This Christmas

98 Degrees

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000021XQ2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,612 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Attention teenage girls: As vocal guy bands go, 98 Degrees sing and snap their fingers with the best in contemporary pop. And while This Christmas is not as engaging or musically adventurous as other holiday albums from vocal tour de forces such as the Persuasions, Take 6, or the Blenders, it is a respectable, if predictable, seasonal effort targeted to their teen audience, chock full of standards and three radio-friendly originals. Those include two versions of "This Gift," a Christmas version that merely adds some sleigh bells and a pop version, sans bells. Their a cappella reading of "Ave Maria" shines above all else, with soaring four-part harmonies in a stirring, awesome arrangement. But just when you think these adolescent heartthrobs have climbed the stairway to heaven, they follow up "Maria" with that cliché-riddled lyrical and musical toss off called "This Gift" (the pop version). Talk about not having your (sequencing) priorities straight. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing, Magical, and simply Marvelous!, December 17, 1999

By	Kirsten (Los Angles, CA) - See all my reviews

I loved this CD from the first time I heard it, when I got it 4 days before it even officially came out, and up to now. I loved the jazzy, romantic, and Motown feel of the entire album. Each and every song in the album makes you warm all over and puts you in a bright, yet spiritual, Christmas mood. The songs have great harmony, great musical instruments, great arrangements, and great voices.

My personal favorites, although I really love all of them, are: "Ave Maria" -- acapella at its finest, not to mention that this was done in Latin! "Little Drummer Boy" -- I never liked this song until I heard this version. Drew and Jeff gave the song the romance and jazz feel that it needs to be enjoyed. "If Everyday Could Be Christmas" -- Wow! A 98 Degrees original that is sure to become an instant classic. "Oh Holy Night" -- Jeff's high, expressive voice is simply perfect for this very solemn, spiritual song. It almost felt like he was reaching up to heaven while he was recording his verses. "Christmas Wish" -- a poppy Christmas treat that one can groove to; a special treat for those loyal 98 Degrees fans because Jeff co-wrote this with his best friend, Matt Fechter.

98 Degrees has simply created their best album to date with this one. It's a Christmas album that has something for the young and old at heart. The classics were treated with such spirituality, yet so romantic. The originals, which are the poppier songs, stayed consistent with the album by having the same great harmony and vocal style that has become 98 Degrees' trademark.

If there was ever any doubt before that 98 Degrees doesn't belong in that boyband category, then this is it. With this album, they have put themselves in a much higher category level, which in my opinion belongs only to respectable groups such as Boyz II Men, Take 6, now 98 Degrees, and other Motown/R&B greats. Motown is still very much alive in 98 Degrees.

I truly commend 98 Degrees for their vision in creating such a mature, wholesome, spiritual, and respectable album. When everyone else is just trying to make albums that will sell millions, they have chosen to make one which will not only accomplish that, but also has a great possibility of becoming a classic, instead of a fad. With "This Christmas", 98 Degrees has given us a great Christmas gift to enjoy everyday of the year.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 98 Degrees just keep on getting hotter, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

I love 'This Christmas' it is one of the best Christmas albums ever. The soulful harmonies of the guys touches your heart in such an indescribable way. 'This Gift' is such a beautiful song. I totally love this album. 98 Degrees rocks and they will and always continue singing cool songs such as those on 'This Christmas'. I recommend that you buy this cd. It's worth it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 98 Degrees Can Heat Up Any Christmas, December 6, 1999

By	Jacci (Florida) - See all my reviews

Before I even bought this album, I'd already heard two song from it. I saw 98 Degrees in concert a few weeks ago and they performed their single "This Gift" for the first time. And over the past couple of weeks the song has been popping up everywhere. I also heard "Chesnuts..." on the radio, the day I bought the CD. I didn't know who was singing, and to tell you the truth, while my mom and I circled the busy mall and listened to the 98 Degrees version of the song, we laughed. When I got the album home and played it, I was a little surprised to find out that the song I was laughing at earlier that day was actually sung by one of my favorite groups. I think it was Justin's deep voiced solo that spun me around. But after the third or fourth time I listened to the song, I could help but be addicted to the jazzy way it was all brought together. The whole album, as a matter of fact, is full of jazz and good vocals, and that's what's keeping it spinning in my CD player. The fact that Drew sings the entirety of one of my favorite Christmas songs ("Little Drummer Boy"), makes my Christams a little brighter, because his voice is mezmoring and full. Besides "Little Drummer Boy", my personal favorites are "Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Silent Night" and "If Every Day Could Be Christams". You can't listen to that song without envisioning New York in winter, and I've never even been to New York. I'd have to say my overall favorite on the album though, is "Oh Holy Night". Though not as creative or vocal challenging as NSync's version, it's just a great song, and 98 Degrees pulled over a terrific version (Jeff and that high note! Good lord!). I can't tell the difference between the two diffrent versions of "This Gift", so I think it was a little unnessicary to put it on twice, but it's a good song, and a great album all together. This CD will be in my CD player all year, along with NSync's "Home For Christmas", which I feel is a stronger album then "98 Degrees This Christmas", but are both worth of the neverending spin of the CD changer. I wanted to give this album 4 1/2 stars, but since we can't give halfs, I went along and gave it a 5 anyway. If you buy this CD, you will not be disappointed. It's beautiful, and gets you in the mood for Christmas. I recomend it highly.