Hanson - Finally It's Christmas (2017)

In contrast with the sentimentality of many Christmas releases, Hanson bring an organic rock 'n' roll energy to the album, featuring iconic favorites like Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas", Stevie Wonder's "Someday At Christmas" and Aretha Franklin's "Winter Wonderland", along with a re-imagined arrangement of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time" and lively renditions of modern classics like Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas". The album's original songs, like the title track and "'Til New Years Night" burst with celebratory energy, layered vocal arrangements calling to mind the Beach Boys and British invasion-era guitar riffs, while "Peace On Earth" highlights the band's earnest lyrics and powerful melodies. The album is not without sentimentality, entirely, closing out with an intimate rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", with guitarist Isaac singing lead on the Judy Garland classic, and a soulful gospel medley of two well-known songs from the Christmas Hymnal, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Joy To The World".