take on The First Noel morphs into a soulful slow jam, and she adds some club bounce to Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane). Her variation on the iconic Charlie Brown Christmas is appropriately gentle and nostalgic. And Carey's mother, Patricia, adds an operatic flourish to O Come All Ye Faithful, which builds to a grand, glass-shattering finale. (A good thing for Carey fans.) The new disc also includes a pair of repeats from Carey's first Christmas album: a rousing live performance of O Holy Night and an extra-festive version of All I Want for Christmas Is You (which isn't much different from the original, aside from a few extra chimes). "Does anybody really know the words?" Carey asks during a thumping Auld Lang Syne. It hardly matters. There's enough sweet spirit here to keep the holidays merry, musical and bright. Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas II You Solid New Holiday Collection By Bill Lamb, About.com Mariah Carey ushers us into the holiday music season in high style. Following the relative commercial disappointment of Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, she initially planned a remix album with a few new tracks. However, a Christmas collection was chosen instead. That seems a wise decision. The result is a relaxed, joyful and fun holiday celebration. Just like her first multi-platinum Christmas album Merry Christmas, this set of traditional carols and new holiday songs should quickly find its place on your seasonal playlist. Relaxed, Celebratory Feel for Mariah Carey There is an overall relaxed, comfortable feel to Merry Christmas II You that is very engaging. Some of the best moments evoke a party atmosphere. "Oh Santa!" is perfect music for a party with friends. Don't be surprised if you find yourself singing along. Mariah Carey's version of music from A Charlie Brown Christmas has an air of relaxed intimacy with breathy, jazzy vocals that will warm your holiday heart. The live version of "O Holy Night" from WPC in south central Los Angeles will cause chills in its live simplicity. It is an opportunity to hear Mariah Carey tackle some deeper, throatier tones. New Songs Including Another Contemporary Classic In general the new songs here are solid. "Oh Santa!" is mentioned above. Bryan Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri have helped Mariah Carey concoct a new Christmas classic. "When Christmas Comes" takes on a very pleasing retro soul vibe. "One Child" is pure holiday power ballad. A children's chorus is used effectively, and then Mariah Carey brings it all back down to earth by song's end. Only "Christmas Time Is In the Air Again" stumbles. It seems to drown in a sea of orchestral schmaltz. However when talking about new holiday songs, hitting the right tone three out of four times is a good batting average indeed. Top Tracks On 'Merry Christmas II You' • "Oh Santa!" • "When Christmas Comes" • "Charlie Brown Christmas" • "O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus" • "O Holy Night" Mariah Carey's Christmas Celebration Should Not Be Missed This is a Christmas album that should be on most pop fans' must hear list for the 2010 holiday season. Since it is Mariah Carey, there are moments that the melismatic approach gets a bit out of hand. Her version of "The First Noel" is the most notable example. The collaboration with Mariah Carey's mother Patricia Carey, an opera singer, on "O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus" is over the top and gloriously so. Here Mariah Carey is at her best as she threatens to take everything too far sonically with operatic tones, impossibly high notes, and melisma in full force, but somehow it all holds together in exhilarating fashion. Merry Christmas II You also includes a slightly updated version of her previous classic "All I Want For Christmas Is You" while closing with a disco dance party version of "Auld Lang Syne" leading us all into the New Year in full force party mode. Mariah Carey does know her way around Christmas albums. |
Source: Rolling Stone | Houston Chronicle | About |
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