Music review: Chris Isaak – 鈥楨verybody Knows It鈥檚 Christmas鈥�
When previewing the latest holiday releases, I鈥檓 like a kid opening presents on Christmas morning.
Several new Christmas albums are added to my substantial holiday music catalog every year. Setting the tone for this holiday season is a charming offering from Chris Isaak.
鈥淓verybody Knows It鈥檚 Christmas鈥� provides the perfect way to ease into the season with a delightful combination of a few holiday standards supporting eight original arrangements.
While Isaak does a fine job delivering a rockabilly vibe on classics like 鈥淲inter Wonderland,鈥� 鈥淛ingle Bell Rock,鈥� 鈥淩un Rudolph Run鈥� and 鈥淩ockin鈥� Around the Christmas Tree,鈥� it鈥檚 on the new tracks where the California native truly shines.
Isaak captures the mood of most men when it comes to the anxiety of last-minute gift buying on 鈥淎lmost Christmas鈥� by declaring, 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost Christmas/And I鈥檓 the last one in the store/It鈥檚 almost Christmas/I can鈥檛 do this anymore.鈥�
Every pet owner can relate to the sentiments offered on 鈥淒ogs Love Christmas Too.鈥� Dogs might not go shopping or hang stockings, but they definitely love tearing into a wrapped gift containing a scrumptious treat to enjoy on Christmas morning.
鈥淗elp Me Baby Jesus鈥� follows the frantic search for a stolen nativity scene from a front lawn that ultimately results in providing peace, love and understanding to those in the neighborhood by revealing the true meaning of the holiday.
While the title track demonstrates the warm and cozy familiarities of Christmas such as snow, cookies, stockings by the fireplace, shiny tinsel on the tree and thoughtful gifts, Isaak is sure to point out that not everyone is always jolly on 鈥淐hristmas Comes but Once a Year,鈥� 鈥淗oliday Blues鈥� and 鈥淲rapping Presents for Myself.鈥�
鈥淚 Believe in Santa Claus鈥� is directed to kids of all ages by conveying that special time on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa鈥檚 sleigh to magically appear on the rooftop with goodies to make us all feel young at heart.
The set comes to a stirring close with a cover of 鈥淥 Holy Night.鈥� Isaak鈥檚 distinctive voice provides added emotion to the lyrics describing the thrill of hope that is revealed through the birth of Christ as a weary world rejoices.
As we prepare for the most wonderful time of the year, remember to elevate your holiday moments with music that allows the spirit of Christmas to fill your heart and remind you of the true reason for the season.