Oh Blue Christmas cover

Oh Blue Christmas

Alison Sudol · 2009

21 min · 6 tracks · pop music

A delicate blend of traditional holiday tunes wrapped in ethereal pop melodies and introspective lyrics.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Blue Christmas — Sudol's version transforms this classic into a hauntingly beautiful ballad that highlights her vocal prowess and emotional depth.
  • →
    Winter Wonderland — This track exemplifies Sudol's ability to infuse a lively arrangement with a whimsical touch while maintaining the song's nostalgic charm.
  • →
    Wish You Well — An original piece that stands out for its poignant lyrics and soothing melody, showcasing Sudol's songwriting capabilities beyond traditional covers.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100
Foothills
Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The EP combines classic holiday tunes with original songs, creating a cohesive and distinct sound.

What we noticed

  • The first track, 'Blue Christmas', features a slow tempo with layered vocal harmonies that set a haunting tone for the EP.
  • Tracks two and six incorporate traditional holiday melodies but are arranged with ethereal instrumentation, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
  • The EP includes original compositions like 'Redribbon Foxes' and 'Winter White', which blend seamlessly with the classic covers.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

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

  • gentle holiday nostalgia
  • intimate moments of reflection
  • cozy winter afternoon vibes
  • short bursts of warmth

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking upbeat party tracks
  • prefer longer immersive albums

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 1, 2009, Oh Blue Christmas marked Alison Sudol's first foray into holiday music following her debut album, which had showcased her unique pop sensibilities. At this point, Sudol was gaining recognition in the indie pop scene, expanding her artistic repertoire beyond her usual songwriting themes.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Blue Christmas 3:21
  • 2 Winter Wonderland 3:43
  • 3 Redribbon Foxes 5:02
  • 4 Winter White 2:55
  • 5 Wish You Well 3:54
  • 6 Christmas Time Is Here 2:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata