Consider, for instance,
Under the Mistletoe (Island), the
latest album by Justin Bieber. Even leaving aside the fact that it's a
paternity suit and not a festive sprig currently hanging over the
17-year-old singer's head, the music is about as likely to inspire
holiday cheer as a gallon of eggnog past its expiration date.
In fact, it's so aurally gimmick-laden and self-consciously trendy,
from the mood-ruining cameo raps (Usher on "The Christmas Song," Busta
Rhymes on "Little Drummer Boy") to Bieber's own preciously breathy,
Auto-Tuned vocals, that in some ways it already sounds dated.
Arsenio Orteza
