Weatherstar is a band consisting of one Cameron Walker (the band swells in number when it hit’s the live circuit) who started Weatherstar in 2009. The latest release from Walker is this Christmas (mostly) cover album that combines acoustic guitar with some subtle elements mostly far off in the background, and of course, Walker’s vocals. So how is it you ask?

Let me first start off by saying that Walker’s vocal style is nothing revolutionary. It’s the usual cutesy playful stuff that has been coming out of the emo sector for the past few years. Also, there are times on the album that Walker’s vocal strength wanes a bit. After all that though it’s still not to bad an album. Once you’ve surpassed the A Silent Night Interlude, a mostly instrumental tune with a tad bit of vocals tagged on at the end, you find a cover of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). That whole, vocal delivery isn’t at its strongest thing, you get a little taste of it here. His “please” is a bit nasally and at times you get a few breaks in his voice. Oddly enough the track works and the inconsistencies only make it seem all the more sincere, if that makes sense.

Up next is a really decent cover version of Blink 182’s I Wont Be Home For Christmas. Kudo’s for including at least one song on the album that plays to the anti-Christmas crowd, with humor (it’s Blink 182 so of course). Walker manages to make this track his own and is my second favorite off the album.

Not sure if this is a cover or not but up next is Its Not Christmas Without You Here. This has to be the stand out song on the album. Vocal strength is spot on, delivery is smooth (aside from a few nasally interruptions surrounding the word Baby), and that acoustic sound really offers up an added element to the songs overall emotion. My favorite off the album.

A cover of Train’s Shake Up Christmas follows. I wasn’t really a fan of this one simply because it follows too closely to the original. The Blink cover seemed to be natural with its own pace but this one follows the original a little too close. Still a great song but if you’re looking for a cover that offers up a new spin on an old favorite I wouldn’t suggest.

The last two songs on the album are your usual Christmas staples; Silver Bells and White Christmas. Walker does a great job with these but I was just a little disappointed that he went with traditional tunes to close the album out. I guess marketing and what not. Overall I thought the album was mostly well done and is a great alternative to the usual dated Christmas tunes they have going out on the radio these days. Well worth looking into if you want some Christmas music that steps outside of the usual boundaries. As always final judgment is yours. Enjoy.