Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer

• Artist: Relient K
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 23, 2007
• Type: Christmas, Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Relient K's holiday album is culled from two different sources; seven tracks are new recordings, while the album's bulk is taken from a previous release, 2003's Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hands. Accordingly, listeners are treated to two different sounds -- the straight-ahead pop/punk of the band's early years, and the slick sounds of their post-Capitol debut. One can only assume that Let It Snow Baby...Let it Reindeer is geared toward existing fans only, many of whom already own 60-percent of this album. Still, it's still nice to hear the difference a few years can make, as Relient K has aged rather quickly (and rather well) since the group's previous Christmas offering. Occupying the spotlight is Matt Thiessen, who sings the pre-existing carols with the same snot-nosed bravado as countless other acts but tackles the newer cuts with an improved range and delivery. Having climbed into the upper echelon of punk bandleaders in recent years, Thiessen is now a responsible frontman, flipping into his falsetto during "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and helming a surprisingly catchy rendition of "Sleigh Ride." The latter song also features a slew of varied tempos and textures, two important stipulations for creating an engaging Christmas album. We've heard these songs before, often to an incalculable extent, so Relient K's unique renditions are as gratifying as they are slickly produced. Don't expect Let It Snow Baby to pack the same holiday punch as The Beach Boys' Christmas Album (although "Auld Lang Syne" does feature some spot-on a cappella), but rather enjoy the record for what it unabashedly is: a solid record for returning fans, and a harmlessly appealing listen for everyone else. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Lyrics)		Relient K	(2:11)
Sleigh Ride (Lyrics)	Mitchell Parish, Leroy Anderson	Relient K	(3:32)
Merry Christmas, Here's to Many More (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:51)
Angels We Have Heard on High (Lyrics)		Relient K	(1:55)
Deck the Halls (Lyrics)		Relient K	(1:21)
12 Days of Christmas (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:33)
Silent Night/Away in a Manger (Lyrics)		Relient K	(2:18)
I Celebrate the Day (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:17)
In Like a Lion (Always Winter)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:44)
I'm Getting Nuttin' for Christmas (Lyrics)		Relient K	(1:39)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(2:12)
Santa Claus Is Thumbing to Town (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(2:44)
Handel's Messiah (Lyrics)		Relient K	(1:09)
I Hate Christmas Parties (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(4:36)
Boxing Day (Lyrics)	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:38)
Auld Lang Syne (Lyrics)		Relient K	(2:58)
[Untitled]	Matthew Thiessen	Relient K	(3:17)

Credits

Matthew Hoopes (Guitar), Jaime Feldman (A&R), Matthew Thiessen (Arranger), Kevin Spellman (Management), Matthew Thiessen (Vocals), Davy Baysinger (Art Direction), Matthew Thiessen (Guitar), Matthew Thiessen (Keyboards), Matthew Thiessen (Group Member), Jonathan Schneck (Group Member), J.R. McNeely (Mixing), Davy Baysinger (Illustrations), Jordan Feldstein (Management), John Warne (Group Member), Matthew Thiessen (Piano), Ted Jensen (Mastering), Matthew Hoopes (Group Member), Brian Pittman (Group Member), Jonathan Schneck (Guitar), John Warne (Bass), Matthew Thiessen (Producer), Brian Pittman (Bass)