Welsh mezzo-soprano
Katherine Jenkins' first official holiday album sounds exactly like what one would expect from the reigning queen of the classical crossover charts. Lush, languid, and lovingly orchestrated, the succinct, ten-track
This Is Christmas is certainly bereft of surprises, catering to the comforts of the season by sticking with the standards ("Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Deck the Halls," "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," "Away in a Manger"), despite tossing in a sugar plum-encrusted curve ball with a swooning rendition of "Come What May" from Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge. Throughout it all,
Jenkins further cements her reputation as one of the 21st century's vocal pop greats, instilling each familiar melody, whether it be sacred ("O Come O Come Emmanuel") or silly ("Santa Baby") with the warmth of a thousand fireplaces. ~ James Christopher Monger