Snc - Christmas Cheers

Last December, I jumped on the Straight No Chaser bandwagon, getting both their Christmas CD's in about a week. I really do enjoy them both, but I will admit that Christmas Cheers, their second release, isn't quite as good as the first one.If you aren't already familiar with the group, Straight No Chaser is a 10 member a cappella group that first formed at a college in Indiana. They rose to fame when a video of their funny take on "The 12 Days of Christmas" went huge on YouTube. (If you haven't seen it, search for it. It's a riot.) The first disc included that live version. This one features a new, studio recording of the classic. All the same jokes and other songs are included. At first I was excited to get a studio version, but I've got to confess it loses something without the audience's reactions. I actually prefer the live version.Ah, but that's the final track out of 15. There's still plenty of Christmas music goodness here. They start out with the original track "The Christmas Can-Can." This is an upbeat, fun song that basically mocks how commercial our Christmas celebration is here in the states. When they sing lines like "Heard this song 20 times already and it's only Halloween," I can't help but laugh. (And yes, this is coming from the guy who started listening to Christmas music in October this year.)But there are plenty of more serious songs on the disc. "We Three Kings" is a fun take on the classic. They actually sing the song over a modified version of the "Mission Impossible" theme, or at least that's what the first few bars always make me think of. They do four of the five verses. My favorite is the last one where they give things a Jamaican feel.Nothing will ever replace the original version of "Christmastime is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas for me. However, the guys do a great job of covering it here. Their harmonies are tight, and the way they sing it to echo each other is stunningly beautiful. They get rather high as well, almost matching the falsetto the kids use on the special.They also cover "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" from that TV special. Again, nothing can top the original, and their version won't be giving it a run for its money. Their alternative melody at times and the lower range they use make this one seem slightly sinister. That just makes some of the classic lines all the funnier to me.Of course, if you want more traditional arrangements, you won't be disappointed here either. "O Holy Night" is a very traditional take on the song. All 10 of the guys are singing here, no vocal instruments or beat box to distract from the lyrics. And their harmonies? Outstanding. This is the reason to get an a cappella disc. They let a soloist handle most of "I'll be Home for Christmas" while various humming vocal instrument sounds in the background, but it is similarly beautiful. Their "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is very upbeat and fun with occasional flights of fancy that make me smile. And they really take some liberties with the melody of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," but it's an upbeat and fun take on the classic song.The reason I don't like this disc as much as their first Christmas release are their attempts as additional humorous songs. Okay, that's not quite true, "Who Spiked the Eggnog?" is an upbeat song likely to get stuck in your head. Just imagine the looks you'll get walking down the street singing it under your breath.The other attempts at humor really do show the range of the guys in this group. I really do wish I could enjoy them more. "Donde Esta Santa Claus" has a very Mexican flavor with their vocals doing a great job of imitating shakers and castanets. I can't completely place my finger on what bothers me about the song, but maybe it's the various changes in tempo that don't quite work for me."Hey Santa!" is the best of the three songs. It's got a Dixieland Jazz feel to it, with most of the guys singing the lyrics in perfect unison and harmony. This one is kind of fun, although I get tired of it before I wear out the other arrangements here."Santa Claus is Back in Town" would be impressive if it weren't for the lyrics. The lead vocalist does a very impressive Elvis impression. You'd swear he was actually singing with them. However, when he gets to the part where he talking about being lonely at the North Pole, it gets awkward for me. Then there's the discussion of the food he's looking forward to eating like mayonnaise candy canes or spam gingerbread houses. It pretty much loses me there.So, no, this disc isn't perfect. But there are still enough fun songs to make it worth your while to track down. Just like the promise, Straight No Chaser will give you some Christmas Cheers.

