I Reviewed a Christmas Album. It’s Kacey Musgraves’ “A Very Kacey Christmas”
I feel like such a tool. Like I might as well be trying to pitch you Amway or something, or putting up some sponsored post for a pair of polarized sunglasses that is the perfect gift for that someone who has everything. It’s not that I’m such a cold-hearted bastard that I can’t at least understand the pull that Christmas music has on so many people. The Christmas season is full of memory and nostalgia that it’s frankly hard to not get swept up in no matter how much you attempt to shield yourself from the over-the-top revelry and über-consumption.
In the country music department, the amount of emphasis on Christmas releases in 2016 has been nothing short of astounding, and maybe even historic. And I’m not just talking about “Rascal Flatts Sing The Chipmunks” or whatever crap that’s out there. Even independent artists and country legends have showered the country music listening public with a crush of albums, compilations, and singles in 2016 to the point where you don’t even know where to start listening, and all during a time of year when you’re supposed to be focusing on the stuff you missed, and retrospective of what you think might have been the best for the year.
The whole enterprise just feels as fake as a PVC Christmas tree—performers out there taking promo photos in August in their Santa hats and sleighs while sweating their asses off, and to beat the Holiday rush you now have to release your Christmas music in September. There’s a reasons suicides spike around the Holidays, and though Christmas music may not be directly to blame, it doesn’t help that it’s so damn pursuant in American culture starting after Halloween. You can’t avoid this stuff.
But if there was one release that I though had any hope at drilling through the hard shell encasing this Ebeneezer heart, perhaps it might be Kacey Musgraves’ A Very Kacey Christmas. It’s not that I’m some huge Kacey Musgraves fanboy. It’s because if anybody could potentially get the right balance of nostalgia, humor, and the touch of sorrow that most everyone experiences at some point during December, perhaps it would be her.
Though you won’t find a shortage of naysayer country fans trying to convince you that Kacey Musgraves is nothing more than the brunette version of Taylor Swift, she has become the country mainstream’s current version of a neotraditionalist. That seems a little strange to say since Kacey started in the business by trying to chip away at social norms with songs like “Merry Go ‘Round” and “Follow Your Arrow.” But at some point along the way she found her niche, and found her kitsch, and from her elaborate throwback costuming and the style of her songs, to the way her collaborations these days center more around Willie Nelson and George Strait as opposed to opening sets for Kenny Chesney, Kacey Musgraves is new country’s old soul.
And since the creation of a Christmas record is the ultimate exercise in recycling old material, perhaps Musgraves has a market advantage over the rest of country music’s new blood. Radio’s not going to play her stuff anyway, so she might as well just do what she wants, and Kacey wears light up Nudie-inspired costumes in the dead of summer. Christmas almost seems custom made for her.
Most of what you get on A Very Kacey Christmas is average fare for Christmas records—rehashed versions of old standards like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Choosing slightly more off speed material like “Feliz Navidad” and “Mele Kalikimaka” doesn’t really make your Christmas project any more unique, because folks have been using these songs for nearly a half century to spice up the yuletide season as well. “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” plays into Kacey’s kitschy side, which as you can imagine is in full force on this record, but still doesn’t offer anything especially unique.
Give Kacey credit for thinking a bit outside the box on the collaborations she chose for the record. Multiple appearances by the amazing Quebe Sisters helped instill A Very Kacey Christmas with some real deal old-school 3-part close harmonies that are a dying art form if there ever was one, and even though the style of Leon Bridges felt a bit out of place here, it’s a much better name than Chris Young or whomever else you can come up with. And a little bit of Willie Nelson makes anything better, even if “A Willie Nice Christmas” feels like a stoner’s inside joke that should have been killed in the idea phase—a few of the lines worthy of a chuckle the first time through notwithstanding.
Where A Very Kacey Christmas earns its salt is not in the celebrity appearances or even the ultra-kitschy refrying of worn-out Christmas standards. It’s when Kacey gets sentimental in the album’s original material, from the sweet “Ribbons and Bows,” to the saddening “Christmas Makes Me Cry.” The album also ends on a misty-eyed moment when Musgraves turns in an especially stirring rendition of “What Are You Doing New Years Eve?” If nothing else, this album really highlights what a good singer Kacey Musgraves is—better than her original studio albums do. Her voice has both a dryness and a classic tone that takes to seasonal music better than most.
It’s still a Christmas record, but unlike so many of these efforts that feel like nothing more than a Holiday cash grab or a right of passage for a popular artist, you get the sense this is something Kacey Musgraves sincerely wanted to do, and is especially looking forward to the tour that will follow. All Christmas music must be graded on a curve, and don’t let this signal that somehow I’ve acquiesced to some new reality where September through December is now the new Christmas music season. But in a year of unprecedented output of the Holiday variety—most of which that isn’t worth a lump of coal in a stocking—Kacey Musgraves’ A Very Kacey Christmas at least didn’t make me feel like a sucker for listening.
1 1/2 Guns Up (7/10)
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TwangBob
November 28, 2016 @ 9:46 am
I bought this CD when it was released and have been spinning it more than other Christmas albums. (Yes, I am a Christmas music lover who enjoys the holiday season. Radio hardly plays any country Christmas songs; the usual 237 holiday standards by pop artists always get the majority of airplay. But I digress… ) I like the overall production, although “Mele Kalikimaka” should have featured the ukulele in the musical mix to play up the Hawaiian stereotype. I agree that her voice is a nice fit on all of the songs. The album offers a good variety of holiday songs with a couple originals to make the record a little more unique. By the way, your review is “spot on” and is appreciated!
albert
November 28, 2016 @ 10:40 am
“Rascal Flatts Sing The Chipmunks”
Will you be reviewing this Trigger …and where can I get it ?
Too funny …….
albert
November 28, 2016 @ 11:15 am
Although I’m a huge fan of her lyric – writing , her melodic sensibilities and her always perfect marriage of production to subject matter, I would stop short of calling Kacey a great singer . I’m not saying she can’t sing and doesn’t have a ‘ character ‘ about her vocals that sets her apart from many . I’m saying she’s nowhere near a Maren Morris , a Miranda , a Dolly or a Holly Williams in the vocal department . And again , that’s not why I ‘m a fan . It’s WHAT she is saying ..not HOW she’s saying/singing it that makes me a fan.
Kacey LOOKS and sounds like the actress cast to sing the TV jingle for the latest fabric softener. And , I fear , that had she NOT established cred as a writer first and been VERY easy on the eye , that may well have been her musical fate . Saying this , it seems to me that a Xmas record by her would be the perfect ‘ commercial ‘ fit . You don’t need to be a Dolly or a Reba or a Martina to sell a Xmas record to folks . Most of these songs have been selling THEMSELVES for nearly a century . You only need to be a likeable vocalist capable of recording and touring them . THIS will , hopefully , garner KM even MORE support for her future original efforts and always higher-than-average song writing standards .
Recording a Xmas record early in an artist’s career is always a good business decision. As your popularity and fan base grows , a new market is always ‘discovering’ the record years and years afterwards . It also gives the artist an option of doing another holiday album down the line . There’s certainly no shortage of Christmas songs . Merry Xmas Kacey ……
Donny
November 28, 2016 @ 11:19 am
I saw her Saturday night at Caesars in Windsor. Show was countrier than all hell. Respect for Kacey. Great Christmas album.
Amanda
November 28, 2016 @ 11:32 am
Kacey is incredible. I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Christmas music, but I sure as hell like this album. This album, along with a select few other country Christmas albums (Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, George Strait, and a bargain bin find from about ten years ago with some great holiday songs from Gary Allan, Josh Turner, and Terri Clark) will be in my rotation this holiday season.
Amanda
November 28, 2016 @ 11:34 am
In a world full of pretty boy pop singers and Taylor Swift wannabes (looking at you, Kelsea Ballerini), Kacey Musgraves is the real deal.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
November 28, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
Ew. just. no.
Warthog
November 28, 2016 @ 12:29 pm
Anybody can record older-than-dirt holiday songs and slap them on a disc, but I believe it takes something special to write an original Christmas tune and have it be genuine. Very few artists have done it well, in my opinion. Alan Jackson and Keith Whitley (There’s A New Kid In Town) set the bar for what a country Christmas song should be, and I think Kacey does a really good job with the original songs on this album, and reaches that bar several times. 2 guns up from me.
Oh, and let’s not forget the best honky-tonk, sweat-stained, acid dripped country Christmas record of all time, Bob Wayne’s “Santa Sings Sabbath.” Can’t wait to break out that album this year.
Biscuit
November 28, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
It was a bit funny to hear Kacey pitching this new album at Pilgrimage in Franklin this year as it was a freaking blistering 98 plus degree day and spontaneous combustion suddenly felt like a very real possibility. Let It Snow indeed!
BwareDWare94
November 28, 2016 @ 1:06 pm
Not gonna lie, I love her music and the fact that she’s jaw-dropping beautiful is just window dressing. I may be convinced to listen to Xmas music, yet.
Summer Jam
November 28, 2016 @ 1:36 pm
I love Kacey!!!! I named my daughter after her 🙂
Amanda
November 28, 2016 @ 2:37 pm
Holy shit! That’s awesome! I was planning to do the exact same, one day if I get lucky enough to have a daughter of my own. Kacey is my hero. 🙂
hoptowntiger94
November 28, 2016 @ 1:37 pm
More from Saving County Music:
Kacey Musgraves Greatest Hits
1 1/2 Guns Up
Kacey Musgraves & Katy Perry Duets!
1 1/2 Guns Up
Kacey Musgraves Demos: Songs That Needed a Co-writer (or 2 or 3)
1 1/2 Guns Up
Kacey Musgraves B-Sides: Beyond the Bong!
