Acoustic Hearts of Winter
| Acoustic Hearts of Winter | ||||
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Conway Studios (Hollywood, California)
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| Length | 29:40 | |||
| Label | Hollywood | |||
| Producer |
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| Aly & AJ chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Acoustic Hearts of Winter | ||||
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Acoustic Hearts of Winter is a
Christmas carols or contemporary classics. Two originals appear on the set, which were written by Aly & AJ with Armato and James. Musically, the album has an instrument-driven acoustic feel, primarily by guitar. It utilizes pop music influences on Christmas music. The album sold 110,000 copies in the United States.[1]
The album received generally positive reviews, with critics complimenting the lyrical content of the original songs and the overall sound. Acoustic Hearts of Winter debuted on the US
Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade
. In 2007, the album was re-released with three new traditional cover songs.
Background
During the summer of 2006, after wrapping up the production and recording of their debut album, Saginaw News that producers Armato and James filled the studio with Christmas decorations, Christmas cookies, and a tree with gifts to open after they were done, in order for them to get in the Christmas spirit.[2]
Composition
Acoustic Hearts of Winter is musically based on
Vaughan Monroe.[4]
The album's opening number "
Not This Year" is a reflection about past Christmases, and how the current is different. According to the duo, the song is dedicated to their grandmother Carmen, who died on Christmas Eve a few years previous.[4] On the 2007 edition of the album exclusively available at retailer Target, the traditionals "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland" were bonus tracks, as well as "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", originally performed by Brenda Lee.[4]
Reception
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
Allmusic |   [3] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [5] |
| Tampa Bay Times | C+[6] |
Matt Collar of
Allmusic complimented the classic Christmas songs composed in a "light, contemporary pop fashion," noting Aly & AJ's original songs as standouts on the album.[3] Logan Leasure of Jesus Freak Hideout commended Aly & AJ's "powerhouse" vocals on the tracks, but said carols such as "The First Noel" and "Deck the Halls" were a bit boring, due to the acoustic feel of the set.[5] Overall, Leasure said "This album has its good share of standout tracks that are sure to satisfy any fan of modern Christmas music."[5] He specifically pointed out "Little Drummer Boy" and the impressive lyrical content of "Not This Year.[5] Tampa Bay Times critic Sean Daly praised the duo's original songs, on which they "ditch the wispy routine".[6] On the other hand, he viewed the rest of the album as "flat and forgettable".[6]
Chart performance
On the chart dated November 25, 2006, nearly two months after initial release, Acoustic Hearts of Winter debuted at number 114 on the
Top Holiday Albums chart, on the chart issued November 25, 2006, the album debuted at number 20.[10] A week later, it moved up to number 14, where it peaked, and spent 14 weeks on the chart.[11] Acoustic Hearts of Winter was the second best-selling Holiday album of the 2006 holiday season.[2] During the 2007 and 2008 holiday seasons, the album re-entered the Holiday Albums chart at 45 and 28, respectively.[11] The album had sold 110,000 copies in the United States to date.[1]
Promotion
"
Hot Digital Songs chart,[15] "Greatest Time of Year" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] Additionally, it peaked at number 72 on the Pop 100.[17]
Two music videos were developed for the song, one that is intercut with scenes from the film, and a second, which solely features the sisters.
The duo performed the "Greatest Time of Year" live on The Best of Both Worlds Tour.[20] Also in 2007, the album was re-released as a deluxe edition by Target, and included covers of the traditional Christmas song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as well as "Winter Wonderland" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."[21] Variations of "Greatest Time of Year" are also included on the Walt Disney Records compilation albums Disney Channel Holiday (2007), and All Wrapped Up (2008).[22][23]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | " Not This Year " |
| 3:24 |
| Total length: | 29:46 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" | Traditional | 1:22 |
| 13. | "Winter Wonderland" | Richard B. Smith | 2:43 |
| 14. | "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" | Johnny Marks | 2:05 |
| Total length: | 35:56 | ||
- ^[a] writer credited as Traditional
Personnel
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[4]
- Aly Michalka – vocals
- AJ Michalka – vocals
- Wurlitzer electric piano(2-9)
- Tim Pierce – guitars
- Dean Parks – guitars (2-9)
- Sean Hurley – bass
- Dorian Crozier – drums (1, 10, 11)
- Luis Conte – percussion (2-9)
- Bob Zimmitti – vibraphone (8)
- Cameron Stone – cello (3-6)
Production
- Carrie Michalka – executive production
- Gerry Cagle – executive production
- Jon Lind – A&R
- Antonina Armato – producer
- Tim James – producer, mixing
- Paul Palmer – mixing
- Ross Hogarth – engineer
- Nigel Lundemo – engineer
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering at Marcussen Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- Christi Parker – A&R coordinator
- David Snow – creative director
- Aly Michalka – butterfly logo trademark design
- Keith Munyon – photography
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[9] | 78 |
| US | 14 |
References
- ^ a b "Aly and AJ - Acoustic Hearts of Winter: review". Entertainment Africa. Archived from the original on 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-101-09832-5.
- ^ Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Aly & AJ Acoustic Hearts of Winter (Liner notes) Hollywood. (2006).
- ^ a b c d Leasure, Logan (2006-12-12). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Aly & AJ, "Acoustic Hearts of Winter" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ a b c Daly, Sean (2006-11-23). "Pop: Download this, Santa". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
- ^ "Top 200 Albums | Billboard 200 chart". Billboard. November 25, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Top 200 Albums | Billboard 200 chart". Billboard. December 2, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "Aly AJ Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Top Holiday Albums : Page 1". Billboard. November 25, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2020.(subscription required)
- ^ a b c "Aly AJ Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ Orzeck, Kurt (2006-09-26). "New Releases: Ludacris, Janet Jackson, Aly & AJ, Mewithoutyou, Scissor Sisters, My Morning Jacket & More". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Release: Greatest Time of Year - MusicBrainz". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Greatest Time Of Year Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Greatest Time Of Year Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. December 9, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Aly & AJ | Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Christmas Special: The Dan Band, Aly & Aj". CD USA. Season 1. Episode 49.
- Disney.com. Disney. 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ "Aly & AJ Writing New Songs, Plot Films". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ a b "Aly & AJ - Acoustic Hearts of Winter". ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
External links
