Though the copyright date on
Under the Mistletoe! says 1995, the collection's drum machine and keyboard-heavy arrangements, not to mention the mannered delivery of the Kensington Theater Ensemble, make the album sound at least a few years older than that. Aside from a certain stiffness in the performances, this is a pleasant-enough collection of holiday staples, including "Little Drummer Boy," "Joy to the World," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." It's a sweet, wholesome collection -- too sweet, at times, as on the bordering on saccharine version of "Sleigh Ride." The occasional instrumentals like "Ding Dong Merrily on High" provide a nice respite from the vocal tracks, of which the traditional tracks fare best. "The Holly and the Ivy" and "The First Noel" may be the collection's best tracks because they're relatively restrained. While the rest of
Under the Mistletoe! doesn't live up to these songs, it's a collection that has something to offer those who want a traditional, slightly theatrical Christmas album. ~ Heather Phares