Christmas comes early this year with Michael Buble’s eponymous album, “Christmas.” However, this is no tacky add-on to his stylish discography of jazz standards and pop hits (I’m looking at you, She & Him). Turns out “The Office’s” Michael Scott didn’t need to pay for an upright bass player to perform at his “Classy Christmas Party” in Season 7. Instead he should have just waited for Buble to compile this fresh collection of Christmas favorites that have gotten all jazzed out for a 16-track affair.
Instead of writing a full out review, let me just ask you a few questions:
#1: Do you enjoy Christmas music (at least during the appropriate time of year?)
#2: Do you like jazz singers?
#3: Do you like Michael Buble?
#4: Do you like things that are classy?
If you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, then Buble’s Christmas album is the perfect early present for you. As usual with a Buble record, “Christmas” contains top notch production values, sounding clean and slick the whole way through. And unlike most Christmas albums that drop, here we have the rare occasion where the songs feel like they’ve been arranged, recorded, mixed, and mastered over a generous amount of time; not something rushed out for the holidays. The last time a Christmas record got me excited was when Relient K took their stab at it with, “Let It Snow Baby… Let It Reindeer.” Although it has possibly the greatest version of “Sleigh Ride” ever recorded, the inspired renditions of old classics fade quickly before the album makes it even half way through its running time. “Christmas,” however, is solid all the way through. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of all the song choices, for having it on in the background at a party or while you engage in Christmas festivities, you won’t be able to deny its immediate charm and accessibility.
Christmas just got a bit classier this year. Bring home Michael Buble’s jazzy take on our biggest holiday season with “Christmas,” now in stores.
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