Music Review: Christmas Songs by Jars of Clay

Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Fun Christmas songs
Cons: Takes several listens to enjoy, never be a classic
The Bottom Line:
Christmas Jars style
Gives us some alt rock music
For a different feel




Jars of Clay Finally Sings Christmas Songs

Jars of Clay has wanted to release a Christmas CD for years, but their old label wouldn't let them. Frankly, I've been as frustrated as they have. I enjoyed their Christmas single, Drummer Boy, and loved their contribution to City on a Hill's Christmas release. So when the band went independent and announced their first release on their own label would be Christmas Songs, I was excited. For the most part it is good, but it isn't outstanding.

Sometimes artists switch up their normal sound when it comes time to do a Christmas project. Jars of Clay didn't do that. This release fits perfectly in their standard alternative rock format, which is interesting since on almost every song they get help from an orchestra of strings and woodwinds. That both works for them and against them. It gives the project a distinctive sound and feel that will please their many fans and stand out from the other Christmas CDs on the market. On the other hand, it will be a few years before it feels like a Christmas CD to me.

What helps make the project great are the original songs. There are five completely original tracks here (two of which are instrumental) and some rare ones as well as a new version of a classic.

The disc contains two instrumental tracks. Okay, both of the instrumental tracks contain a choir humming. But without words, the voice is really just another instrument in the tapestry. "The Gift of St. Cecilia" opens the project. It clocks in at just under a minute and a half. It starts with simple guitar picking but soon adds violin, bells, and the choir humming.

"Evergreen," the second instrumental song, comes later in the disc. It's a slow, contemplative track that combines the band's normal rock instruments with an orchestra of strings. It's contemplative and beautiful.

The first track with singing is a version of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime." I must admit that in my Christmas music collection, I don't have another copy of the song, so I have nothing to compare this version to. This ode to the fun of the season sounds great in the band's hand, however. I wouldn't say it's any different from their normal sound.

The three original songs some bunched together. "Hibernation Day" is a fun little duet with Christine Dente of Out of the Grey. It's got a bouncy, almost pop feel to it as the two sing about the pleasures of a day being snowed in with someone you love.

"Winter Skin" is almost impressionistic in nature. Much quieter, it has a piano base that the other instruments build around. The lyrics are simple, with just a few phrases repeated. "We put on our winter skin and watch the snow fall."

Finally, comes "Peace is Here." An upbeat rocker, the song contrasts the violence of man kind with the promise of peace that Jesus' birth brought.

There are a couple old songs I have never heard before. They include two songs based on poems by Christina Rossetti here. I have a couple versions of "In the Bleak Midwinter." Jars of Clay added to the song, and I like their version. I was completely unfamiliar with "Love Came Down at Christmas," however, but I really like it. It's got an infection beat and pretty melody. But I think my favorite part is the last few seconds where they include words from an old folk song "Children Go Where I Send Thee." I have the song on a rare Christmas record but didn't think anyone else even knew it.

The other old song I was unfamiliar with is "Gabriel's Message." Unsurprisingly for anyone familiar with the Christmas story, this song is about the announcement to Mary that she would bear Messiah. It's in a minor key with layered vocals.

The song that definitely caught my ear the first time through is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." This is a new take on the classic carol. It starts with a driving base. The melody is tweaked. You can still hear the classic tune in there occasionally, but most of it is new. It sounds great and really makes you pay attention to the familiar words.

I'm not sure why "Christmastime is Here" has become the must include song, but I've gotten several new versions of it in the last few years. For my money, there is no improving on the original version from A Charlie Brown Christmas, and this version doesn't change my mind. While the group tries to add some jazz to their usual mix, it just doesn't work with their electric instruments. This song starting with electric guitar? Really?

And yes, they include new versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Drummer Boy," the two songs from their original single years ago. I got the second version of that single, so I have never heard their version of "God Rest Ye," but I like this one. They've slowed this classic down just slightly. With the piano opener building to a driving chorus, this song becomes very haunting.

Fans of the original "Drummer Boy" will be glad to know that this new version sounds very similar. The differences are subtle like heavier base and more drumming, which means it is still a good version of the classic.

This most likely isn't a disc you'd pull out to listen to Christmas morning or while decorating the tree. At least I won't. But with the different take on classics and rarely heard songs, Christmas Songs is a disc to pull out and enjoy mid-December when everything else is beginning to blend together. And that's exactly what I plan to do.

CD Length: 49:33

Tracks:

1. The Gift of St. Cecilia

2. Wonderful Christmastime

3. Love Came Down at Christmas

4. O Little Town of Bethlehem

5. Hibernation Day

6. Winter Skin

7. Peace is Here

8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

9. Evergreen

10. Christmastime is Here

11. Drummer Boy

12. Gabriel's Message

13. In the Bleak Midwinter

14. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day