ALBUM REVIEW: WEATHERSTAR “CHRISTMAS MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER”

Weatherstar was formed in the summer of 2009 by singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Cameron Walker. Since then, Weatherstar has released three EP's, done national tours, performed at the Vans Warped Tour, has been recognized in Alternative Press Magazine as being buzz worthy, and has been featured on Purevolume's Top Unsigned list. The electro pop band is taking on Christmas this time, with some traditional popular Christmas songs and also with some not so traditional Christmas songs.

The album starts out quiet with one of the better slower songs on the album in, “It’s Not Christmas Without You Here.”

While “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” isn’t a terrible song, the overbearing shrills of Cameron’s voice is too much for me to take in certain parts.

Changing directions, Weatherstar does an astonishing job when he takes on the hysterical Blink 182 Christmas song “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas.”

This album could do without this uneventful 2 minute “A Silent Night Interlude” but, it picks right back up into spirit of the holidays with this drawn out rendition of “Silver Bells.”

“Shake Up Christmas” is the most upbeat song and definitely one of the better renditions on this album, possibly better than the original, done by Train for the Coco Cola Christmas commercial.

For anyone and everyone who grew up around snow during the holidays, “White Christmas “will always bring nostalgic feelings and glowing hearts forward. It’s sure a classic that will never grow old.

While he could have chosen more upbeat Christmas songs, and a little less shrilling, he did his best with the ones he did cover. Don’t forget to check him out on tour with The Ready Set, Plug In Stereo and Breathe Electric next month. Also performing on the Glamour Kills Holiday Festival with We Are The In Crowd, The Wonder Years, Fairweather, The Dangerous Summer, The Audition, Action Item, and more.

Upcoming tour dates:

12/13: Minneapolis, MN @ The Triple Rock *

12/14: Des Moines, IA @ The Vaudeville Mews *

12/15: Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club *

12/16: Indianapolis, IN @ The Emerson Theater *

12/17: Dekalb, IL @ The House Cafe *

12/18: Danbury, CT @ Tuxedo Junction ^

12/31: Middletown, CT @ Midnight on Main

* with The Ready Set, Plug In Stereo and Breathe Electric.

^ Glamour Kills Holiday Festival with We Are The In Crowd, The Wonder Years, Fairweather, The Dangerous Summer, The Audition, Action Item, and more

Best Tracks: Shake Up Christmas, I Won’t Be Home for Christmas, It's Not Christmas Without You Here

Rating: 6/10