VANESSA CARLTON takes a guitar-driven indie-rock approach to a pair of Holiday classics included on the release of her HEAR THE BELLS EP (out now via Razor & Tie). Do You Hear What I Hear? and her rendition of JOHN LENNON’s Happy Xmas (War is Over) take their place in-between acoustic re-imaginings of the title track, Hear the Bells (originally from her recent RABBITS ON THE RUN album) and her breakthrough hit A Thousand Miles.
While the latter track gives new life to Carlton’s nearly-decade-old hit, it’s the Christmas songs that make the collection. With accompaniment by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, Carlton makes even a pair of seasonal staples sound new again.
Rating: 4/5 Stars