(Image courtesy of Republic)After Thanksgiving turkeys are devoured and friends and families return home from festivities, the familiar hum of Christmas music sneaks onto radio airwaves and into stores across the country. Whether you love Christmas music or hate it, it seems inevitable that you’ll run into at least one version of “Jingle Bells” or the festive classic, “Feliz Navidad.” If you are tired of hearing Mariah Carey belt “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” there are new options as 2014 Christmas album releases hit the shelves.
Idina Menzel, "Holiday Wishes"
The queen of all things "Frozen," Idina Menzel released a holiday album this season, sure to delight fans of Disney and Broadway musicals. Menzel, who originally made her way into the limelight by starring in the original Broadway casts of massively successful shows like "Rent" and "Wicked," belts classics like “Silent Night” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Menzel recently released “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” a duet with Michael Bublé.
Seth MacFarlane, "Holiday For Swing"
"Family Guy" creator and voice actor Seth MacFarlane is showing his holiday spirit in the form of a Christmas album. MacFarlane is able to soulfully croon during the numerous musical moments on his hit comedy show, but skillfully demonstrates his musical talents on this album. MacFarlane covers ballads like “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”, even performing his own duet version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with Sara Bareilles.
LeAnn Rimes, "One Christmas - Chapter 1"
Country superstar LeAnn Rimes has big holiday plans,including releasing one ofthree Christmas album “chapters” a year, starting with "One Christmas - Chapter 1," according to her website. "One Christmas - Chapter 1," consists of six songs, including major holiday hits like “Blue Christmas” and “Carol Of The Bells.”
Pentatonix, "That’s Christmas To Me"
The breakout a capella group Pentatonix have been releasing viral Christmas song performances on YouTube for the past few years, but have released a full-length holiday album, “That’s Christmas To Me,” featuring an increasingly popular rendition of “Mary Did You Know?” Making music with only their voices, the group covers songs like “Silent Night" and “Sleigh Ride.”
Ellen DeGeneres, "The Only Holiday Album You’ll Ever Need, Volume 1"
While comedian Ellen DeGeneres unfortunately does not perform any of the songs featured on her compilation, the talk-show host has put together an album of Christmas song covers from artists like Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Michael Bublé and Coldplay. The album features classic Christmas songs like "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and "Feliz Navidad," even including more contemporary festive tunes like Lady Gaga's "Christmas Tree" and Coldplay's "Christmas Lights."
While Christmas music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there is no reason to listen to the same covers on repeat with these new renditions being released. Sip on some hot chocolate and get into the festive spirit while checking out some of these new Christmas albums.
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