Her performance of the song ""I Dreamed a Dream,""
from Les Miserables, moved the crowd to tears, and at that moment
Boyle's quaint little life was turned on its ugly head. Within
days, her performance had gone viral on YouTube and she's been in
the spotlight, at least to some degree, ever since.
Her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, was comprised mostly
of covers and Christian hymns, and achieved remarkable commercial
success upon its release last November. The Gift, Boyle's
latest endeavor, doesn't stray far from the formula of its
predecessor with predominantly Christian, unoriginal material.
The Gift kicks off with ""Perfect Day,"" a song originally
written and performed by the legendary Lou Reed. The tempo of her
rendition is about the same as the original, but Boyle adds a
church-like twist with orchestral accompaniment and beautiful vocal
delivery.
The second track, ""Hallelujah,"" is undoubtedly the album
standout. Written by Leonard Cohen, ""Hallelujah"" opens with the
powerful lyrics, ""I heard there was a secret chord / That David
played and it saved the Lord /
But you don't really care for music do you."" Accompanied by only a
piano, stringed instruments and a back-up chorus for the song's
refrain, Boyle strips the song down to its core. Much like the
popular Jeff Buckley rendition, this song is driven by Boyle's
vocals and stands as proof that her success is anything but a
fluke.
Her interpretations of classic Christmas songs such as ""O Holy
Night,"" ""Away In a Manger"" and ""Do You Hear What I Hear"" are
slow and melodic, with a clear emphasis on her vocals. And while
these songs are definitely enjoyable, fans looking for a more
creative approach to Christmas music—such as the one
Jimmy Buffett took on Christmas Island— should look
elsewhere. And even if The Gift finds Boyle straying from
traditional arrangements at times, she sticks to the basics for the
most part.
The album concludes with an a cappella version of ""O Come All Ye
Faithful,"" a track that features solely Boyle's voice and a
backing choir. Favoring light arrangements and an easy-listening
vibe, this song—and the entire album—is one to be listened to
during the holiday season while sipping on some cider.
The Gift is a Christmas album that can definitely be
enjoyed by mass audiences, with Boyle proving once again that she
can sing hymnals and folk songs very well. Unfortunately, the
listener is left wondering what she can do beyond those contexts.
Whether or not Boyle can provide anything beyond cover albums—and
whether or not her career will ever reach the point it did with her
""Britain's Got Talent"" appearance—remains to be seen. But
ultimately, the fact that she's had this opportunity in the music
world is a gift in and of itself.
