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Now I may not be a 12-year-old girl, but I do have Bieber fever.
Like every other music star, Justin Bieber released a new Christmas album on Nov. 1, just in time for this year’s holidays.
The album features classics such as “The Christmas Song,” “Someday at Christmas,” “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night.”
The album also has seven original songs, with collaborators like Usher, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and The Band Perry.
“Only Thing I Ever Get For Christmas” is the first track on the CD. It is a beautifully romantic mid-tempo song and the addition of the guitar is a great touch.
“Mistletoe” was previously released as a single and a music video. The original song is about how he knows he should be doing other things around the holidays but all he wants to do is be with the girl he loves: “I should be playing in the winter snow/ But I’mma be under the mistletoe/ With you, shawty with you…I should be making a list, I know/ But I’mma be under the mistletoe/ With you, shawty with you.”
The music video is a very sweet representation of the song. The premise is that the girl Justin is seeing is upset that all these girls keep coming up to him, but he tells her he just wants to be under the mistletoe with her.
The rendition of “The Christmas Song” featuring Usher is beautifully arranged, and it is interesting to hear Justin sing with his mentor because their voices sync together perfectly. It is by far the best collaboration on the album.
The arrangement of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a modern update of a classic. Bieber even throws in some Jackson 5 (“Shake it, shake it, baby” anyone?).
Another excellent collaboration on the album is Justin Bieber’s and Boyz II Men‘s “Fa La La,” an original song that also comes in an a cappella version. Both are great additions to the record. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Bieber and Mariah Carey’s version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.
The new version definitely does not do the original justice. Also another disappointment is “Drummer Boy.” While yes, Justin Bieber may be able to rap, it is not appropriately suited for this type of album. I understand that Bieber was experimenting with different sounds, but this just does not fit correctly.
Bieber redeems himself with “All I Want Is You” and “Christmas Eve.”
“Christmas Eve” is a smooth R&B song written by Chris Brown for the album.
“Home This Christmas” is an interesting and original mix of and up and coming country band, The Band Perry, and R&B. I am excited to be hearing the new catchy and upbeat pop song “Christmas Love” this holiday season.
While “Pray” is a touching song, I don’t exactly know if it has a place on this album (it has previously been on the Bieber album “My Worlds Acoustic”). It is a tender song but has nothing to do with Christmas.
Overall, I think Justin Bieber has it right. I know that there are so many Christmas albums out there with all the same songs, but I am definitely excited to hear this one.
You don’t have to be a 12-year-old girl to like this album. I mean you have to admit, the kid’s got talent. I would rate the album 3 ½ stags out of 4.
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