1 1/2 Guns Up
Lucas
November 28, 2016 @ 2:01 pm
Hey look, there is a black person in that clip! Someone needs to show this to the Bey Hive, stat!
Kevin
November 28, 2016 @ 3:02 pm
What does Christmas celebrate? Yeah…apparently none of that kind if song on here. If you’re going to do a Christmas album, learn what Christmas is about. I’ll have to pass.
BwareDWare94
November 28, 2016 @ 3:24 pm
So you want an artist to sing about basing a holiday around pagan rituals while also perpetuating the birth of Christ nowhere near when it actually occurred? You want an artist to sing about the horrors of selfishness and materialism? You want an artist to sing about grown children reliving traumatic experiences with abusive parents?
Seriously dude, kick rocks.
Kevin
November 28, 2016 @ 4:28 pm
No Bware…that would be for pussies…your area of expertise. Christmas has the word Christ in it…not that hard to figure out.
Trigger
November 28, 2016 @ 5:40 pm
Okay fellas…
CountryCharm
November 28, 2016 @ 3:18 pm
I came in wanting to hate it but surprisingly I don’t. Her voice lends itself well to the classic Christmas staples. I’ll add some of these to my Christmas playlist.
aint Lil Dale livin a dreem
November 28, 2016 @ 5:35 pm
deer trig will u be live blogin jenifer nettalls cuntry Christmas im shur lookin forward to it thank u Lil Dale antiock tennasee
Trigger
November 28, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
No.
In lieu, you can play a drinking game of taking a shot every time Jennifer Nettles wears a new tiny hat.
DJ
November 28, 2016 @ 5:44 pm
Best Christmas song ever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7fw0C17ACk
Megan Conley
November 28, 2016 @ 9:46 pm
Holy shit I don’t hate this. Her voice does fit the songs surprisingly well.
Christian H
November 28, 2016 @ 11:54 pm
Think the wife and daughter would notice if I snuck this between our Sinatra and Elvis Christmas classics?
Colin
November 29, 2016 @ 7:08 am
Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present will always take the cake for me, but I’m happy to give this one a few spins.
Ken
November 29, 2016 @ 7:32 am
Can’t believe that you have spent so much time writing this review Surely man, your time could have been spent doing much more useful work. You probably agree but it still was an amusing read.
In days gone by I was asked to do a three hour Christmas country show on the station that I worked with for 33 years. Foolishly I did it and swore there and then that would be the last time. After about 30 minutes I was convinced I was just playing the same record over and over again. By the end of the three hours, I was ready to kill Santa Claus, reindeers and everything else connected to the holiday season.
There should be a law that says that broadcasters can only play one Christmas song in any one hour of broadcast time apart from on Christmas day. I’d vote for that!!
Gena R.
November 29, 2016 @ 7:37 am
Sounds good, but I’m holding out for Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood’s ‘Christmas Together’ myself; they also have a version of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”. (Plus, Trisha’s ‘The Sweetest Gift’ is one of the few non-compilation Christmas CDs I own.) 🙂
Jamie Lavigne
November 29, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Thanks for reviewing “A Very Kacey Christmas” Trigger.
Not really into Christmas albums, but I like Kacey and I think she does a good job.
This release doesn’t feel contrived like a lot of country christmas albums do.
Her four originals are the best stuff on the album.
Talking of good country Christmas music. Sunny Sweeney’s new (old) song ‘One More Christmas Beer’ is finally getting released on iTunes. Just thought I’d bring it to y’alls attention. Might want to check it out. Very country and well written – http://www.rollingstone.com/country/premieres/hear-sunny-sweeneys-boozy-one-more-christmas-beer-w452609
Liz
November 29, 2016 @ 6:21 pm
I like Kacey as writer. Her voice is fine for her songs. For me her voice is too boring for Christmas music.
Corncaster
November 29, 2016 @ 7:37 pm
trig admit it, you reviewed it cause you have a crush on kacey
it’s fine: we all do
Drew
November 30, 2016 @ 11:58 am
Does anyone on here know where or how I can get a physical copy of Jamey Johnson’s “The Christmas Song?”
Biscuit
November 30, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
It came out in October, but if you are looking for a more traditional country music Christmas experience, Loretta Lynn’s “White Christmas Blue” is recommended.. Lots of pedal steel and she sounds great.
Sarah
December 4, 2016 @ 11:01 pm
Enjoying this album so far, although there are a couple I skip. I “discovered” Lindi Ortega’s Christmas album today and that will be added to my rotation!!
CCK
December 24, 2016 @ 11:29 am
She’s the sorta’ almost, nearly, country version of Katy Perry… without the breast implants.
Ryan
December 24, 2016 @ 11:13 pm
I’ll plead with anyone who’ll listen to check out Sean McConnell’s “Mary and Joe”. The best modern original Christmas story song I’ve heard.