Following the contrastingly animated
We Need a Little Christmas
by a year, the a cappella group's generally warm and tender fifth seasonal album,
Evergreen
, sees
Pentatonix
cover 13 varied selections alongside one original, an acoustic guitar-accompanied title track that pays tribute to mothers. Among the more traditional entries here are "I Saw Three Ships" and a risk-taking, melody-altering "Over the River," which features violinist
Lindsey Stirling
. Another noteworthy guest,
Alessia Cara
, appears on a sweet, straightforward version of "Frosty the Snowman." Other songs from the jazz and vocal eras include "Home for the Holidays" and a version of
Jule Styne
and
Sammy Cahn
's "It's Been a Long, Long Time." Elsewhere, rock era representatives include
Paul McCartney
's perky "Wonderful Christmastime" and
Joni Mitchell
's heartbroken "River" as well as more-surprising inclusions like the affection-themed, non-holiday songs "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and "My Heart with You," a loyal, rhythm section-free cover of the 2008
Rescues
tune. The set closes with a truly a cappella edition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that sets the tone for caroling. ~ Marcy Donelson