Christmas
44 min · 10 tracks · soul
Rich, soulful interpretations of holiday classics blend with heartfelt original compositions, embodying warmth and festive spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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This Christmas Start here — This track's soulful arrangement and Mills' powerful vocal delivery have made it a timeless classic that resonates with audiences every holiday season.
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Silent Night — Mills transforms this traditional carol with her emotive phrasing and rich vocal textures, offering a fresh yet reverent take on the beloved song.
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Jingle Baby — With its upbeat tempo and playful lyrics, this original song captures the joy and excitement of the holiday season while highlighting Mills' versatility as an artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and arrangements but lacks standout original compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a soulful rendition of 'This Christmas', setting a warm, inviting tone that continues through the first half.
- Tracks 2 to 4 feature lush arrangements with prominent strings and backing vocals that enhance Mills' lead performance.
- The tempo slows significantly on 'Silent Night', creating a stark contrast with the preceding tracks and altering the album's momentum.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for holiday gatherings
- warm nostalgia during family time
- joyful sing-alongs with friends
- uplifting spirit of the season
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
- want experimental holiday sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — This album introduces Stephanie Mills' sound and is accessible for new listeners.
- Themes
- holiday warmth· soulful celebration· festive nostalgia
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Christmas marked Stephanie Mills' return to the music scene after a series of successful albums during the 1980s. At this point, she was seeking to reinvent her musical identity while exploring themes of love and celebration through holiday music. This album, her first Christmas-themed release, showcased her powerful vocal range and emotional depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Patti LaBelle· Chaka Khan· Anita Baker
Tracklist
- 1 This Christmas Start here 4:50
- 2 It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas (Without You) 4:12
- 3 We Can Move Mountains 4:20
- 4 Merry Christmas 4:00
- 5 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4:34
- 6 Silent Night 5:16
- 7 Christmas With You 4:58
- 8 Love Is to Listen 4:23
- 9 White Christmas 4:08
- 10 Jingle Baby 4:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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