(andPOP) - There is little to get excited about when it comes to The American Idol Christmas CD, "The Great Holiday Classics."
Canadian Idol Ryan Malcolm's rendition of "Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow" is lacklustre, but it's not his voice that kills this song, it's the production. The music fails Malcolm and does not cater to his voice. It sounds like he is just singing to a karaoke track and he does not have much flexibility.
It takes Clay Aiken almost two and a half minutes to really get into "The First Noel" and take it above that wretched karaoke-sounding song, but once he belts out "His blood mankind hath bought," he has this song sold.
Tamyra Gray from the first season and Ruben Studdard, the winner of the second season, sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Those two arguably have the best voices out of all the participants, yet they fail to enliven the song. Gray's random improvisational notes and Studdard's failure to let loose unsuccessfully make this song as memorable as it could and probably should have been. Separately they could not have done better with "This Christmas" by Studdard and "Silent Night" by Gray, but together, there's just not enough chemistry.
The duo could learn a few things from Christina Aguilera and Brian McKnight, who performed the song two years ago on Aguilera's televised Christmas special. Their voices blended together so well, they should have released it commercially.
They could also learn something from Aiken and Kimberly Locke, who sing "Silver Bells" as if they have been singing together for years.
Kelly Clarkson is by far the standout on the album with "Oh Holy Night," backed only by a choir, and the David Foster-penned "My Grown Up Christmas List." She gives them the same amount of passion as she does for her own album.
Lacking anything related to passion is the forgotten Idol contestant named Christina Christian, who is incredibly boring on "Winter Wonderland." The song should not have been included.
2*
RCA/BMG
Track Listing:
Let it Snow Let it Snow Let is Snow - Ryan Malcolm
The First Noel - Clay Aiken
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ruben Studdard and Tamyra Gray
O Come, All Ye Faithful - Ensemble
Silent Night- Tamyra Gray
Silver Bells - Clay Aiken and Kimberly Locke
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Ensemble
The Christmas Song - Kimberly Locke
I'll Be Home for Christmas - Justin Guarini
Winter Wonderland - Christina Christian
This Christmas - Ruben Studdard
Bonus Disc
Oh Holy Night- Kelly Clarkson
My Grown Up Christmas - Kelly Clarkson
