Sing Like No One’s Watching: Holiday CDs

American Idol David Archuleta released his first holiday album this year called Christmas From the Heart. Audiences all over the country fell in love with his surprisingly mature and sultry voice, and awkward but cute personality in 2007. You can’t help but be mesmerized by the beautiful melodies and song arrangements. This album truly embraces what Archuleta represents—a full-hearted family image. One of the best cuts on the album is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” which he collaborated on with his mom! However, the rest of the songs, while vocally superior to many other renditions, fail to make a lasting impact and serve better as background music to a party than spotlight Christmas carols. Overall, Archuleta succeeded in creating a well-done holiday soundtrack.

A Very Special Christmas, Volume 7 – Various Artists

For the first time since 2003, the A Very Special Christmas project released its latest collaboration of holiday hits. The proceeds of this charity album benefit the Special Olympics. According to USA Today, the franchise has raised over $100 million for the program’s athletes since 1987.

Creators of this latest album decided to focus on selling to a younger audience so many artists from this collection are from an eclectic but more mainstream background in music. Artists include country stars Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, the Carter Twins and Gloriana; pop stars include Colbie Calliat, Sean Kingston and Charice; and Disney stars include Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Mitchell Musso. Each song presents itself with a new and interesting rendition of the classic holiday songs that differentiates with each artist.

What are the best cuts? Colbie Caillat’s soothing version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” puts you in the mood to cuddle up by the fireplace, and Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” is upbeat with a nice country twang.

But creators focused on sales when picking artists like Miley Cyrus in “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Ashley Tisdale in “Last Christmas,” who struggle to come up with decent vocals.

So if you’re looking for some new versions of Christmas songs from your favorite artist and want to support an amazing organization, pick up your copy of A Very Special Christmas: Vol. 7 now!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Lost Christmas Eve

  Think you don’t like Christmas music? Think again, because the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is like nothing you’ve ever heard before. This progressive rock band, founded by the big shot composer Paul O’Neill, takes Christmas music from the mellow clichés we have all grown to love to an innovative rock opera worthy of stunning lights and booming pyrotechnics. 23 tracks of classic Christmas songs revamped coupled with the band’s fantastic original music make up The Lost Christmas Eve, the final piece to the band’s epic Christmas-themed trilogy.

Centered around a Christian message, the album follows the story of an angel who is sent to earth on a mission find the person that has best continued Jesus’s work. The album takes off with a symphonic wonder, “Faith Noel,” beginning with a dazzling introduction to “The First Noel,” and easing into a dramatic rendition of “God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen.” The album continues to wow listeners with the power ballads “The Lost Christmas Eve” and “Christmas Dreams.” 

The greatest surprise on the album comes in the form of the sensational “What Child is This.” The transformation is brilliant and unexpected for first time listeners, especially when it climbs into an escalated reflection of a life gone to waste. For those who enjoy a good acoustic tune, the TSO supplies quality acoustic guitar in the genuinely warm “Christmas Jazz” and the enlightening closing track “Midnight Clear.”  The Lost Christmas Eve is truly ear candy for rock lovers. It just so happens that it’s also Christmas music.

For those who enjoy a more modern sound but feel bad leaving traditional Christmas music behind, Relient K offers a glorious combination of the two. Their hit album, Let it Snow Baby…Let it Reindeer, is the perfect compilation of Christmas cheer and good music. It’s fun and diverse, yet obviously a holiday album. The tracks range from heartrending ballads to blissful ballads to upbeat punk rock songs stylistically similar to Blink-182, all while maintaining a distinctly Christmas quality.

Relient K – Let it Snow Baby…Let it Reindeer

From the cheerful “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to the religious and somewhat emotional “I Celebrate the Day,” Relient K captures all the best qualities of Christmas in a variety of styles, all of which are accompanied by the superb skills of frontman Matt Thiessen, who wows listeners with both his smooth vocals and his flawless piano playing.

