A worthy successor - track-by-track review 1

As it is now, the successor of the classic album Merry Christmas. Boldly, I say, because, how is one a sensational album, including a self-penned Christmas songs cult top it. By contrast, it can actually look the new production only like a cheap copy, right?
Caveat: Mariah gave their best and I'm really surprised and impressed.

1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Intro)
Not evaluate Nice intro, but as an independent track due to the shortness (23 seconds). In combination with Track 2, this quiet intro is quite funny but because it promises just the right festive Christmas and stands in absolute contrast to Oh Santa.

2. Oh Santa! *****
That's the first single, which must now be compared to the classic All I Want for Christmas is You like yourself. And yes, a few similarities are certainly present: Absolute up-tempo number, vocally quite applied to the classic, catchy melody. The Beat / Bass as striking backbone creates a modern feel and is sorting somewhere between R'n'B and Disco. Danceable Definitely. The cheerleading chorus at the beginning may seem a bit strange, but the song exudes good humor pure. Whether this can be a timeless classic for now, only time will tell. I think that it is but certainly potential. For me this Christmas be a hit!

3. O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy (Medley) *****
Vocally an absolute highlight. Convinced Oh Santa already with direct, powerful vocals, Mariah has here a real show-off her sensational voice. Initially quiet and reserved, the drama over the song literally screwed in long-forgotten heights. An absolute classic Mariah! I particularly like that Mariah here demonstrates creativity and not simply runtersingt Christmas songs, but with a medley creates something new. Perfect for peaceful Christmas. Vocally so impressive that I hear the song since the beginning of November over again. The orchestral instrumentation fits perfectly.

4. Christmas Time Is in the Air Again *****
Ups, Mariah surprised with jazz. Here is Mariah's voice absolute priority, the silky hovering mostly above the instruments, but also in between times of powerful sets the tone. Woah, just perfect, that's what to chill out after the Rummel gifts. Reviews that criticize the notorious Whispern here, I can not really understand, because exactly gives the song a very wonderful atmosphere. For me, again full marks.

5. The First Noel / Born is the King (Interlude) ****
Here it is really solemn. Mariah silk voice to piano, more is needed. Later, a few strings and a sparsely inserted background choir joined to what makes the production a little rich, but would not have been necessary basically. Beautifully quiet and very festive. The song is followed by an interlude, which comes with R'n'B beat. Well, Interlude fits indeed in the calm atmosphere one, would not have to be, but because it is then at this point very urban Mariah and acts like a foreign body. When complete song elsewhere I would because maybe come at a better assessment. So I give the right song 5 Stars, the Interlude 3 - there can not be separate parts, which I find a pity whatsoever, because so yes can not ignore while listening to the Interlude, there is only 4 stars.

6. When Christmas Comes ****
The song is reminiscent of I Wish You Knew and Mine Again by her bestseller album The Emancipation of Mimi. Vocally at the same level, with this very Soul and the radio is the song a welcome change. But the obvious copy detracts from my enjoyment a bit. It looks a little like trying Mariah here also operate a little showcase by reminding them of recent successes. Nevertheless, it's not a bad song. Mix the 'Easter Egg', middle-Jingle Bells with times, I find great. Since flash precisely to the humor, the many not wait with her, and therefore do not perceive. For full marks it still is not enough reasons mentioned above, however.

7. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / Housetop Celepration ***
Another song that reminds her Mimi album, this time to Say Something to end even on a song from her album Glitter, namely Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Overall, it's less noticeable and gives a house party feel. Whether I need this Christmas? The Hey-hey-hey-ho-ho-ho of the types in the background and the party noise in general I do not need, therefore, there are deductions. Vocally makes the song but quite fun and makes for a change of course on the CD. But the bass line at the end is a prevented Anotherone Bites The Dust.

8. Charlie Brown Christmas ***
The introduction fits well although as a transition between the house party just and peaceful part of this song, but annoying somehow with the frantically excited Klaviertapserei and Hundekegläffe. After 45 seconds, it is fortunately over and Mariah shines for the next two minutes through her quiet voice with blues accompaniment. One third flop, two thirds Top, a total therefore again mediocre.

9. O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah (Chorus) *****
Now again real Christmas feeling with full voice onset and pure kitsch that it reminds them of their past. Mariah is supported by her mother, a former opera singer who contributes the Hallelujah chorus and of course a fortiori ensures festive drama. The song culminates in a vocal acrobatics show, a chasing the goose bumps. Great mix of Mariah and classical.

10. O Holy Night (Live) ****
A true classic from last Mariah Christmas album here in the live version. Mariah sang I have learned to love this song. The voice is simply madness. In fact, I hear O Holy Night is why sometimes sometimes even in summer * laughs * The live version is basically also perfect, however, bother me a little noise from the audience, partly you can even hear what they shout. I'm generally not as the friend of live recordings.

11. One Child *****
Again written a song by Mariah herself, that is loaded with great orchestration. Vocally withdrawn a little, is the song between pop ballad and musical feeling. The song builds up to the end dramatically and is a true highlight of the album.

12. All I Want for Christmas is You (Extra Festive) *****
Okay, so the classic's got it yet with the new album. However, what really should be extra Festive, she will not reveal to me so completely. The song has been slightly modernized, has got a richer Beat and here and there a bell more perhaps. However, I must say that Mariah manages to integrate these mega-hit in this way well into the new album. It is by no means so that the other songs fade or the classic sounds here less modern. And while listening to the album a really good mood is of course once again fashionable. Although the wheel was not reinvented, the experiment has succeeded well here.

13. Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem) ****
With full voice onset concludes even the classic turn of the year, including dance beat and party atmosphere. Whether this is really fit on a Christmas album, you can argue about it. I think the song selection good, the instrumentation would have wished, however, a little more loving. But I know now that I will listen to the song of the year and then: Party! : O)

14. Oh Santa! (Jump Smokers Edit)
As I loaded the songs in the iTunes US store as pre-order, this remix in the package was there. The song is brought in my opinion, quite unkind to pace. The beats and the bass seem inappropriate drab, so the atmosphere goes flutes. When I think of the former remixes that had real class, you can be really wistfully at such a track. It need not be jealous if he does not have this remix for its release here, you will not miss anything. I can hardly hear the title ...

CONCLUSION: Mariah has actually managed to break new ground with the new Christmas album here and there, but at the same time to create a truly Merry Christmas 2. Whether this album now is also a classic, I want a little doubt, but it works here and there to round. But time will tell. Nevertheless Mariah delivers an album here that does not need to hide behind its predecessor. Particularly positive is that really for each and every Christmas moments what is. So overall a very varied Christmas album, but can be well heard in one go. Already with me very popular in the player - and in December then a fortiori.