Sunday, November 10, 2013

Review: Kelly Clarkson - "Wrapped In Red"

It makes too much sense that Kelly Clarkson would release a Christmas album. Her multi-genre appeal works to her advantage on Wrapped In Red, the full length holiday album available now.

While Kelly has released a few Christmas songs, including contributions to an American Idol holiday disc ten years ago, this is her first Christmas album. As usual, her vocals are beautiful on classics like "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" but the production values on the album are stellar. It doesn't feel like a cash-in production, the music breaths and swells with a full orchestra on four tracks and a horn trio on others. That brings us back to Clarkson's love of genre-hopping. Originals like the title track, "Underneath The Tree" and "Every Christmas" nestle perfectly among 60s-era rock'n'roll classics like "Run Run Rudolph" and "Please Come Home For Christmas (Bells Will Be Ringing)" while the big band sounds of tracks like "My Favorite Things" keep things classic. The crown jewel of the collection is the modern pop original "Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)" - clearly Kelly's new husband will serve as muse instead of break-ups and heartbreaks in her future songwriting endeavors.

Wrapped In Red rarely falters, however the Katy Perry-esque "4 Carats" and a duet with country legend Ronnie Dunn on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" show Kelly's only weakness is attempts at overt sexiness. But the album ends with two songs that show her range perfectly. "Just For Now" is stellar Imogen Heap cover that keeps Kelly's sound fresh while her team-up with Reba McIntire and Trisha Yearwood on the traditional carol "Silent Night" gives a glimpse of her roots.

All in all, this is a perfect Christmas party album. I will say, the Target exclusive deluxe edition includes two songs worth having - a smooth jazz take on "I'll Be Home For Christmas" from 2011's iTunes Session EP and an elegantly simple version of my personal favorite ancient carol "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I JUST finished listening to this and have to agree with you. Modern holiday albums typically make me groan because they have no understanding of the spirit of the season and take pop songs and put some chimes in the background. But this felt fully thought out. I do wish Kelly calmed down on "Baby, It's Cold Outside." It's a playful song and she sounded ready to blow the door down with her vocals.

C. Paul Keller said...

I'm so glad you agree, I worried that my Kelly stanning had obscured my judgement! (PS: RuPaul like it, too. We have such good taste!)