For many of us, our first exposure to Straight No Chaser (SNC) was with their inventive a cappella rendition of the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. There is something delightfully playful about that arrangement. It leads the listener through familiar territory while on an unfamiliar path. Where were they taking us next? Their talent is clear, their voices are pure and their sound meshes beautifully together.This latest CD features mostly traditional carols done in a generally recognizable way. The flights of fancy are more grounded than soaring. Even with that observation, this is a simply terrific CD with some subtle touches I appreciated. Other reviewers have noted obvious musical style influences in some of the songs. What is most impressive is how deftly SNC handle any style - they really can sing. Below is a brief synopsis of each song. Note that when I use the term "boy band" to describe the style they've selected for a particular song, I intend nothing but respect because when they perform that style, they do it better than almost anyone.Christmas Can Can - High energy novelty song - cute and borderline annoying.We Three Kings - Starts with the intro to the Mission Impossible theme song, which, of course, given the Three Kings task, is quite clever. The rest of the song is otherwise traditional.Christmastime Is Here (Charlie Brown Christmas) - Uses the opening bars from the O' Christmas Tree carol. The song itself is otherwise a straight rendition with the style being a male chorale group.Let It Snow - R & B treatment of the song with a creative arrangement that is quite unique. The lyrics remain as written.Donde Esta Santa Claus - Song is effectively performed in a 50's Doo Wop style.I'll Be Home for Christmas - Beautiful "boy band" harmonies. They moved the song introduction to the middle to great effect. It actually was much more moving re-positioned.Hey Santa! - Manhattan Transfer style with great energy.Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Done in a jazzy style with some altered lyrics.You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch - Interesting sound from the Bass members of the group with a "boy band" sound. Traditional lyrics used.Oh Holy Night - the style used is the one that defines them - a male a cappella chorale group. This is a very traditional and also a very beautiful rendition.Santa Claus is Back in Town - is an impressive imitation of Elvis' classic version with some additional lyrics.God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Definitely has a Manhattan Transfer feel to it, and the opening howling wind sound effect is quite ethereal.Jingle Bells - SNC's choral ability shines in this song, a tune that has been done so many times it is impressive that they managed a fresh arrangement and some new lyrics.Who Spiked the Egg Nog - Jazzy style and the song is surprisingly sophisticated.The Twelve Days of Christmas - Studio version of the version on the first CD. It is fun to have another version of the song.They have not duplicated the magic of The Twelve Days of Christmas and perhaps it isn't necessary. I enjoyed this CD very much and would highly recommend it to all who like male a cappella music and aren't offended or annoyed by a slight twist on tradition. This is not a CD to listen to when cuddling by the fire, it is too high energy. It is better suited for a party or when the listener needs a second wind to finish up gift wrapping or cookie baking.

Straight No Chaser is hands down one of the most entertaining groups to come along in years. And the fact that they were "rediscovered" decades after first performing makes their trek all the more amazing. Last year they released their first official CD  Holiday Spirits  which soon soared to the top of the charts. Their latest release, "Christmas Cheers," comes on the heels of the excellent EP  Six Pack [Amazon Exclusive ]. The songs are a mix of timeless classics and entertaining comical songs mixed with original material. They are definitely the holiday go-to guys.Kicking off with the peppy "Christmas Can-Can" which includes original lyrics featuring melodies from several traditional holiday songs (as well as the "Can-Can" from "Orpheus in the Underground"); in an arrangement only they could come up with. Other stand out songs include "We Three Kings" which is performed to the melody of "Mission Impossible," the fantastic Vince Guaraldi tune "Christmastime is Here," the always pleasing "I'll be Home for Christmas," a funky version of "Let it Snow" listeners won't recognize, and a great version of "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" which allows the bass singers to finally sing... lyrics. The album concludes with a studio version of "12 Days of Christmas," a medley of numerous songs and garbling of the lyrics - and the song that made them famous. It is a nice crisp alternative to the live version released last year.Fans of the a cappella group will not be disappointed. And it doesn't have to be the holiday season to enjoy the songs. And if you are fortunate enough to see them live, you will be amazed - they sound exactly like they do on their CD's, with the added bonus of their interactions with the audience and each other.

When it's time for Christmas, I whip out my beloved Christmas CD and listen to it almost all the time; this CD, Christmas Cheers.It contains a great mix of upbeat and more quiet songs, with some interesting styles involved. The singers are very good and work well together, and has a really good feel to it!Great CD!!!!

Not their very best (bit too jazzy in places for me) but nevertheless, Straight No Chaser is pure entertainment. A lovely album to have around at Christmas.

This is a fantasic CD for anyone who's feb up of the traditional christmas songs, i would recommend purchasing it.

My mum loved it! Great songs, would recommend to anyone wanting a Christmas album or who loves straight no chaser

A lovely cd, well sung, every word clear to hear a delightful addition to ant Christmas list of fun music foar a party