Merry Christmas with Love (CD)

Even though he didn't win Fox television's second go-round on American Idol, Clay Aiken has walked away from the experience victorious. Nothing proves that more than the release of his Christmas CD, Merry Christmas With Love, which debuted at number one on Billboard's Holiday Albums chart.

There are plenty of reasons for fans to love Aiken, and on this holiday effort, he gives them a dozen more.

As the follow-up to Aiken's triple-platinum debut, this album combines some of his personal favorites with must-hear Christmas classics. Clay opens up the album with standards, beginning with the seasonal "O Holy Night." While there aren't many new things that can be done with songs this tried and true, Aiken's delicate tenor wraps around the words of this song and makes it a treat for the ears. He is, of course, at his best on the final chorus, when he is allowed to unleash his surprisingly powerful voice and showcase the full strength of his musical range.

He runs through a handful of classics, including "Sleigh Ride," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," contributing his own flair to each arrangement. Aiken knows what fans want -- they want to hear the songs they've come to love through the years, but want nuances of his own style and personality to shine through. His rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is sung like a postcard to each and every one of his fans, and he delivers it with a sort of heartfelt endearment that makes it sound personal and genuine.

Aiken also serves up a medley of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful" and it makes for a wonderful combination and provides an extra bit of flavor to both songs.

"The Christmas Song" -- which also is known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" -- has been recorded countless times since it was composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. Aiken adds his own bit of holiday seasoning to this standard, giving it the proper romantic inflection to conjure up visions of a cozy Christmas celebration.

Some of Aiken's own personal selections for this disc make it truly stand out from the glut of other holiday discs. He offers up a beautiful and touching rendition of Sandy Patti's "Merry Christmas With Love." This is a song that deserves much more attention than it has received, and its touching message about those who are left alone for the holidays is worth listening to year-round.

Aiken wraps up this holiday effort with "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?," a gorgeous and charming way to set the tone for the new year. The song is a hopeful invitation to a blossoming love; he is hopeful they'll start the new year together, but is almost too timid to ask.

Clay Aiken has been called the next Barry Manilow, and while he doesn't have Manilow's piano prowess, he certainly has all the other ingredients. This is one Christmas gift that has come early, and will continue to give all season long.

By Paula Felps