Released 12 years ago this October
Holiday Wishes
Idina Menzel · 2014
55 min · 14 tracks · pop music
A lush blend of classic holiday tunes rendered with Idina Menzel's powerful vocals and heartfelt interpretations.
Top tracks — play these first
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Baby It’s Cold Outside (Duet with Michael Bublé) — This track features a playful chemistry between Menzel and Bublé, elevating the traditional duet format with their vocal interplay and charm.
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Menzel's rendition infuses emotional depth into this classic, showcasing her ability to convey nostalgia through her nuanced vocal delivery.
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All I Want for Christmas Is You — Her powerful interpretation of this modern holiday staple brings a fresh intensity to the song, demonstrating her vocal prowess and pop sensibility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Menzel's powerful vocals shine through well-crafted arrangements, making this a solid holiday album.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that enhance Menzel's vocal performances, particularly in tracks like 'The Christmas Song' and 'Silent Night'.
- Menzel's vocal delivery varies from powerful belting in 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' to softer, more intimate interpretations in 'December Prayer'.
- Several tracks utilize rich harmonies and layered backing vocals, creating a full sound that supports Menzel's lead.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- warm holiday gatherings ambiance
- nostalgic winter evenings together
- emotive vocal performances shine
- playful duets for celebration
- reflective moments by the fire
Maybe skip if you
- dislike traditional holiday music
- prefer high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Holiday Wishes came after Idina Menzel's breakout role in the film Frozen and her acclaimed Broadway career. This album marked her first foray into holiday music, capitalizing on her newfound mainstream fame from 'Let It Go'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lea Salonga· Kristin Chenoweth· Patti LuPone
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Do You Hear What I Hear 3:45
- 2 The Christmas Song 3:32
- 3 Baby It’s Cold Outside (Duet with Michael Bublé) 2:46
- 4 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 5:43
- 5 All I Want for Christmas Is You 5:13
- 6 What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? 4:37
- 7 December Prayer 4:50
- 8 When You Wish Upon a Star 3:00
- 9 Silent Night 4:30
- 10 River 4:02
- 11 Holly Jolly Christmas 2:27
- 12 White Christmas 4:12
- 13 Mother’s Spiritual 4:18
- 14 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow 2:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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