Molly Burch // The Molly Burch Christmas Album

Captured Tracks

In one of the most heartfelt holiday releases in recent memory, Austin songwriter Molly Burch has captured the spirit of warm December nights. The genuineness of this recording shines through, with moments of fun, tenderness, and intimacy permeating the record. What's strange is that this is only Burch's third full-length effort to date. While Christmas albums are generally reserved as a late-career cash grab (see this year's Chicago Christmas or the Oak Ridge Boys' Down Home Christmas), Burch's early foray into seasonal tidings seems to give the listener a clue at her nobler intentions while she's at the top of her game. With its echoing steel guitars and sauntering pace, this is the perfect companion piece for fans of She & Him seeking something a little more original and effective. Featuring a mix of standards, lesser-known favorites (Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas," ABBA's "Happy New Year," and a playful take on Wham's "Last Christmas" with comedians John Early and Kate Berlant), and two originals ("New Year Love" and "Holiday Dreaming"), these twelve songs are a comforting mix to take you through the holidays.

— Nick Warren