Brett Eldredge "Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)"

 Meeting the family is a major milestone in a relationship and should not be taken lightly. Which is interesting because Brett Eledredge wastes no time with his introduction. Whether it is your first time, 300th time, or somewhere between or beyond, Eldredge welcomes you to his family with a song that effectively takes you to that holiday celebration. 

He then convinces you "It Must Be Christmas" with a sing-along full of imagery concerning family traditions, visual datemarks, and chosen family reunions. Speaking of reunions, Ms. Clarkson returns the favor by hopping on Eldredge's holiday tune, without an adventure underneath the mistletoe, but I am not talking about a kiss; although that is what a "Sweet December" could lead to.

The aforementioned duet sounded like the two were a little too "Warm and Cozy" when singing together, almost like they were singing alongside the love of their lives.  The song itself lives up to its name and can have the same effect that comfort food can have on the soul, except not as potent as the rest Jesus can bring your soul; I could not type the word "soul" without mentioning the only one who could save yours.

Now jumping from the reason for the season to an icon of the season. Brett already had a prior initiation riding on the big man's sleigh before, but "The Night St. Nick Got Sick" was Brett's turn to Tim Allen a Christmas Eve, solo. Others could say the initiation was more of an accident, but I digress. I have heard songs about a similar scenario over the last few years, but this might be the most boppin' of the three on memory sea.

"Season of Lights and Wonder" is sung in a style that arouses nostalgia and resembles a lullaby, but for the first action I cannot remember why. It may take you back; it may calm your nerves; it may even put things in perspective, but that is what this season does, or it can, if you pay attention and look outside your list, your life, and yourself.

"Who Will You Be Kissing on New Year's Eve?" is question I cannot answer without saying "no one," and I am fine with that. Nor is it a song I can describe without declaring "it is a vibe." It has this dreamlike quality that lures you in with those calming notes and bells at the outset of the song. I can visualize their duet in black and white. I love how their voices complement each other, and while I enjoyed his previous collaborator in Kelly Clarkson and their second holi-duet, this sounds more appealing to me.

It is great because Idarose, Alexis Idarose Kesselman, has her time to shine on this record (vocally), and she has a sultry voice that really complements Brett's. She wrote several songs on this record that happened to be some of my favorites, aside from this one; and displays some range in style. The funny thing is, she also wrote the song where Kelly Clarkson sings with Brett, but I still think Ms. Clarkson is better suited for that tune than Kesselman.

A lot can be said about the finale that has already been said about its earlier twin, but he brings that notion home and takes you to their family party if you're willing to suspend disbelief. Others can say Eldredge fabricates a false sense of familiarity with the listener in the album's bookends, which is true. But he does it with good intention, which makes the effort more endearing, doesn't it?

The Point This Post Reclaimed (Bublé n' Eldredge)

 I never expected to make three posts about one album, but this is here to make a point from the first post that lost itself to a more artistic ending.

Now, Buble had some original holiday bangers throughout his career, and crooned through some canonical staples, and so did Eldredge. But do the latter's original songs stack up to Buble's originals?  I think Eldredge proved he can release a whole record of originals with his latest, but I don't think Buble could do that. 

There are songs that Buble was featured on, but was not the main artist, so I question whether to include those. If you haven't heard "Elf's Lament" by the Barenaked Ladies, change that as soon as you can. However, the duet with Dolly Parton is weird, unless you imagine that the lyrics they are singing are to their significant others instead of each other, then it's not as bad. 

 The sole original on his only Christmas album, is still a favorite to listen to whether it's on a "Cold December Night" or warmer July evening. "Warm and Cozy" by Brett Eldredge may suit you just fine if you don't have a blanket, and depending on where you are you may not even need it.

Bublé really brought the joy on "The More You Give (The More You Have)," and while the story is different, you can listen to Brett's "The Night St. Nick Got Sick."

I think one of Bublé's least popular originals in this genre is "The Christmas Sweater," but it is a fun song to listen to, and sounds like what an ugly Christmas sweater could if it were a song, but better, because a lot of Christmas sweaters are not truly ugly, they are obscure, they are unique, they are intriguing, and they are offensive. Many might say, this is true of this song, especially the offensive part. 

Brett's tone parallel to Buble's would have to be "Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)" or its counterpart and bookend friend "Welcome to the Family (Reprise)."

There was one prospective tearjerker that Mr. Eldredge couldn't match, and that was Buble's most recent duet with Carly Pearce, "Maybe This Christmas." It's hard to be away from family on the holidays, especially when that may be the only time you see them. He's touched on this before, and the one that immediately comes to mind is "Home," which even was turned into a holi-duet with Blake Shelton for his Christmas album.

This song may not have matched it in the same way, but "Season of Lights and Wonder" by Eldredge does tap into a different emotional vein. 

I like both artists for what they create and who they are, I was not trying to create a competition between the two, just a blatant comparison. They both have released some quality evergreen and seasonal records over the years and would not mind hearing more. So, if the finale left you feeling underwhelmed and sore. Well, to some, happy endings are a bore.

The Nonexistent Battle Between Mr. Bublé and Mr. Christmas

 With 37.5% of his catalog being Christmas music, and three records to Mr. Bublé's one, we can say he is gunning for the title of "Mr. Christmas." As if that were not enough to use that as his (album) title from years past, he recently released a third record with a presence that should last. I know I cannot be the only person that prefers hearing new Christmas music over being regifted a dead horse, but people do like their reboots and games of horseshoes.

It can be said that Mr. Bublé is the contemporary Christmas crooner of choice, or one of the most popular by far, and that would not be wrong. His Christmas album is an "evergreen," just as good now as it was when it was uprooted from the shelf. He hasn't found need to release another but thankfully has managed to release a new yuletide jam at least once every several years, and even better that they are not mere covers. Some may scoff at his last solo newltide tune, "The Christmas Sweater," but it had a distinctive audio design that appealed to me, and not just me, right?

So, with this imaginary competition and its titleholder in possible peril, why was this brought up? If it takes Eldredge three records to beat Bublé at a game that he doesn't take as seriously anymore, is he worthy?

"If Bublé doesn't care about the title, then Mr. Eldredge can keep it, right? He should. They can coexist" a commentator declared. 

"Wait, isn't there already a 'Mister Christmas' that exists?" another question aired. 

"Yeah, there was a British electrician that was said to celebrate Christmas every day since 1993 by the real name of Andy Park, so I have heard" a Christmas pundit (to themselves) replied.

 "I believe there was a competition held by Hallmark to win the title of 'Mr. Christmas' and then star in one of their horrid holiday movies" another remarked. 

"Sounds like something they would do. However, I wouldn't call their movies 'horrid,' just bland and/or boring"

"Formulaic"

Soon a sea of criticism filled the soundscape and it became hard to distinguish and differentiate between opinions and voices.  "No, they are not all bad." I heard that comment and agree, just most of the movies.  

Mac Powell "Christmas"

 It's that time of year again where almost everyone is making their lists and checking them twice, or thrice, four times even. The first two songs list things that may make it easier to "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas," whether it's the numerous nostalgia inducers mentioned in "Christmas Time Again My Friend," or the blessings some may pray on Christmas for, while others take advantage of.  While it has been long debated whether "Jesus Christ is Born" on December 25th or not, the true reason for the season has not changed, and the latter and the last song give honor where it is due. 

It is a short, sweet, and consistent set of songs given to the world to share the story of the light of the world, but not until after they introduce a song that includes holiday associations the world will be familiar with, or a Christmas Canon classic.