Glee: The Music - The Christmas Album, Vol. 2 (CD)

Since Christmas is one of the most musically inclined holidays, it's no surprise that Glee is back with another set of festive songs. With so many collections of music under the Glee cast's collective belt -- nearly 20 at the time of this album's release -- listeners know what to expect, and Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, Vol. 2 delivers just that. Amber Riley's Mercedes sings a charming version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" that shows off her delicate high notes as well as her usual powerhouse style; as Santana, Naya Rivera -- one of the show's more underrated vocalists -- turns in a mischievous "Santa Baby"; and Chris Colfer's Kurt and Darren Criss' Blaine deliver a brassy, breezy "Let It Snow." The collection flags only when the songs get too overwrought (as on the album-closing version of "Do They Know It's Christmas") or too unfamiliar (as on "Extraordinary Merry Christmas"). Overall, though, Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, Vol. 2 will please Glee fans who are into the show enough to purchase these collections. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi