And now for something extremely biased.
Seriously. The only way I could be more biased about this review is if I were an actual Backstreet Boy. My bias is on par with one of their wives. Rightfully so; I’ve supported them longer than most of them have known those women, with maybe the exception of Leighanne Littrell, but she and Brian are currently sort of persona non grata with me for political reasons, so we won’t talk about her.
I have liked these Boys since 1997, been obsessed since midway through 1998. I have seen them in concert approximately 25 times between 1998 and 2019, even risking a concert three days before my daughter’s due date. I have been on two cruises with them. I have seen special invitation only performances and met them at VIP events. In other words, I have dropped a lot of money on them. What can I say? They were a constant during a formative part of my life where I was feeling dejected and down. They gave me hope.
So I give them a paycheck.
In 1998, at peak boy band popularity, rival group *NSYNC put out their second album, Home for Christmas. It quickly became the gold standard of Christmas albums to most people I know regardless of their taste in music otherwise. I didn’t buy into the boy band feud, didn’t understand why two bands who made similar music had to have fans who chose one and hated the other. I am one of those people who loved/still loves/will always love Home for Christmas. It hosts one of my top 5 favorite Christmas songs ever, “(All I Want is You) This Christmas.” I have always loved the fact that 11 of its 15 songs are originals, and certainly not shitty ones. I have never found another Christmas album that gives me the feels like *NSYNC’s.
I used to spend a LOT of time in the music store in my youth. (Kids, a “music store” is a place where things like cassette tapes and CDs are sold because MP3s weren’t a thing yet.) I probably have $10,000 worth of CDs (more on that forthcoming). I always scoured the upcoming board behind the counter to know when something wonderful was getting ready for release. There was a thrill in a good CD preorder.
So the day the Backstreet Boys Christmas album was on that board circa 2000? You know my ass put down the $2 needed to reserve myself a copy. Strange that I hadn’t heard about it through the BSB channels (re: chat rooms and their website), but I would not be left behind on what was certain to be a treasure.
But then. Christmas came and went, and no album was released or even talked about. No idea where Musicland had gotten their intel from. Months later when I asked, they were happy to give me my deposit back. I would have rather forked over another $12 and had myself a merry little Backstreet Christmas, thank you very much. Instead I had to settle for 1996’s “Christmas Time,” the one Christmas song the Boys did record when Nick was 15 and his nasally voice hadn’t changed yet. And later, 2012’s “It’s ChristmasTime Again,” was a refreshing bit of holiday cheer.
But no full playlist.
So *NSYNC it was, eventually joined by Chris Rhea and Carrie Underwood when I could create my own YouTube playlist of favs.
Until. July 2022. An email entitled “Christmas in July” from the Backstreet Boys.
Yes, finally, FINALLY, OVER 20 YEARS LATER, I would be getting the Christmas gift I have been wanting more than all others. (Who needs to ask for peace on Earth when Nick and AJ can sing about it for you, amiright?)
So me blasting the Christmas music starting October 14, 2022 was not me saying Christmas came early. For me, this Christmas is very, very overdue.
So. How is it?
I was nervous when I opened Youtube on 10/14 and searched for A Very Backstreet Christmas. I mean, when 98* put out their Christmas album? It mostly underwhelmed me. (Not to mention annoyed me that a group that was not as lucrative as the Boys was able to put out an album before they were. Research had taught me the monetary success of an artist is what enabled them to record Christmas music, so why BSB didn’t do so in 2000 was way beyond me.)
Dear reader, I cannot stop listening to this album.
As previously stated, I’m beyond biased. Backstreet takes me to a place of nostalgia and comfort like no other musical group can. This isn’t to say I can’t criticize - I mean, Brian’s butchering of the Spanish language in that version of “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” used to move me to laughing tears, and a large amount of the lyrics on “This is Us” are cringy. But for the most part, I have nothing but love, love, and more love for the Boys.
But even my biased behind can sense something special about A Very Backstreet Christmas. To start off, the harmonies. Oh my word, the harmonies. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say these are the best harmonies the Boys have ever created. Perhaps it’s because instead of their ages ranging from 13-21, as they did at the time of the group’s formation, they now range from 42-51. (You’re reading that right- the group will indeed celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.) There are no more squeaky, prepubescent moments (not that there have been for years), but each Boy’s voice is rich, experienced, and confident. For as long as they’ve been doing this, they should be.
The other piece to this is humility. Each member of the group has obviously aged; now all are happily married for 10-20 years and have families of their own. Egos have seemingly dissolved. In the early days, you’d be hard pressed to find more than a line or two in each album that Kevin and Howie were allowed to solo. However, here each Boy shares the spotlight, but even better, they share it together, letting the drama of the music unfold through their group vocalizations versus belting out a solo.
Years ago, I would have been hoping for more original songs, but now I’m digging the choices made to remake classics, modern classics (re: other artists’ original Christmas songs that don’t date back 75+ years), and just two originals. It all blends together so well
Maybe it’s me. Maybe my tastes are more coffee and pumpkin pie than Coca Cola and French fries these days. But this album, dripping with harmonies as mellow and cozy as the hot chocolate and marshmallows I want to drink while listening to it suits my ears, and their voices, more than just fine.
The verdict? So worth the 20 year wait. And I don’t know if they could have delivered something I, or they, were this ready for all those years ago. Put it on, light a fire, and turn out all the lights. Relax and enjoy.
If you’re not sick of me praising this album to the high heavens and are ready for a track list breakdown, you’re in luck!
But if you can’t stomach anymore, you can totally bow out now, and I won’t be offended.
White Christmas. Remember when I said the Boys take me to a place of nostalgia like none other? I think they were fully aware of that when they recorded this version of this song. Very reminiscent of the version from Home Alone (arguably the most Christmas of all the Christmas movies ever), right from Kevin Richardson’s deep “duh duh duh”s at the beginning. Although my favorite part is probably Nick crooning “Ay, ay, ay, I’m dreaming” towards the end. Very Frankie Valley.
The Christmas Song. This was always among my favorites growing up, but I haven’t loved a pop version of it until now. *NSYNC’s was too draggy, while 98°’s was too islandy, and Christina Aguilera over sang hers. This one has more of a 90s slow jam vibe, with a heavy drum down beat, some of those signature, perfectly blended harmonies I waxed poetic about above, and a cute jingle bell thrown in for good measure.
Winter Wonderland. A standard take on a classic. A capella, snaps, crispy, clean lead vocals from Kevin Richardson (seriously, his voice is next level on this one) to start, and barbershop “oohs and aahs” supporting.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Have yourself a merry little glass of red wine/hot chocolate/hot buttered rum/mulled cider and enjoy this one in front of a roaring fireplace. With a jazzy piano tinkling in the background, a few guitar riffs stepping forward for the lead in places, and a light snare drum keeping time in the background, this one conjures up images in my mind of basking in the holiday feel of a quaint log cabin, a cuddle, and the lights on a Christmas tree. Okay, you can throw The Christmas Song onto my log cabin playlist, too, but this one kicks that vibe up a few notches. Seriously. Someone needs to create one of those ambiance YouTube videos of such a quiet cabin with this one jamming over the visual.
Last Christmas. The first remake of a more modern classic on the album. Of course Wham!’s version is the be all and end all, and Arianna Grande’s is good enough. I really enjoy this one, as it remains true to the original while taking some vocal liberties and layering in some very early 2000s dance beats. It’s the first single off the album, and one I know I personally will be listening to a lot.
O Holy Night. Now, here is a song that, in my humble opinion, *NSYNC perfected. (I told you, it’s the gold standard! Of course I’m comparing everything to it!) I love their faster than usual tempo and their a cappella take. It’s hard for any version to compare. (Side note: my husband swears Josh Groban’s version is the best.That’s a valid opinion.) But I will say there are some unexpected bits of the Boys’ version that serve to surprise in a positive manner. I have memories of one of the most talented singers in my high school belting the heck out of this one at Edison’s tree lighting in 2002. It’s a song of big vocals and dramatic execution. But what I love about this version is it subverts expectations. At the moments that most people choose to make the loudest, the Boys pull back their solo voices and bring in the whole group to softly float through the harmonies. Namely, each time they sing the line “O night divine” I get chills. I’ve already listened to the album at least a dozen times, and each time, I forget that someone is not going to belt this part out. A pleasant surprise with each listen.
This Christmas. I find the proximity of This Christmas to Last Christmas funny each time I hit this spot on the album. Now we’re back to another contemporary classic, and I have to say, one of my favorite tracks the Boys have put up for offer here. This is my mom’s favorite Christmas song ever, though she’s a lover of the Donnie Hathaway original. But I think this version would do Donnie proud. Again, it’s faithful while adding some jazz/funk piano and guitar riffs. It’s another one I’ll put on repeat on Christmas Eve.
Same Old Lang Syne. I was going to claim that Dan Fogelberg’s semi-autobiographical Christmas Eve tribute to an ex isn't oft redone, though Google proved me wrong on that one. Still, it isn’t one I’ve heard another version of until now. It’s slow, pensieve, and full of wistful memories. Did the Boys choose this one based on the knowledge that their solid audience base, at this point in their careers, might be experiencing these same sorts of encounters as we all approach the ⅓ of our life marks? (We’re not at midlife, but we’re well past quarter-life, so I’m making third-life a thing.) Brilliant thinking tempered with brilliant harmonies.
Silent Night. Standard song, standard harmonies. For some reason, I really like it when Nick hits the “Fall on your knees” bridge. His tone quality isn’t usually as pure as it is when he sings the word “fall.” Good on ya, Nick.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I’d describe a Christmas song as sexy, but guys? This rendition of this song is sexy. Is that really weird? Whatever. I’m not apologizing. Much like Have Yourself… and The Christmas Song, this song lends itself to images of relaxing in a log cabin, turning off all the lights except those on the tree, and enjoying your favorite beverage while cuddled up with a loved one. And maybe slow dancing in front of the tree light. And maybe just seeing where the night takes you… It might sound really weird, but it really works. If I had to pare the album down to the 3 best songs, this one would make the cut.
Christmas in New York. It’s… good. Not my absolute fav, but it does evoke the comfy, homey feeling that goes with imagined Christmas in New York City. Unfortunately, though we’ve hunted for it, my husband and I have never found that actual magical NYC area at Christmas time. We always find the city opproessively crowded, stupidly cold, and at times still reeking of vomit and piss in the way only NYC can. But the NYC of Home Alone 2 that you picture in your head? Yes, this song does a good job of matching that tone.
Together. If I were hosting a Christmas R&B dance party, this would be how I would start it off. Very 90s rhythm and blues vibes. I find myself singing this one the most. “Can’t wait to celebrate/Being together this holiday” is the catchiest, ear wormiest line on the album. Some of the other lines toe the line of stupid lyrics I spoke of before. The entire second verse… It starts with AJ singing, “Hey, I got your present right here,” which sounds somehow too in-you-face lewd mixed with a New York taxi driver screaming angrily out his window. “I gotcha present right here, buddy!” But melody wise, it’s another keeper.
Happy Days. Is this my favorite song on the album? Strong possibility. An interview with People magazine let us know the Boys based this one on Justin Timberlake’s amazingly feel good anthem “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” which I have to admit has been topping the “songs to put Shauna in an awesome mood” list for a few years now. I’d say Happy Days does a pretty stellar job of capturing the same feeling. It never name checks any holiday, though a few lines could be interpreted as alluding to New Year sentiments. What it does name check? Marvin Gaye, aka my mom’s favorite artist of all time. So bonus points there, Boys.
BONUS TIME!
Feliz Navidad. If you purchased the album at Target, congratulations on finding it! It took me hours of my life and trips to three separate stores! (Special thanks to my mom for doing most of the leg work.) Worth the leg work, though, for this fun, samba inspired take on Feliz. The updated beat brings this 1970 hit into at least 2009 if not 2022. I let my friend who’s a Zumba instructor know to add this into her holiday repertoire. For the record, though the rest of the album can be found on YouTube, I haven’t been successful at finding this song yet. Yes, there’s a version of it floating around claiming to be BSB, but don’t be fooled.
It’s Christmas Time Again. I’m glad to have this song on an album, but just so we’re all clear, it’s 10 years old. Wow. I did not realize time had gotten away from me that quickly. In his memoir Facing the Music and Living to Talk About It, Nick talked about writing this song as a way to earn the Boys’ trust back after some serious missteps with drugs and alcohol. Obviously no one was kicking him out of the group after he wrote this “timeless Christmas anthem,” as Aritstsdirect called it. I’ve had a Christmas playlist created for some years now, and this one has always been towards the top.
Anyone still here? TL;DR?
Well. Bottom line - whether it’s come early this year or 20 years late, I’m glad the Backstreet Boys finally delivered on a long standing promise and have given me a Christmas album I’ll listen to on repeat for years to come.
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