Thursday , March 28 2024
The album is uplifting and cheerful, while being innocent and sweet.

Music Review: Ali Lohan – Lohan Holdiay

Lindsay Lohan's younger sister Ali broke into the business in the very same way Lindsay did – as a Ford Agency model at the age of three. She went from print ads to small acting roles to music. In 2005, her first single, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was included on Totally Awesome Christmas with the likes of Hilary Duff and Jesse McCartney. This year, now twelve years old, she is releasing her own full-length holiday CD, Lohan Holiday.

The album contains a nice mix of holiday classics and original material, and is delivered with her young voice exuding a child-like innocence befitting the songs chosen. The classic songs include "Winter Wonderland," Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," and "Deck The Halls." The overall tone and quality of her vocals reminds me of a children's choir performing a holiday program. It's very youthful and bright, but does lack a maturity or depth.

You won't find a hauntingly beautiful rendition of your favorite carol or a new spin on a classic with a lot of range, but then again she is twelve, so it's okay. The album is uplifting and cheerful, while being innocent and sweet. Children and young teens will adore it and parents will find it quirky and fun.

The album is truly a family affair. On "Silent Night" her mother lends her voice, reciting a portion of the nativity story in an altered, almost newscaster-like, voice. Sister Lindsay also makes a guest appearance on the original "Lohan Holiday" which is as sweet as a sugar cookie and pure bubble-gum pop. There is also a guest appearance by Amy Grant on "Santa's Reindeer Ride." Grant's voice complements Lohan's and gives the song a depth of maturity, making it a highlight on the album. Though it is one of the most intricate, it is not so much so that it seems out of place with the other songs.

The official closing track is a delightful version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with various members of the Lohan family delivering holiday wishes and greetings to each other as well as the listener. It gives the album a warm ending and finality – even though a bonus track, a remix of "I Like Christmas, does follow. Lighter on vocals and heavier on the synthesized instrumentation than the earlier version, the song really comes off as an extended closing, not adding all that much in either content or sentiment.

Much like the message of "I Like Christmas," I like — not love — this album. It’s fun, it has an innocence and youthful excitement to it, which is what the holidays are about for me. It's the kind of album you'll be excited to pull out when December snow begins to fall, but just as ready to put away with the holiday ornaments.

Track Listing

  • Christmas Day
  • I Like Christmas
  • Winter Wonderland
  • Christmas Magic
  • Jingle Bells
  • Groove Of Christmas
  • Lohan Holiday
  • Deck The Halls
  • Silent Night
  • Santa's Reindeer Ride
  • We Wish You A Merry Christmas
  • *Bonus track – I Like Christmas (Remix)

About Connie Phillips

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