Bands of Brothers and Christmas Spirit

As reticent as I was to even listen to the record, much less review, due to the fact that its sibling is a staple on the seasonal rotation, I thought Let it Snow, and they have, so I should just let it be, and I cannot prevent the flurry of releases, so I might as well let it go. I find it really cool that after their reboot they record a second Christmas record, almost following what they did at the beginning of their career. Their self-titled debut is often ignored, but after their breakthrough they released their  contemporary Christmas classic This Christmas. Their first foray into the genre was not completely original, but they did record a few unique reinterpretations of some classics, I would have to say "The Little Drummer Boy" being my favorite, and their Latin-lite "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" following close by. "Christmas Wish" reigning top for favorite original tune, and "If Every Day Could be Christmas," has the potential for fostering a wonderful world, the song is a close second in favorites. The whole album is delightful, and what can be said for this new entry?
The album follows a similar formula, except there are more covers and more songs, making the ratio of originals to established classics 1:13. While they do play it safe on this record, I understand that some of these songs have been recorded numerous times to the point where finding a different angle is complicated, so there aren't many versions akin to fresh fallen flakes. The group doesn't leave you in the cold either, they bring some fun and warm your heart with their own versions, just nothing that sounds like Christmas magic. Rachel Yamagata's version of "River" has remained my favorite amidst newer recordings, and I cannot exactly pinpoint why, but their version maneuvers adeptly around my frozen stance on the best cover. "O Little Town of Bethlehem" may serve as an example of how the night changes the scenery's appearance, but otherwise remains the same. While it is plausible for someone to think blasphemy where people find things to be offended by, I find it a nice addition with no ill intent and heart in the right place; this song approaches the level that some of my fondest holiday memories are on, so take that as a compliment.
Hanson Finally, It's Christmas
While I never found myself Snowed In with the band of brothers in my earlier years, or even in my speakers or headphones during the holidays, I found the album to sound as good as some holiday records released the last few years. I may not have had any ties to their original Christmas record, but nostalgia was present regardless. While the fanfare for the holiday fan, may not reach the same level of excitement that is aroused when it returns, it comes close with a joyous ode to that tension. A reworking of McCartney's dividing bell, when it came to the fans, not only saw an alteration of the title, but the production, and a focus on the percussion, which seemed to integrate a latin rhythm and then they rolled out an earworm of a chorus. You won't have to wait "Til New Year's Night" to hear my thoughts on this original tune; it is a softer silver bullet, but one that rocks all the same. While "Joy To The Mountain" is a medley, they add their own personal stamp, or should I say handclap? Just enough to differentiate and pay tribute without offending. While re-gifting is common when it comes to Christmas albums, they manage to wrap the canon with enough of their own style to give us reason to consider their version for rotation. They also offer us "Peace on Earth," which is a noble dream, an it ends up being a nice song too.

Lindsey Stirling "Warmer in the Winter"

Warm hearts are magnetized and grow to prominence around the holidays, and if the accuracy of the song that Berlin composed never faltered, then it truly would be Warmer in the Winter. 
Violin can add class to any occasion, and it does here, working most effectively on canon classics as "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "What Child is This" to name a few.
When it comes to Christmas records, I always scan to check the track list for songs I don't recognize, and, understandably so, it becomes more difficult to find some. While I do enjoy those songs that have been heard before, its always nice to hear an entirely new composition or rarely reinterpreted renditions.
The holidays are also for reuniting with old friends or even acquaintances, and both Becky G and Alex Garskarth offer their vocal talents to some upbeat originals "Christmas C'mon" and "Time To Fall in Love." The title track and collaboration with Trombone Shorty may lighten your heart with its composition and lyrical approach.
While my heart did not grow several sizes after hearing this version, or eyes light up as much as they did with Jordan Smith's version, I did enjoy this ode to one of Suess'  icons of holiday infamy, and appreciated the vocals of Sabrina Carpenter.
Just because you have heard some of these tracks does not mean you will not find a surprise, either at the forefront or the end, in certain selections, and I would say Stirling would make Carey proud, by keeping the energy and mirth nearly parallel with her rendition of "All I Want For Christmas is You."