Sounds to get you festive for the holidays. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Sounds to get you festive for the holidays.

Renee's review of new holiday albums to get you ready for the holiday season.

12
Sounds to get you festive for the holidays.

While most of America is getting into the haunted spirit this weekend for Halloween, I am looking ahead to the holiday spirit by getting ahead and reviewing some holiday albums that your family and friends will love. As you sip on your eggnog, or wrap presents, these albums will help you get into the Christmas spirit...

JORDAN SMITH-TIS THE SEASON:

The newly crowned winner from The Voice has not disappointed us from his sweet voice from singing classics like Santa Claus Is Coming To Town with a jazzy/gospel spin to What Child Is This to remind us what the season is really about. His album will make you smile this season as you hustle and bustle. You will be the life of the Christmas party when playing Rocking Around The Christmas Tree. Such a perfect combination of his vocal abilities and a reminder at why he is the reigning champ of The Voice. I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith making the holiday special rounds on TV.

PENTATONIX-A PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS:

Our favorite acapella group is back with their latest holiday album. I found myself nodding my head to the upbeat Up On The Housetop which is a sweet upgrade for 2016. I also enjoyed the happy-grooving Christmas Sing-Along, which put a smile on my face. Their first release, Hallelujah left me in such a grateful mood and yes, I did get misty eyed at how all of their vocals blended together on such a special song. While I enjoyed them covering the *NSYNC classic Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, their vocal talents really shine on the track Coventry Carol. Pentatonix reminds us why we look forward to hearing to their albums all year long, whether it be Christmas or in the summertime.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER-I'LL HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS ALBUM:

Straight No Chaser is my state's best kept secret. This group that was founded on the grounds on my alma mater, Indiana University twenty years ago. They have been featured on PBS for their holiday specials, performed around the world and even had the task of performing Back Home Again In Indiana at the first Indy 500 after Jim Nabors retired in 2014. Fans across the country love them, and you will too after hearing their latest Christmas album, I'll Have Another Christmas Album. From timeless favorites like Do You Hear What I Hear and even Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You, to fun songs like To Christmas! (The Drinking Song) However, my favorite song from the album is Mary, Did You Know? You really get to see the vocal talent from SNC. This album will quickly be a favorite to audiences young and old.

RASCAL FLATTS-THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL:

One plus that I love about holiday albums is the originality to classics. That is exactly what Rascal Flatts did on their new holiday album. This album is simple, calming and original. I enjoyed their version of Deck The Halls, which takes a different spin from previous versions one may hear. One song that got me in the mood is called A Strange Way To Save The World, which describes Mary and Joseph's fear as they welcomed baby Jesus into the world and what they were getting themselves in TO upon King Jesus's birth. I love that there are more Christmas songs that deal with Jesus's birth and not the secular parts of what the holiday brings. While the songs explore a funk, pop sound, the band doesn't stray from their country background.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181894
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8726
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453545
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23932
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments