Courtesy of albumjams.com
19 December 2012
By Joann Lee, Staff Writer
Pop singer Colbie Caillat decided to battle this year’s December chill with her new album, Christmas in the Sand. With summery guitar plucking and West Coast warmth, Colbie Caillat points out the beauty of a 90-degree Christmas. Pairing her glowing voice with classic Christmas songs such as “Santa Baby” and “Jingle Bells,” Colbie Caillat gives Christmas that summer beach bonfire atmosphere.
Caillat has maintained a steady style of music ever since her first breakout song “Bubbly.” Continuing her signature beach-girl flair, she croons out 12 songs in Christmas in the Sand. Caillat also features artists Brad Paisley, Gavin Degraw, Jason Reeves and Justin Young in various songs. The collection of songs is the common Christmas bunch, spun in different directions with unique instrumentation and tempo. Caillat’s cover of “Merry Christmas Baby” is particularly unconventional with the added country twang of Brad Paisley’s vocals instead of the usual R&B style the song necessitates. I appreciate Caillat’s relaxed and easy-going songs, but she seems to have picked the wrong tempos for her Christmas album. Songs like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” are too rushed, lively and uncomfortably energetic, whereas “Auld Lang Syne” drags its feet, and seems suddenly bittersweet in the midst of a cheery album. A lot of the songs are forgettable, with unexceptional vocals and less-than-catchy beats. The only song that is a real hook is the titular “Christmas in the Sand.” One of the few originals included in the album, “Christmas in the Sand” is upbeat with ukulele strums and catchy drum beats. Sly lyrics laughing about seeing Santa Claus surfing in the waves rock to the swinging beat, making it one of the most memorable songs in the album–which doesn’t say much.
When celebrities release Christmas albums, there will always be more covers of Christmas carols than original songs. This is true for Colbie Caillat as well. But as covers go, it was definitely a miss. The covers make Caillat’s voice seem ordinary and forgettable, creating a mediocre listening experience. Caillat’s Christmas album probably would have been much better if she had taken a more avant-garde approach and included more original songs rather than just regurgitated, tired Christmas carols.
The album isn’t a terrible one. It’s perfect for listening to absent-mindedly as you decorate your Christmas tree, or as you rip open your presents in pajamas. But it’s not an album you’ll be playing repeatedly during the winter break. If you are a die-hard Colbie Caillat fan, just buy the single “Christmas in the Sand” instead of the whole album.
5/10