Relient K, Let It Snow . . . Let It Reindeer

Surprise! Surprise because I’m not the right audience for Relient K’s Let It Snow Baby . . . Let It Reindeer. I borrowed it from my daughter, and I’ve listened to it several times in the past couple of days. The insert identifies band member Matthew Thiessen as the composer of the songs that aren’t familiar to us.

From the top . . .

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is a great version of the song. Influences of the Beach Boys are heard. Right from the start, I appreciate the talent. I played this song over and over. The performance of “Sleigh Ride” makes me think of Michael Bublé. Compared to Plus One, the performances by these boys are bold and confident. “Silent Night/Away in a Manger” = pretty.

 In general, I like the songs written Thiessen—perhaps more so the sentiments of his songs. “I Hate Christmas Parties” is pretty song about a break-up. “Boxing Day” tells about the end of the Christmas season. “Merry Christmas, Here’s to Many More” is a well written, well thought out, well done song. Like!  “I Celebrate the Day” and “In Like a Lion (Always Winter),” are not as appealing to me, but knowing that “Lion” was inspired by C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe makes it more interesting.

It quite amuses me that I choose to even listen to this “hip” album. The speedy and unusual versions of familiar Christmas songs are no surprise if you have heard other Relient K albums. Yes, I have. Favorites of mine on any of their albums are those that have a more traditional sound. However, since my son first shared Relient K with me six or seven years ago, I have come to appreciate even their “pop punk” or “alternative rock” sound. Their version of “12 Days of Christmas” is befitting for Relient K—with a variety of sounds, including soprano voices, a bit of screaming, and good harmonies.

I am more likely to bring out Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories (so I can hear “Ornament” again) than I would be to listen again to this album, which means it has to rate below TSO’s album. I would choose to download just two favorite tracks from RK’s album: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride.”

9 Bryan Duncan—Christmas Is Jesus
6 Michael W. Smith—Christmas
1 Michael W. Smith—It’s a Wonderful Christmas
4 Trans-Siberian Orchestra—Christmas Eve and Other Stories
7 Mannheim Steamroller—Christmas Live
8 Mannheim Steamroller—Christmas
2 Plus One—Christmas
8 Mannheim Steamroller—Christmas in the Aire
3 Relient K— Let It Snow Baby . . . Let It Reindeer