On This Winter's Night

Part of Lady As appeal is how theyve mastered the quiet moments, sounding smooth even at their loudest. That aspect of their personality is absent on their 2012 holiday album On This Winters Night, about as big and bold a Christmas album as they come. Lady As approach is very modern, as they rely on secular standards from a variety of styles, copping Phil Spectors jingling, ornate Wall of Sound for Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), covering Donny Hathaways This Christmas, swinging with blaring horns on Blue Christmas, even taking the time to slow down Mariah Careys jubilant All I Want for Christmas Is You down to a soulful crawl. Everything, even the pretty harmonies on The First Noel, is given a high-gloss sheen, which doesnt make this an album for quiet snowy nights. This is a Christmas album for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a soundtrack for days of shopping, present-wrapping, and parties filled with good cheer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine