Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas II You

Nothing gets the gag reflex going like schmaltzy retreads of Christmas carols by superstars who should know better.

So right off the bat it’s a relief to hear Mariah Carey try something different with the raucous R’n’B-flavoured Oh Santa!

That’s followed closely by a O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy mash-up that allows Ms Carey a chance to give that multi-octave vocal range of hers a proper work out.

But mostly the vocal histrionics are held in check as she skips merrily through Christmas standards like Here Comes Santa Claus and Charlie Brown Christmas while the updated production keeps everything bearable.

It doesn’t suck, basically.

3/4

 

– Alison Grinter