Stars: 5 out of 5Pros: Fun, worshipful Christmas music
Cons: A couple songs are only okay
The Bottom Line:
Many artists come
To worship Christmas at Christmas
On this fun CD
A Rock Offering at the Manger
When the worship craze hit Christian music a few years back, the artists on Essential Records got together and released City on a Hill, a collaborative worship collection. That release was so popular that it because the first of a four part series. One entry in the series was It's Christmas Time. This collection of original and traditional Christmas songs features rock arrangements and a Heavenly focus.
The disc opens with an instrumental version of the classic
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." It's only about 30 seconds
long, just enough for one verse. And it features, appropriately enough, bells.
It's just one note at a time, but it's a pretty way to start the disc.
Next up is "It's Christmas Time." Ironically
enough, the title track is my least favorite of the original songs. It just
seems less inspired then the others. This is a group song, and everyone on the
disc sings at some point on the song. Basically, it just says, "Worship
Christ at Christmas." Musically, it's got a nice blend of strings and
guitar, making it sound like a soft rock Christmas song.
The other new songs fair much better. My favorite is "Bethlehem Town
"Babe in the Straw" features Caedmon's Call. The
song starts off very guitar heavy, but incorporates strings and even an
accordion later in the song. The soft rock beat is catchy, and I love this song
of wonder at God's gift.
I'm not normally a fan of Sara Groves, but I like her
contribution here. "Child of Love" is a quiet lullaby that Mary might
have sung that first Christmas night. It's got almost an acoustic feel to it
with the guitar picking, flowing strings, and even a hint of flute.
For full out praise, look no further then Third Day's
contribution, "Manger Throne." Their Southern Rock comes through as
they lead us in praising Jesus. By the last verse, they've made the comparison
between the dirty manger and our hearts.
Also by the last verse, lead singer Mac Powell has been
joined by Julie Miller and Derri Daugherty. This track dissolves into the next
track, "Away in a Manger." While there's some rock to the
arrangement, the instrument you hear the most this time is horn, making for a
very traditional arrangement.
Of the traditional songs, my favorite is Out of Eden's take
on "Do You Hear What I Hear?" The ladies' voices soar and their
harmonies are tight.
I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed "O Holy
Night." While I love that carol, I'm not a big fan of Michael Tait or
Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer who have the vocals here. Yet it still
sounds great. It helps that they play it straight. Yes, it's got a rockier beat
then normal, but the strings help make it sound like a Christmas song.
My biggest complaint when I first bought the disc was that
the majority of the new songs were bunch together, which made it hard to see it
as a Christmas disc right away. Believe me, over the last five years, that
issue has gone away. All these songs now feel appropriate for the season to me.
I know rock music is very seldom associated with Christmas.
But if you enjoy soft rock and are looking for a Christ focused collection of
Christmas music, you need look no further then City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time.
CD Length: 40:46
Tracks:
1. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Instrumental)
2. It's Christmas Time - all artists
3. Silent Night - Sixpence None the Richer
4. Holy Emmanuel - Terry Scott Taylor
5. Babe in the Straw - Caedmon's Call
6. Child of Love - Sara Groves
7. Bethlehem
Town
8. Manger Throne - Third Day with Derri Daugherty and Julie
Miller
9. Away in a Manger - Julie Miller and Derri Daugherty
10. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Out of Eden
11. In the Bleak Midwinter - Paul Colman Trio
12. O Holy Night
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