I suppose given the time of year, the fact most “Top whatevers of 2022” are basically done and I’m personally only waiting on the last Weezer SZNZ album before finalizing things…this can be…less judgy? I saw the old Backstreet Boys released a Christmas album in October; which seems kinda weird, but I suppose that’s when the retail stores start so why can’t BSB, right?

This will be a little different since we all know most of the songs, this will just be the BSB flair on Christmas classics. So grab some egg nog, hot chocolate or coquito, and lets try to just enjoy the sounds of the season. Unless its terrible…but come on, that’s not gonna happen – right?

Backstreet Boys are: Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ Mclean, Howie Dorough & Kevin Richardson

• Artist: Backstreet Boys
• Album: A Very Backstreet Christmas (2022)
• Label: K-BAHN
• Total Track Length: 43:37

White Christmas kicks things off with a more defined Barbershop vibe. The tempo is a little sped up from the classic Irving Berlin or Bing Crosby versions many are thinking about; but the rendition pays homage enough while being much more in a pop vein. The Christmas Song will never be quite as perfect as Nat King Cole‘s version, but they do let Kevin have a verse so that adds some warmth to the song. Winter Wonderland wait, the song kicks off with Kevin? So you’re telling me they remember he exists now? They also go for a little more of a Doo Wop arrangement, which suits the song well. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas okay even with AJ leading this song, when we get to the bridge we get more audible Kevin. If any of y’all remember BSB back in the 90s and early 00s, the only reason I’m making mention of the Kevin moments is because him and Howie were rarely utilized in solo spots or turned up. So its just nice to see them even out the harmonies and add warmth to songs that are supposed to have the cozy fireplace vibe.

Last Christmas does this count in WHAMageddon if its a cover, or does it need to be the original only? Is it also odd for me to say, the arrangement sounds more 80s than the original song. I definitely find myself liking this more than the original…not exactly sure…how to process that. O Holy Night while I can say the harmonies are great for this song, I have my personal gripes with how staccato the chorus is. I prefer it sung powerfully and continuous, but its not awful since their harmonies make up for any arrangement issues I have. This Christmas there is a definitely attempt to keep a bit of Motown inspiration on the execution of the song. Same Old Lang Syne full disclosure, I have no clue what this song is. Dan Fogelberg was nowhere near the list of things I listened to as a kid. The story does have a bit of storytelling and folkish allure, so I’ll give them credit for making the cover sound good enough to inspire my curiosity to look for the original at some point.

Silent Night this is one of the most overdone Christmas songs, and I have many memories of hiding from carolers butchering this song during the 90s. I will give them credit though, the thing that always had me prefer Backstreet over N’Sync back in the day was them being better singers. That is nicely on display through the song, and makes me kinda forget all of the horrid attempts from my childhood. I’ll Be Home for Christmas another classic song where most of us grew up on the Bing Crosby version. This one has more of the smoky lounge singer atmosphere, especially with the lightly interspersed piano. I could do without some of the echoed out polyphony, but it fits well enough into their arrangement. Christmas in New York is a song that never really resonated with me. I’ve spent a few Christmases in New York and I think its just the overly positive and dreamlike magic it implies; really makes me wonder what New York they were in. This version captures that same reminiscent magical vibe, but I find myself just rolling my eyes at songs like this.

Together is the first of two new BSB originals. This song is very simple about not being able to wait to celebrate together. So be it a long distance thing, or just a business trip, the crux of the song is things will be great when they’re together again. Cute if not a bit cliché. Happy Days okay a distinct bassline, with some danceable groove, a part of me thinks this is a New Kids on the Block song. Which isn’t an insult, using more dance oriented jazz and groove elements just doesn’t strike me as the usual BSB formula. This is actually an objectively fun song, well sung, a nice groove, damn good song to end the album on.

Alright, so there were moments where I got a little judgy and salty, but its hard to shut it off completely. However, for a Christmas album…this was pretty damn good. The BSB classics of harmonies and great singing haven’t decayed, and yes I’ll say it again; hearing Kevin more directly in a few songs was a nice surprise since his baritone range fills out the bottom end of the harmonies but he never used to get a lot of solo love. That’s probably more of a personal quirk for me since I’m also a baritone and I enjoy hearing that vocal range get some solo time.

But anyway, Happy Days is a great new song and the covers were all pretty good to great. If you like BSB and/or Christmas, this will probably be a good album to spin at least once.

Overall Score: 7.25/10