As the holiday season quickly approaches, I like to get into the Christmas spirit by listening to great holiday music and watching the Christmas classics.
Those great animated films such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman” are perfect to bring about the cheerfulness that represents the season.  What better time of year to listen to tracks such as “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” than December?
Unfortunately, the season is not all holiday cheer and games. The one thing about this season that should be frowned upon is the belief that anyone and everyone can and should go around singing Christmas carols, and this is what leads into today’s discussion. That’s right, I’m talking to you, Justin Bieber.
It came to my attention while searching for some seasonal music to gain inspiration for this very column that Bieber now has a Christmas album. While I do not like him, there are many popular artists that fall much lower on the talent scale than he does. At the same time, auto tuning holiday classics is and will always be a tragedy.
Overall, Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe” Christmas album is not well put together. The first two songs are slightly bearable (“Only thing I ever Get for Christmas” and “Mistletoe”) but after these, each track surpasses the next with their lack of, well, just their lack of. Bieber’s voice can be slightly monotone. His music in general would benefit from a change in vocal style, and by this, I mean something other than his use of wannabe R&B vocal runs.
This CD goes on and on in one large pile of rolled notes. “The Little Drummer Boy” is purely awful and there is no other way to put it, and regrettably, I fear that “Silent Night” will never be the same after what it underwent for this album.
The turning point for this album was the development of his music video set to the classic animation of “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” and I just say no. How could you go so far as to animate yourself into such a classic film? Stick with your own music as a pastime before holiday music blows up among 14-year-old Beliebers.
So Mr. Musical Haircut, next year try karaoke and leave the classics to the Christmas professionals. I’m sure Elvis and Nat King Cole would be thoroughly disappointed, and with that, I give the album 1.25 stars out of 5.