Justin Bieber is on top of the world. Not an exaggeration at all. You want proof? The 17-year-old (almost 18) is releasing a brand new album in a few months but before that, he wanted to give his fans a little something. Since screaming girls everywhere can’t get enough of the Biebs, he decided to lay it on us something good with his latest holiday album, Under The Mistletoe.
I realize this review is late. Under The Mistletoe was released back on November 1. But in light of Bieber working on his third full-length release, Believe, I thought I’d remind everyone that we’ve got tunes to tide us over. As usual with my reviews I will go track by track with this one. Just to warn new-comers, Bieber’s voice had dropped a few octaves and he probably sounds more mature than the last time you heard him. Brace yourselves.
1. Only Thing I Ever Get For Christmas | 8/10
This is a cute opener to the album. Bieber said a theme throughout would be having a special someone for the holidays and this song definitely speaks to that. The chorus flows nicely and the verses lead well into them. Definitely a go!
2. Mistletoe | 10/10
This is the first track that introduced us to this album. He sang it on stage at a few of his shows in South America and it caught on quickly with his ‘Beliebers.’ It’s got a Caribbean rhythm to it and there’s a line he sings that says, “Chestnuts roastin’ like a hot July.” I wouldn’t be surprised if us Bieber fans were still blasting this one on our way to the water parks this summer!
3. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) [Feat. Usher] | 9/10
Bieber said he was most excited to work with his mentor Usher on this album. And if I’m honest, their voices blend so well it’s not surprising! Bieber opens the song with a melody so sultry it’ll melt your heart upon contact with your ears. Usher adds some spice later, and when they both come in together you’ll fall in love!
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town | 9/10
MJ would be proud! This one is Jackson 5-esqe but with an added touch from Bieber’s own style. The lyrics stay true to the classic but Bieber’s drumming comes in when you least expect it and his voice is surprisingly strong. The instruments have to be heavy because his voice would outdo them all. Add in a “shake it, shake it baby!” rump-shaking verse and the magic is complete. This track starts the best stretch on the album!
5. Fa La La (Feat. Boyz II Men) | 10/10
Bieber said this one might be his favorite on the album and it rivals for mine too. While it’s hard to choose, this is one of the best songs. The beat is, for lack of a better word, amazing. It’s enough to get you moving while not making you whip your hair too hard. Boyz II Men’s melodies will ensnare you from the beginning but especially on the bridge (Baby, you de-serve everything you want, it’s your night / Ohhhh). Justin’s voice is velvety as usual and together they create a masterpiece! By the way, check out the music video to this one. You WILL NOT be disappointed.
6. All I Want For Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!) [Duet with Mariah Carey] | 9.5/10
While Justin was trying to get Mariah on this album, he wasn’t necessarily looking at her major Christmas hit. Perhaps they could create their own sound? But Mariah said she’d been working on a new version and that it’d be perfect for Under The Mistletoe! Well she had the right idea! While she and Justin’s pitches are different (Justin is almost baritone now), they still create a pretty harmony. Justin only has one verse but that’s all he needs; his presence is felt the entire time.
7. Drummer Boy (Feat. Busta Rhymes) | 10/10
This is song proves why it’s hard to pick a favorite. The main thing to be said about this song is the drumming and rapping. While drumming is standard on this song, Bieber takes it to an entirely new level. He’s playing the snare drum, and when I say playing I mean playing. Busta’s verse is the hardest to get down; if you want to try to learn it you’ll need patience. By the way, Bieber himself raps two verses and one is fully about giving to charity. Talk about making a change!
8. Christmas Eve | 10/10
Here is where you might wanna put the kiddies to bed. It’s not vulgar or anything by any means, but Bieber’s voice says enough. It’s the lowest and most sensual most of us have ever heard it. He said himself this song is “sexy and for the ladies.” One mature enough can find double meanings in almost any line but it’s quite romantic at face value. Needless to say (but I’m saying it anyway) this is my favorite song on the album.
9. All I Want Is You | 8.5/10
This one is along the same lines as Only Thing I Ever Get For Christmas. It’s got a beautiful melody while Justin sings of wanting to be a girl’s everything for the holidays. It flows with the theme of the album itself as well. While it isn’t the best because of it’s generic beat, it’s certainly worth a listen!
10. Home This Christmas (Feat. The Band Perry) | 7.5/10
The Band Perry is easily the worst collaboration on the album…which is saying something because they’re all amazing. It’s a great song, but the lead singer from The Band Perry has a strong voice and it overshadows Bieber’s unless they’re singing separate verses. We’re okay with hearing voices like Usher and Mariah Carey over Justin’s, but not Kimberly Perry. Their voices work okay together, but they’re much better separate. Other than that, this one’s got a great melody.
11. Silent Night | 9.5/10
If Beliebers asked Justin for a lullaby, he gave us this one. While singing along it’s almost hard to stay on track because Bieber sings so slowly. But it works; it’s supposed to be a good night-type song. It’s relatively short as well; Bieber only sings two verses. He hits high pitches again and does it with precision. Let Justin sing you to sleep with thing one!
These are the main tracks. On the deluxe edition you get an acapella version of “Fa La La,” “Pray” from My Worlds Acoustic, “Christmas Love” which is another incredible new song and “Someday At Christmas” which he sang when he was younger. “Christmas Love” is reason enough to get the deluxe, but if you wanted another one I’ve got you covered; all of the proceeds from Under The Mistletoe go to the Believe Charity Drive. Like his fragrance, Someday, all of the money the album makes goes to a good cause.
Great music in addition to helping make a change simply gives you no reason not to get this amazing album. You may gain a new respect for the Biebs after hearing what came out of the work he put into it. If this is what he can give us for Christmas, I shudder at what we’re gonna get on Believe. It’ll even blow the minds of 25-year-olds like myself! So go get Under The Mistletoe today if you haven’t already and get ready for Justin Bieber to take the world by storm again in 2012.
The LG Blog 