Fortunately, though the album only contains a handful of original music, the covers of the classics are amped up by explosive guitars and impressive harmonies. You’ll recognize the songs, but you’ve never heard them done like this before. After hearing Christmas rock at its best, don’t be surprised to find yourself rocking out to “Angels we Have Heard on High” and “Deck the Halls.” Relient K even includes a couple original, more pessimistic tunes like “I Hate Christmas Parties” and “In Like a Lion.” While not full of ideal Christmas cheer, these more somber tunes might be just what’s needed in the midst of Christmas chaos. With something for everyone, Relient K’s cleverly titled Christmas album is not something you want to miss.

Now that you know the latest and greatest Christmas music, go get yourself in the holiday spirit!

Fall Trend Report: There’s No E.N.D. to These Incoming Trends

Prepare to step out of your comfort box and go on a shopping rampage. This fall will go down in trend history. Designers have created a brilliant, exciting collection of must-haves for this autumn. Apple has worked endlessly to perfect the most convenient MP3 player. Musical artists have strived to create unique and catchy songs. They have all assisted in transforming this year from “just another fall” into unforgettable.  From electronics to fashion, 2009 is exploding with edgy, fun styles sure to be enjoyed by all.

Fashion

Fashion, something many girls hold close to their hearts, showcased some great styles during New York Fashion Week. The top fashion trend this year? Plaid. Motorcycle jackets, dresses, and flannel have all been hit with the plaid plague. A clothing item with plaid print is a necessity for this year’s look. Pres girls are of course already way ahead of the fashion world with this trend. Finally the Presentation blue plaid skirt is in. Girls can stand proud in their skirts off campus knowing they are stylish and trendy. Other major trends include the boyfriend jean, zippers, boots, and bright, neon colors. Shoe stores, such as DSW, have dedicated at least eight rows for boots alone. Designers found unusual ways to incorporate zippers on flats, purses, and pants. Boyfriend jeans appear on legs of women throughout America and are sold at most retail stores. The famous Michael Kors had his models strutting a neon pink and neon green dress down the runway. So hit the mall as soon as possible and pick up clothing items of these fierce fashion trends that fit will your style.

Music

Many musical geniuses produced top hits this year, but the genre that really took off was pop. According to iTunes’s statistics, “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus is the number one most popular song of this fall. This hit single soared to the top of the charts within its first week of release. The second most popular song is “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. It is not uncommon to hear people chanting this catchy tune. Its feel-good vibe attracts many teens to want to listen to it. Third on the charts is “Down” by Jay Sean. This song received 4 ½ out of 5 stars from iTunes listeners. “Down” has an optimistic, loving beat instantly attracting teens. It also helps that the infamous Lil’ Wayne is featured in the song with his 30 second rap segment. Other top pop songs include “She Wolf” by Shakira, “Whatcha Say” by Jason DeRulo, and “Fallin’ for You” by Colbie Caillat.

Technology

In order to listen to music, having the essential MP3 player is crucial. Apple’s new iTouch second generation not only allows you to listen to your music without headphones, but includes internet, games, calendars, and even texting.  This all-in-one device is the trendiest and most efficient way to hear your music while communicating with your friends. You can even access the Presentation Voice website and keep up to date with school and other events. The website includes pictures, articles, and even fun quizzes. Check out more at www.presentationvoice.com.

If you’re looking for an adventurous, futuristic movie to see, keep your eye out for the upcoming film Avatar. Written by James Cameron, this 3D action packed movie will be unlike any other you have seen. According to Screen Rant, all actors are filmed special bodysuits and head rigs with a standard definition camera that is constantly snapping photos of the actors’ face. The image is then transmitted to another camera that is able to see the actors in their “CG” costumes. “The way we developed the performance capture workflow on ‘Avatar’ is we have our virtual camera, which allows me to, in real time, hold a camera — it’s really a monitor — in my hands and point it at the actors and see them as their CG characters” Cameron says. This movie should be coming to theaters in the summer of 2010.

This fall will surely be an explosion of exciting new things. Keep your eyes out for these trends to stay up to date with all the latest fads. Remember, originality is the new pink! So what are you waiting for? Go out, buy, and stay in style!