The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection – EP
Label: Big Machine Label Group
Release Date: October 14th 2007 (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Last Christmas
- Christmases When You Were Mine
- Santa Baby
- Silent Night
- Christmas Must Be Something More
- White Christmas
Initial thoughts: Released in 2007 while Taylor was still considered ‘country’, this short but punchy EP gives us a taster of what a full length Christmas project from Taylor would sound like. I’m not the most avid fan of Taylor and her music, yet this EP is charming, somewhat innocent and quite child-like, in a fun type of way!
Reason to listen: So that we can hear more of ‘old Taylor’ and reminisce about how great she was in country. And perhaps, this project sounds better when we realise that the ‘old Taylor’ is still around- especially since “Betty” from Folklore is being released to country radio this year. As an EP, this is very bubbly and overly joyous- and as Christmas is meant to be a celebration of Jesus’ birth, I’m all for Taylor’s bouncy and optimistic holiday EP!
Reason to buy: Taylor’s voice is actually quite good in this, and the project flows quite well… but I still wouldn’t buy this EP- unless it was super cheap. Now if this was a full length Christmas album then… maybe?
Reason to skip: If you prefer Taylor’s pop music over her country music. Which… why wouldn’t you love Taylor’s country songs?
No. of carols: 4
No. of originals: 2
No of guest artists: None. With no guest artists we hear more of Taylor’s captivating country voice, which is actually quite enjoyable and strong!
Does it have heart?: There are a few moving songs, especially the two originals “Christmases When You Were Mine” and “Christmas Must Be Something More”. And Taylor delivers the entire EP with the sense of passion and enthusiasm. There is heart here, and that’s great… but there’s just not enough songs!
Does it have a Christmas-y atmosphere?: It sounds like an acoustic country type EP in the most inoffensive way possible- it’s a fine EP but with no Christmas sound. The earnestness and heart make up for the lack of Christmas atmosphere though.
Uniqueness?: As unique as Taylor singing country style songs is… But seriously, this acoustic country themed Christmas project lacks a Christmas sound, but its uniqueness comes in the form of “Silent Night”, which is completely reworked beyond imagination and comprehension. And it’s actually one of my favourite songs on the EP!
Christmas message: There’s only a couple of songs sung about Jesus (“Silent Night” and the original “Christmas Must Be Something More”) but there’s nothing really else that stands out. There’s a message here, but unfortunately the message of comradery, friendship, family and tradition is louder.
Closing thoughts: Taylor has released a solid EP that is worth a few spins on Spotify around Christmas time. It’s enjoyable, but not groundbreaking, and not enough to purchase this EP. If these were rerecorded on her new label, as well as the addition of some new tracks, and that album released as a full length Christmas project… then I’d buy that one!
3 songs to listen to: Christmases When You Were Mine, Silent Night, Christmas Must Be Something More
Overall rating: 4/5
Yes/no; why/why not?: I’d listen to this project until a full length Christmas album releases whenever that may be. And then I’d buy the full length project!