Cheers, It’s Christmas.
Label: Warner Bothers Nashville
Release Date: October 2nd 2012 (Standard Edition) / October 6th 2017 (Deluxe Edition) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Jingle Bell Rock (feat. Miranda Lambert)
- White Christmas
- Oklahoma Christmas (feat. Reba McEntire)
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
- There’s A New Kid In Town (feat. Kelly Clarkson)
- Santa’s Got A Choo Choo Train
- Home (feat. Michael Bublé)
- Winter Wonderland
- The Christmas Song
- Blue Christmas (feat. Pistol Annies)
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas
- Silver Bells (feat. Xenia)
- Time For Me To Come Home (feat. Dorothy Shackleford)
- The Very Best Time Of Year (feat. Trypta-Phunk)
- Savior’s Shadow [DELUXE]
- Two Step ‘Round The Christmas Tree [DELUXE]
- Christmas Eve [DELUXE]
Initial thoughts: An overproduced Christmas album bloated at 14 tracks (standard) and 17 tracks (deluxe) with a country artist with a distinguishable twang that makes it hard to get into the holiday spirit… but a sustained listen has turned my expectations of this project into one of the most inspiring and encouraging Christmas albums ever. Blake has immense passion, and his fun, happy-go-lucky and positive demeanour is extremely contagious and infectious in a good way! The Grinch will soon be a Christmas loving Grinch if he’s listening to Cheers, It’s Christmas this Christmas- that’s for sure!
Reason to listen: There’s a joy and an infectious bubbly happiness all throughout on this Christmas album that I haven’t heard much on any other recent Christmas album. That may not be your opinion though, and that’s ok… but take a listen to the positive and celebratory Cheers, It’s Christmas and I’m sure you’ll be grinning from ear to ear and singing along in no time!
Reason to buy: For the duet with Michael Bublé, for the duet with Kelly Clarkson, to continue your Blake Shelton collection, to complete your Blake Shelton collection, or to even start your Blake Shelton collection. When you buy this album, you’ll instantly become a country music fan- so be prepared everyone, because you’re going to be opened up to a wide array of music you’ve never heard before… in a very good way!
Reason to skip: Because you don’t like country music? That could be possible… so I guess Blake may not be your cup of tea. Otherwise, I’d say give this album a shot. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. And yes, take my word on it!
No. of carols: 8
No. of originals: 9- including a Gwen Stefani cover (track #17), a Keith Whitley cover (track #5) and a Michael Bublé cover (track #7)
No of guest artists: 8 (Miranda Lambert on track #1, Reba McEntire on track #3, Kelly Clarkson on track #5, Michael Bublé on track #7, Pistol Annies on track #10, Xenia on track #12, Dorothy Shackleford on track #13 and Trypta-Phunk on track #14)
Does it have heart?: From what I’ve heard of country music, it seems like they’re the most authentic, honest and vulnerable artists ever. They’re a special breed of artist- and it’s the same trend on Cheers, It’s Christmas. Blake is as vulnerable as ever here, especially on “Savior’s Shadow” where he sings about his faith in Jesus. Though a number of these songs are ‘holiday’ in nature, I’d say this album over Bublé’s Christmas any day of the week!
Does it have a Christmas-y atmosphere?: It has a country atmosphere, and a reworked Christmas verse/chorus for Michael Buble’s smash hit “Home”. There’s a few bells and whistles here and there (especially on “The Christmas Song”)… so could I say that the atmosphere is semi-Christmas-y?
Uniqueness?: As unique as any other country Christmas album? To be serious, country Christmas albums aren’t my speciality- all I know is that this album is a compelling and encouraging Christmas album. So is it unique? I guess… but I’m not the best judge.
Christmas message: This album is a holiday album through and through. Kind of like the country version of Michael Buble’s Christmas but superior in every way. Although “There’s A New Kid In Town” and the Christmas version of “Savior’s Shadow” are explicit about Jesus- which is very good for listeners to hear and think about matters of faith and whether Jesus was who He said He was.
Closing thoughts: Some would say that because of the ‘secular’ nature of the album that it wouldn’t be good to listen to at Christmas time when we are celebrating Jesus’ birth. However I reckon that this album deserves at least listening, for “Savior’s Shadow” and “There’s A New Kid In Town” alone! And for the compelling duet with Michael Bublé called “Home”! While Christmas used to be synonymous with Michael Bublé’s Christmas, now I for one can hear a threat posed here. Can Blake invade the holiday season and compete with Michael on his own merit! Yep, of course he can!
3 songs to listen to: Savior’s Shadow, Home, There’s A New Kid In Town
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Yes/no; why/why not?: I would say buy the album even if you’re not a country music fan! If you find it in the store, grab it. Blake has never sounded better, and no doubt you will be in the Christmas spirit at the end of the first track- even if you listen to the album in the July, August or September!