Music Review: Winter Wonderland by Point of Grace

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Great arrangements of classic Christmas songs
Cons: Could use more original tracks
The Bottom Line:
Second Christmas disc
Could use more originals
But still has magic




Instant Christmas

Some Christmas albums find the right mix orchestra, arrangements, and song selection to feel like Christmas the very first time you hear them. Winter Wonderland, the second Christmas project from Christian music artist Point of Grace, is one of those times.

Of course, it probably helps that out of the ten tracks, only one of them is a new song. "Let there be Light" is a fun, upbeat song talking about Jesus coming as the Light of the World into a world dark with sin. Nothing terribly original message wise, but put together in a fun way.

Several other tracks on here are rarely recorded songs. The female quartet do covers of Amy Grant Christmas classics "Breath of Heaven" about Mary's insecurities on being the mother of Jesus and her different arrangement of "Little Town." In addition, they cover Michael W. Smith's "All is Well" and Glad's "In the First Light." With their trademark harmonies, these ladies give all these songs fresh takes, especially "In the First Light," which is breathtaking.

And, of course, no Christmas album would be complete without traditional songs. They've got a fun new version of "Jingle Bells" that reminds be of Bing Crosby's classic rendition. The "Santa Medley" and "Winter Wonderland" are also fun, upbeat versions of these familiar songs.

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is a wonderful first song for the project. It so expertly captures the feel of the holidays and the great orchestration really puts you in the Christmas mood right away.

Rounding out the ten tracks is their version of Handel's "For Unto Us." This isn't one of my favorite songs period, so this is my least favorite track here.

I was hoping to see some new songs on here, but in the end this that minor complaint doesn't bother me because the music here is wonderful. I can already tell Winter Wonderland will become a treasured part of my exploding Christmas music collection.

Running time: 43:40

Tracks:

1) It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2) Winter Wonderland

3) Let there be Light

4) Jingle Bells

5) Breath of Heaven

6) In the First Light

7) Santa Medley (Here Comes Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Noses Reindeer)

8) Little Town

9) For Unto Us

10) All is Well