[.ca] This Christmas Time

What An ADORABLE Album Cover!!:
Yo my Christmas dawgs of the gutterz of the North Pole, how ya'll be?? The main reason I picked this album up is because I love the adorbale album cover of the four handsome young men on the front, they seem to really, really enjoy eachother's company a lot!! Its as if the picture was taken of them lying side by side on a king size bed!! Their hair is well groomed and their teeth so white. Basically I just stared at the album cover for hours on end after I bought it, its just dat cute peeps!! It wasn't until about 28 days later I actually played the disc and discovered it was a Christamas CD, and musically I guess its ok if ya like cute Christmas jingles and all, but I did get weird looks when I played it at my neighbor's July 4th bash this past summer!! The only album that has a cuter cover of four men is probably Smash Motuh's self titled album. I had to take away some stars though cuz the song "What Child Is This" wood better be done by Michael Jackson, for obvious reasons!! Peace out holiday shopperz....

Radiates with Warmth:
Lonestar's Christmas set has a selection of well-known tunes done in country/pop style. While most are quite familiar, they are well done. "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" rocks out. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" gives a sentimental tug on the heartstrings. "If Every Day Could Be Christmas" is a sweet slick pop track. Lonestar's version of "Little Drummer Boy" shines with great percussion and the lads' lovely harmonies with a tinge of Celtic flavor. "Reason for the Season" is a Lonestar original and the crown jewel of the set, "He is the light that shines on our lives, baby Jesus born in God's grace so we all might rejoice on this day." "What Child Is This" is a gorgeous melody done with a traditional touch. "Winter Wonderland" bobs as a joyful pop excursion. The set concludes with the title track that I think is also an original by the band. "This Christmas Time" is a good holiday set that will be a wonderful soundtrack addition for a family holiday Christmas. Enjoy!

It's Lonestar, and it's lovely:
Hey, the boys at Lonestar have a great thing going, and when they hit the already-written songs of Christmas, you can't go wrong. I got this album recently when I stumbled across it in my brother's laptop case. I had to pay for it, but I don't care, it was worth it. For the non-country fans: I think you'd still enjoy this album. Lonestar has carved out a unique, distinctive niche for itself, and has enjoyed several top ten hits in the world of country music. Yes, you'll still find the country flavor sprinkled through out the tracks of this CD, but there is enough reverence and respect for the Christmas songs to give them a great sound. For country music fans, and the rest: Ritchie McDonald's mellow voice with the other boys backing him up makes this CD very much worth it if you like Lonestar. Some might complain that McDonald's voice is just the least little bit whiny, but I like it. He sings with a passion, and respect for the season, and the One for whom we celebrate it. The songs are the perfect balance of upbeat happiness, and the more silent moments that make up the Christmas season. Track 1 (4:11): Starts slow, but distinctively country. It warms up to the peppy, upbeat rendition of the classic warning to youngsters to be on their best behavior. Track 2 (2:44): Kind of a blues song, but it's not very quiet. Not exactly my favorite. Track 3 (4:23) Slower, quieter version of this song - nothing particularly noteworthy or special about this track, it's rather traditional. Track 4 (4:34): Not a BAD song . . . slow and everything, but still a little to blues-ish for my tastes. Track 5 (4:36): Done very traditionally, I'd say, though the opening is a little different sounding. Track 6 (4:53): My favorite Christmas carol, and while it's been done better than this before, it's Lonestar you bought, and it's Lonestar you hear. That to say it's not the best I've heard, but it's still pretty good. Track 7 (4:02): Personal favorite of the album. It's a song of wonder and praise for the One for Whom we have a "reason for the season". Awesome song. Track 8 (3:14): Like most of the tracks, it's traditionally done, but in Lonestar fashion. Track 9 (3:19): Just for fun, the sleigh ride tune is very lively and enjoyable. I hear it often on my local radio station. Track 10 (4:07): Once again, traditional, with a Lonestar twang. Slow and nice. Track 11 (3:52): It's not exactly a wonderful climaxing track for the album, but it's still a very nice tune. Lonestar's general niche, pared down from the general Country category, is love songs, and that's sort of what this is. While it appears to be all about family, it sounds to me as if the song is singing to one person, presumably a spouse. If you, like me, enjoy Lonestar, then you will want to add this album to your collection for the Christmas season.

I waited 3 years to review this album...:
I could say it's because I wanted to get things right, but that would be a lie. I could say that it's because I don't make a habit out of reviewing Christmas CD's, and that would be closer to the truth (I've only reviewed 2 others). Well, I review the CD's I like, folks...and I loved this one. Christmas means three things to me: family, fun, and that Dude on the Cross's B-Day. Now, you may not be overly religious (I'm not) but you have to admit that nothing warms your heart like a good ol' Christmas song... This album covers all the territories. There's the bluesy "PLease Come Home For Christmas", plus the almost-too-perfect ballads "Have YourSelf a Merry Little Christmas", "What Child Is This," and "The Christmas Song". Listenable...but not the highlights. "If Every Day Could Be Christmas" reviews the joys of the holiday in a heart-warming manner; "Reason For The Season" (co-written by frontman Richie McDonald) is a bit tacky with the title, but is a good song to listen to to get you into the spirit of Christmas. "This Christmas Time" (co-written by keyboardist Dean Sams) looks at Christmas through the eyes of a young lover. Those're the newbies. "Santa Clause Is Comin' To Town" is a good rocker; typical Lonestar upbeat fare (and that ain't bad!). "Winter Wonderland" is the fun-loving song it was meant to be. "Little Drummer Boy" has been kicked up a notch, one of the album's best: maybe a bit "pop" or "rock" for some people...but it's just one song out of eleven. You can live with it, if that ain't your cup of eggnog. I missed one, didn't I? Yes. I meant to, too. Becuase "O Holy Night" is the best song on the album--and one of the best holiday tunes I've heard. Richie McDonald outdoes himself. How come most artists who record this (and I'm thinking John Berry here) seem to give their best performances of their careers? I don't know, but on this album, "O Holy Night" is a gripping, "power"-ballad that'll drive you to your knees...and get you singing along, if you can do so in-tune. So...Christmas with Lonestar. Doesn't sound too bad, does it? These four guys (one of the best vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist/drummer combinations currently on the charts) know what Christmas is about...and they deliver it to you, with just a minimum charge. Now, it's not stripped down, and it doesn't sound overly traditional. Still, if this CD doesn't get you into the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will.

• Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
• Please Come Home For Christmas
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• If Every Day Could Be Christmas
• Little Drummer Boy
• O Holy Night
• Reason for the Season
• What Child Is This?
• Winter Wonderland
• Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
• This Christmas Time