What makes Holiday Spirits by Straight No Chaser notable?

This album became a holiday staple, topping the Billboard Holiday Albums chart and achieving widespread popularity during the Christmas season. Its unique arrangements and vocal harmonies helped revitalize interest in a cappella music, influencing other vocal groups and setting a trend for holiday albums. Holiday Spirits marked Straight No Chaser's return to the music scene as their first full-length studio album after their viral success on YouTube in 2007. The album came at a time when they were transitioning from performing primarily at live events to mainstream recorded music, solidifying their presence in the a cappella genre.

How many songs are on Holiday Spirits?

Holiday Spirits has 14 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Holiday Spirits

Straight No Chaser · 2008

43 min · 14 tracks · a cappella

Joyful a cappella harmonies breathe new life into classic holiday tunes, blending nostalgia with contemporary flair.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Christmas Song — This track stands out due to its warm, rich harmonies and heartfelt arrangement that evoke a sense of nostalgia for the holiday spirit.
→
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) — The group's lively rendition infuses this classic with fresh energy, showcasing their vocal range and ability to reinterpret well-known songs.
→
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High — This medley highlights the group's intricate harmonies and dynamic vocal interplay, making it a standout example of their musical craftsmanship.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album revitalizes holiday classics with unique arrangements and strong vocal performances, making it a seasonal favorite.

What we noticed

The album features intricate vocal arrangements where each track showcases a different combination of harmonies and lead vocals.
Several tracks incorporate playful interjections and spoken word elements, adding a contemporary twist to traditional holiday songs.
The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a brisk tempo while others slow down for more reflective moments.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Silent Night

The arrangement shifts from soft verses to powerful harmonies creates a profound emotional impact as it evokes peace and reflection.

This dynamic contrast elevates the traditional melody, showcasing the ensemble's ability to blend delicate tones with impactful crescendos.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2:37
2 Jingle Bell Rock 2:06
3 The Christmas Song 3:14
4 This Christmas 3:01
5 Christmas Wish 3:46
6 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard on High 4:19
7 Little Saint Nick 2:14
8 The 12 Days of Christmas (Live) 3:43
9 Indiana Christmas 3:25
10 Sweet Little Jesus Boy 3:16
11 Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 3:12
12 Carol of The Bells 2:13
13 Silent Night 3:34
14 Auld Lang Syne 2:35

What to play next

Listen next

Christmas Cheers

2009

Go back to

Another Round

2006

Full Straight No Chaser discography Artists like Straight No Chaser

a cappella

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata