While most of America is getting into the haunted spirit this weekend for Halloween, I am looking ahead to the holiday spirit by getting ahead and reviewing some holiday albums that your family and friends will love. As you sip on your eggnog, or wrap presents, these albums will help you get into the Christmas spirit...
JORDAN SMITH-TIS THE SEASON:
The newly crowned winner from The Voice has not disappointed us from his sweet voice from singing classics like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town with a jazzy/gospel spin to What Child Is This to remind us what the season is really about. His album will make you smile this season as you hustle and bustle. You will be the life of the Christmas party when playing Rocking Around The Christmas Tree. Such a perfect combination of his vocal abilities and a reminder at why he is the reigning champ of The Voice. I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith making the holiday special rounds on TV.
PENTATONIX-A PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS:
Our favorite acapella group is back with their latest holiday album. I found myself nodding my head to the upbeat Up On The Housetop which is a sweet upgrade for 2016. I also enjoyed the happy-grooving Christmas Sing-Along, which put a smile on my face. Their first release, Hallelujah left me in such a grateful mood and yes, I did get misty eyed at how all of their vocals blended together on such a special song. While I enjoyed them covering the *NSYNC classic Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, their vocal talents really shine on the track Coventry Carol. Pentatonix reminds us why we look forward to hearing to their albums all year long, whether it be Christmas or in the summertime.
STRAIGHT NO CHASER-I'LL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS ALBUM:
Straight No Chaser is my state's best kept secret. This group that was founded on the grounds on my alma mater, Indiana University twenty years ago. They have been featured on PBS for their holiday specials, performed around the world and even had the task of performing Back Home Again In Indiana at the first Indy 500 after Jim Nabors retired in 2014. Fans across the country love them, and you will too after hearing their latest Christmas album, I'll Have Another Christmas Album. From timeless favorites like Do You Hear What I Hear and even Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, to fun songs like To Christmas! (The Drinking Song) However, my favorite song from the album is Mary, Did You Know? You really get to see the vocal talent from SNC. This album will quickly be a favorite to audiences young and old.
RASCAL FLATTS-THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL:
One plus that I love about holiday albums is the originality to classics. That is exactly what Rascal Flatts did on their new holiday album. This album is simple, calming and original. I enjoyed their version of Deck The Halls, which takes a different spin from previous versions one may hear. One song that got me in the mood is called A Strange Way To Save The World, which describes Mary and Joseph's fear as they welcomed baby Jesus into the world and what they were getting themselves in TO upon King Jesus's birth. I love that there are more Christmas songs that deal with Jesus's birth and not the secular parts of what the holiday brings. While the songs explore a funk, pop sound, the band doesn't stray from their country background.
