Released: October 16, 2012

By: Scotty McCreery

The American Idol season 10 winner brings his signature deep southern drawl to Christmas songs, but unfortunately doesn’t add anything new that would set this album apart.

Many of the songs are kept upbeat with a great take on the Burl Ives classic “Holly Jolly Christmas” a few songs after the opening “Let it Snow.” You can easily sing along to your favorites here.

While McCreery is a talented vocalist and clearly won a place in American’s hearts, it doesn’t make up for the fact that he’s solely singing the songs on this album and not performing them. There’s often no real emotion to be felt, not matter how great he sounds, and that is the ultimate killing feature of the album. The only hard-hitting song is heartfelt “Christmas in Heaven.”

Final say: A great, yet unmemorable Christmas album. ★★☆☆☆