by Michael P. Coleman, Associate Editor
Kelly Clarkson says that her record label strongly urged her to include a new Christmas classic on her first holiday album, “Wrapped In Red”. She also claims that she told them you couldn’t plan for a new holiday song to catch on with the public, that an artist can only write and record their best material and hope for the best.
While there’s truth to that, an artist can also replicate what’s been done before and hope for the best — which Clarkson did with the album’s lead single, “Wrapped In Red”. The song is receiving the most radio airplay of any new Christmas song since Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” That’s fitting, as the song borrows very heavily from that chestnut, featuring jingle bells, an very infectious hook, and a fiery vocal that would make Mimi proud.
Clarkson channels Carey on a few of the album’s tracks, tearing into “Run Run Rudolph”, and “Please Come Home For Christmas” with Mariah-esque abandon. However, that same fervor doesn’t do justice to other holiday favorites. Clarkson would have done well to rein it in (pun intended) on “My Favorite Things” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (with Ronnie Dunn). The best versions of the latter track feature a female vocal that’s flirted as much as sung, not screamed as if she’s slapping the guy upside the head. Calm down, Kelly. This isn’t… American Idol (sigh).
As well sung as most of the uptempo tracks are, Clarkson really shines on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “White Christmas”, and the gorgeous “Silent Night”, recorded with country superstars Trisha Yearwood and Reba McIntyre. These tracks showcase the broad range and subtle shadings of Clarkson’s remarkable instrument, qualities that aren’t typically showcased in the rock-oriented material she’s recorded so far. Maybe someday soon, Santa will bring us more of THIS Kelly Clarkson on future releases. In the meantime, blast this album from now until New Year’s… and have yourself a merry little Christmas NOW!
Follow Michael P. Coleman on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP
