Merry Christmas II You

1. Turine

   Nov 6, 2010

   10

   Mariah's covers on Christmas classics are nice and different from the originals. What's more notable, is her original song ''Oh Santa!''. TheMariah's covers on Christmas classics are nice and different from the originals. What's more notable, is her original song ''Oh Santa!''. The song has a catchy and upbeat tune which makes people want to keep listening to it. The album's best gift, though, is Mariah's duet with her mother, Patricia Carey, in the song ''Oh Come All Ye' Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus''. Her mother's vocals are nice and it is nice seeing her in Mariah's songs. Not to forget all of Mariah's falsettos and whistle registers in the song towards the end.
   ''All I want for Christmas is You'' is, needless to say, a timeless classic. Mariah just made it better by adding in some falsettos and whistle registers here and there, and I think that this is a better version than the 1994 version. ''Auld Lang Syne - The New Year's Anthem'' is a catchy song with its dance beat.
   ''One Child'' is, probably, the nicest song on the album, save ''All I want for Christmas is You''. The song talks about God and the lyrics are nice and meaningful. The choir during the chorus is extremely organized and is one of the nicest choir singings I have heard. Overall, this album deserves a 10/10 rating, despite some songs which may have been sang in the incorrect style. But, the good points of this album can cover up for the minor little bits that are mistakes.… Expand

   • 5 of 6 users found this helpful
2. Fidelove

   Mar 31, 2012

   10

   Mariah's covers on Christmas classics are nice and different from the originals. What's more notable, is her original song ''Oh Santa!''. TheMariah's covers on Christmas classics are nice and different from the originals. What's more notable, is her original song ''Oh Santa!''. The song has a catchy and upbeat tune which makes people want to keep listening to it. The album's best gift, though, is Mariah's duet with her mother, Patricia Carey, in the song ''Oh Come All Ye' Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus''. Her mother's vocals are â… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
4. KarenCarey

   May 24, 2016

   10

   Outra perfeição natalina feita pela Mariah, tão bom quanto o primeiro!!! Os vocais estão perfeitos e se encaixam direitinho as músicasOutra perfeição natalina feita pela Mariah, tão bom quanto o primeiro!!! Os vocais estão perfeitos e se encaixam direitinho as músicas gravadas nesse álbum, a verdadeira rainha do natal, as melodias os corais gospeis, tudo lindo neste CD que amo muito!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. Skyblue93

   Jan 30, 2012

   10

   The album see Mariah return to form. It makes you feel warm because of the beautiful lush production throughout the album. Mariah's cover ofThe album see Mariah return to form. It makes you feel warm because of the beautiful lush production throughout the album. Mariah's cover of classics are great, but the originals of the album that really stands out. "Christmas in the Air Again" feels like old Christmas classic, while "When Christmas Comes" takes more of a R&B and Soul approach which is wonderfully done. Her Voice is powerful and strong on the album. Inclusion, an as lush and cozy as this could only be done by the one and only Mariah Carey.… Expand

   • 2 of 4 users found this helpful
6. HeatSeeker

   Jun 25, 2012

   9

   After many years of sticking to the R&B route for her albums, Mariah Carey proves she can still rule adult contemporary with this satisfyingAfter many years of sticking to the R&B route for her albums, Mariah Carey proves she can still rule adult contemporary with this satisfying sequel to her 1994 classic "Merry Christmas". Cleverly titled "Merry Christmas II You" and released in 2010, the album sees Mariah covering many holiday standards, and, in typical Mariah fashion, delivering a few originals. The album kicks off with the up-tempo "Oh Santa!", which, thematically, is pretty much the sister to "All I Want for Christmas is You", her holiday perennial. But "Santa" offers an irresistible charm of its own, bouncing playfully from beginning to end with the aid of cheerleaders, chimes, whistle notes, and an attitude that feels more cheery and hopeful than that of its '94 counterpart. But then Mariah takes us to the fireplace with the light and dreamy "O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy", fluctuating between soft, creamy singing and vocal dynamics that show Mariah sounding better than she has in years. Produced by Broadway composer Marc Shaiman, the next track - "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" lifts us into a holiday waltz. We haven't heard Mariah sound this classy since the 1990s, yet she sounds as natural and inviting as if she'd been singing like this for the past decade. Keeping in the same relaxed, dreamy state, Mariah serenades us with another medley, this time "The First Noel/Born Is the King". The first part of the medley is arranged in traditional fashion, before seamlessly transitioning into the latter, R&B-driven "King". After soothing us with those three laid-back jingles, MC brings it home with "When Christmas Comes", a song that sounds instantly like a classic. The jazzy verses entice you to sway side to side before elevating into a fully-belted out-pour of choral magic. Of course, it can't be a Mariah Carey album if there's not a song that makes you want to shake your thang, even on a Christmas album. Mariah hits the dance floor with "Here Comes Santa Claus / Housetop Celebration", but instead of imagining a club, you totally get the feeling that it's the night before Christmas and you're partying around the house with your family and friends, and the warm, festive feelings set in.
   
   Perhaps the only flaw in the album is the next track, Mariah's attempt at "Charlie Brown Christmas". There's nothing glaringly wrong with the song, but it feels incomplete, still in its demo version, and Mariah's singing somehow doesn't quite connect like in the other songs. That, and Mariah's decision to include a live recording of "O Holy Night" from a decade prior, which doesn't really add anything to the original version that is worth listening to.
   
   Partly inspired by her pregnancy while recording the album, Mariah gets back to top form in the album's final new original, the made-for-children's-Christmas-performances "One Child". Elegantly sung, MC takes us to the true meaning of Christmas, telling the story and the impact of baby Jesus, but perhaps also indicating that her offspring will one day rule the world, so watch out.
   
   How can you make a classic even better? Instead of tempering with the song itself, add a new beginning and ending and blend them effortlessly with the original. That's exactly the approach Mariah took with her new recording of "All I Want for Christmas", the penultimate track on the album. Shaiman is back, sprinkling his Broadway magic in a new instrumental introduction that kicks off the song from a new and equally exciting launch point. Mariah's singing then takes us onto a familiar but fresh-as-ever ride, sounding almost exactly the same as the original version except for layered vocals here and there. Mariah extends the ending of the song in this version, however it's a shame she didn't include the ending whistle notes she did in the 2011 version with Bieber (although that was the only good part about that duet).
   
   Suddenly and effortlessly, Mariah's voice roars out of her chest in the final track "Auld Lang Syne", as if she's signaling the closure of a good show. Then it disappears behind a dance beat from the 90's and repeat background singing of the chorus. The song's carefree atmosphere is emphasized by Mariah stopping her singing to tease her listeners, saying "does anybody really know the words?" and laughing. Her first Christmas album, 1994's "Merry Christmas", may have spawned a classic, contained better vocals, and certainly the best songs on that album outweigh the best songs on this one -- still, "II You" is a stronger album overall, with all but two or three songs being constructed beautifully, sung passionately, and most importantly, evoking the emotional highs that are unique to the holiday season. It's also a testament to Mariah's artistry that her originals sound as good as the classics she covered.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
7. samueell

   Mar 22, 2021

   6

   In comparison with Carey's first Christmas album, this one sounds very dated and shows none upgrade after sixteen years since its release, andIn comparison with Carey's first Christmas album, this one sounds very dated and shows none upgrade after sixteen years since its release, and the inclusion of this one as one of her studio albums just make things more complicated.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Mariofan

   Feb 21, 2015

   0

   Worst piece of crap ever! Mariah Carey sucks with Justin Bieber. All her songs are crap! They should do what they did with that horrible E.T.Worst piece of crap ever! Mariah Carey sucks with Justin Bieber. All her songs are crap! They should do what they did with that horrible E.T. game and bury all copies in the New Mexico Desert. Avoid it at ALL COSTS!… Expand

   • 2 of 6 users found this helpful

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