November 24th, 2012 
James Shotwell 
Artist: Christina Perri
Album: A Merri Perri Christmas
Genre: Holiday/Seasonal
Label: Atlantic
There comes a time in every ambitious pop artist’s career that they are approached with the idea of creating a Christmas album. Christina Perri decided to try her hand at it this year with A Very Merry Perri Christmas. Whether the album’s name came from her ambition to beat Katy Perry to the punch or her marketing team is just that clever, the title definitely helps cheese the album up (which is necessary for any holiday shenanigans). Like most Christmas albums produced in the past twenty years, Perri’s album falls short. Maybe Christmas is all about drinking in nostalgia and rum-infused eggnog while looking at pretty lights. Maybe because producing a new “Christmas sound” just can’t be done. This six-track EP is a wonderful example of the talent Perri can deliver but will probably not make it onto any holiday mixtapes.
For an opening track, “Something About December” misses the mark. Perri delivers lyrics like “lights around the tree” and “hanging mistletoe”, which end up sounding like white noise. Christmas songs are meant to be sung along with and inspire heartwarming feelings; “you’re not alone because the ones you love are never far” is as generic of a motto as one you’d find in a greeting card.
Perri makes an example of how well a cover can be done with “Merry Christmas Darling”. She channels Karen Carpenter’s sound incredibly well and successfully fills your heart with sentimental season’s greetings. She even cues in some Kenny G feel with a short saxophone solo.
“Please Come Home for Christmas” is probably the most unique track on the album. Plus who can resist Elvis-era bluesy-rock? Lyrics like “my baby’s gone, I have no friends, to wish me greetings, once again” hits home to loners and orphans alike. Whether Perri came up with this song by watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or not, the point is the same: lamenting being alone for the holidays.
Perri’s version of “Ave Maria” has nothing on Josh Groban with her whispy pop voice.. The weight of the lyrics are shrugged off in her almost-lullaby version which you can’t appreciate when you know that the lyrics are just about praising Jesus. Maybe it’s the sweeping sound of the guitar or the lack of emotion in her voice, but overall this track is skippable.
The cover for “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” falls a bit short. It’s missing that special something the original has. I think the song is savored less by having the pace kicked up a notch and an acoustic guitar strumming brightly in the background. The song is supposed to be reflecting on a war ended and optimism for the next year; it’s meant to be positive and wise, not enthusiastically bouncy. Striving to achieve a successful cover is respectful but it’s impossible to fill John Lennon’s talented shoes.
“Have Yourself A Merry Christmas” starts out right with a crisp piano sound and Perri singing in an honest and melancolic way. It’s impossible to not imagine cracking fires, warm blankets, hot chocolate and being around loved ones. This song was a great way to end the album because its almost enough to erase the bitter taste that lingered after a few of the other tracks.
While this album is a better choice than tone-deaf Christmas carols or being beaten over the head with an oversized candy cane, it still lacks something to be desired. Overall the verdict is “needs more jinglebell,” and if there’s an immediate need to get all holly and jolly, stick to the classics.
Rating: 4/10
Written by: Leanne Cushing (Twitter)
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