Something About Christmas Time, Rob Thomas (Atlantic)

The Matchbox Twenty singer is probably better known on his own these days, given his popularity as a solo artist and collaborator with Carlos Santana. For 2021, he pops out a full album of Christmas tuneage, and you should consider this more of a pop move than a rock move, given the smooth and sentimental music on offer. Longtime Christmas music mavens will recall his 2002 solo tune "A New York Christmas," and a newly recorded version of it is here, this time a more muted arrangement than the contemporary hit radio anthem treatment it received first time around. Rob further underlines his pop credentials by including a number of duets with name performers, two of which have an eye on country airplay: a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Believe in Santa Claus" with his recent tour-mate Abby Anderson, and "Santa Don't Come Here Anymore" with Brad Paisley. A gospel-inflected cover of Ray Charles' "That Spirit Of Christmas" features Bebe Winans, and Ingrid Michaelson steps up to sing Bryan Adams' "Christmas Time" with Rob. A sad "Doesn't Feel Like Christmas (Samy's Song)" is dedicated to his recently deceased dog, and a more uptempo, almost synth-pop "Small Town Christmas" helps balance out the sadness. Other tunes include "Save Some Christmas," "New Year's Day," and a cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." I could have stood more Matchbox Twenty and less contemporary hit radio in this, but you already knew that.