2005 Christmas Albums

[dgp11776]

I expect to read complaints/tirades/whines from at least 3-4 members.  But when was the last time I cared about something like that?  Anyway, I absolutely love Christmas music.  I normally start listening in October.  I just love the whole season.  Can't wait to start decorating the house!  On topic, though, 2005 looks to be a really good year for Christmas music to these ears.

MercyMe - The Christmas Sessions
I'm listening to this right now, and it's AWESOME.  Looking at the rest, I don't know that anything else will be able to match it.  In fact, at first blush, this has a good shot of being one of the best Christmas albums I own.

Brian Setzer - Dig That Crazy Christmas
I love Brian Setzer.  Good ole rockabilly swing music is a great sound for the season.

Brian Wilson - What I Really Want For Christmas
Hope it sounds like the Beach Boys Christmas album, which I like quite a bit.  Obviously, I expect it will.

Point of Grace - Winter Wonderland
Not a big POG fan anymore, but I still love their first Christmas album.  I've heard clips of this one, and it sounds like volume 2 of their first one, so I'll be getting it.

Various - Happy Christmas 4
Some good artists this go-round.  I believe there are new songs from Anberlin, Mae, and Eisley amongst others.

Various - WOW Christmas Green
The first WOW Christmas was really good.  There are another 15 new songs on this one, so I'll be picking it up at some point.

[Brenden]

Various - Happy Christmas 4
Some good artists this go-round. I believe there are new songs from Anberlin, Mae, and Eisley amongst others.

That Eisley song is old. It's from one of their EPs.

[dgp11776]

Various - Happy Christmas 4
Some good artists this go-round. I believe there are new songs from Anberlin, Mae, and Eisley amongst others.

That Eisley song is old. It's from one of their EPs.

Oh...well, new to me!

[dgp11776]

Sleeping At Last is releasing Ghosts of Christmas Past EP, which will include two b-sides from Ghosts and two Christmas songs, "What Child Is This?" and "Oh, Holy Night."  Looks like it'll only be available on their website, but I'll be picking that up.

I'm also interested in hearing Kevin Max's Holy Night.  It will be sold online and at Family Christian stores only.  Should be a nice album.

However, I honestly don't see anything topping MercyMe's The Christmas Sessions this year.  After Bart Millard's foray into solo material, I had hoped that MercyMe would take his lead (hee-hee) and put out something different.  Well, they have just done that.  And Bart's voice has never sounded better.  I'll sum up the songs for anyone that cares:

"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" - sounds sort of like the child of "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2 and "Square One" by Coldplay.  Bart reaches for the sky vocally, and it makes me smile every time.  

"Gloria" - sounds like pretty standard MercyMe, but with a nod to "Walk On" (the "Hallelujah" version) by U2.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - possibly the best version of this song I've ever heard.  Features an orchestra and a choir, but slams along in the same way that, say, "Bring It On" by Steven Curtis Chapman does.  They've never done a song that sounds like this.  

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - now this IS the best version of this song I've heard.  This is a raucous Southern-rock fest.  It almost sounds like Skynard with horns, or like Time-era Third Day.  Another first for the band.

"Winter Wonderland/White Christmas" - as CT puts it, this sounds like the Beatles playing along with a Dixieland jazz band with excellent results.  Yes ANOTHER first for the band.

"Christmas Time Is Here" - this is one of the 'out-of-nowhere' sounds on the album.  It starts off sounding quite simple but pleasant.  Suddenly, it shifts into smooth-jazz mode, complete with trumpet & trombone and some scat-singing by Bart.  Definitely new territory for MercyMe.

"Silent Night" - okay, where did THIS come from????  This is flat-out country, featuring Amy Grant with the harmony vocals, steel guitar, and (I think) a mandolin.  Again, they've never sounded like this.

"Away" - this is just a 2-minute instrumental version of "Away In A Manger."  Something new for them again, but nothing really spectacular.  It does set up the next song well, though.

"Drummer Boy" - this is a moody version of this song, with several highs & lows...Bart really lets his voice fly on this one.  Probably the most aggressive version of this song I've heard...but I wouldn't say it "rawks" or anything.  They just really let loose in a few spots.  A pretty good highlight of the album.

"I Heard the Bells" - this is fairly standard MercyMe, more in the vein of something like their song "Cannot Say Enough."  But, again, Bart handles this song tremendously well - some really high notes in full voice and some sweet falsetto, too.

"O Holy Night" - pretty predictable version, but the organ is a nice addition.

"Joseph's Lullaby" - the lone original on the album.  I suppose this is their answer to "Mary, Did You Know?" with similar, pondersome lyrics such as "Can you feel the weight of Your glory/Do You understand the price/or does the Father guard Your heart now/So You can sleep tonight?"  A nice, "mellow with peaks" way to end the album.

This is EASILY MercyMe's best album to date, and I hope they continue to try new sounds in the future.  This is an A- album in my book.

[worldofcm]

I did this at CMC, but I'll post it here as well...

Top Christmas CDs this year:

1.  Point of Grace, Winter Wonderland
2.  Natalie Grant, Believe
3.  Steven Curtis Chapman, All I Want for Christmas
4.  MercyMe, The Christmas Sessions
5.  Happy Christmas 4
6.  Sandi Patty, Yuletide Joy
7.  WOW Christmas Green
8.  Martha Munizzi, When He Came
9.  Come Let Us Adore Him
10.  Oak Ridge Boys, Christmas Cookies
11.  Lynda Randle, Christmas
12.  Brian Free & Assurance, Christmas with Brian Free & Assurance

The Top 4 are pretty interchangeable depending on my mood.

[murlough23]

Is it the holidays already? Crap. Somebody wake me up when it's January.

[Brenden]

Is it the holidays already? Crap. Somebody wake me up when it's January.

Wake me up, when December ends.....

[dgp11776]

I expect to read complaints/tirades/whines from at least 3-4 members.

Come on, folks...we're almost there!!  We have two already!!

[Josh]

I love Christmas.

For me, it's even more exiciting than Thanksgiving and Reformation Day.

But I cannot bear to think about it right now, because it's hard enough to stay focused on classes without the promise of the holidays looming before me...

[NinjaRob17]

Yay, now I get to listen to 2 straight months of nothing but Christmas music where I work.    

[dgp11776]

Yay, now I get to listen to 2 straight months of nothing but Christmas music where I work.  

LUCKYYYYY!!!!

[murlough23]

I kinda like Christmas, actually. I just hate getting inundated with Christmas music (mostly of the schmaltzy sentimental variety; I do like Christmas carols) for two straight months, feeling like I have to spend money and rack my brains trying to come up with gifts for people (or at the very least something to write in cards) to prove I still consider them good friends, having to remember who to wish Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas when giving said gifts or cards, long lines at stores, and having all these ridiculous winter themes running around everywhere when WE DON'T HAVE REAL WINTER IN L.A. AND I LIKE IT THAT WAY.

But Thanksgiving's fun. You can wake me up for that. Then I'll let the food coma carry me through to January.

NP: "You're the One", Chris Tomlin

[dgp11776]

Tracklisting
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. The First Noel
3. Silent Night
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem
5. I Saw Three Ships
6. Greensleeves
7. What Child is This?
8. Away in a Manger
9. O Holy Night
10. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
11. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
12. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
13. Joy to the World

[Josh]

What's the release date on that one, DGP?

[murlough23]

While I'm a big KMax fan, I'm not so sure I want to hear him make "O Holy Night" and several of my other favorites totally un-sing-along-able.

[dgp11776]

What's the release date on that one, DGP?

His website just says December...it will only be available through his website and Family Christian Stores.

[PaulDA]

Well, I just ordered 'WOW Christmas Green' from CBD for $14.99.
To offset the cost, I also ordered two sets of ten Christmas CDs for $9.99 per set to sell my my flea markets.
Admittantly, I would never have ordered it if RSJ didn't have a new song on there, but once I have the album I will enjoy all the songs.
I listen to 'Jesus' Christmas songs all year anyway. To me, they are really worship songs, and not seasonal songs only for Christmas.

[murlough23]

I listen to 'Jesus' Christmas songs all year anyway. To me, they are really worship songs, and not seasonal songs only for Christmas.

That's a good point, actually. Even if they're very spiritual, though, most CCM Christmas recordings do play up the winter/sentimental aspect a bit, which is why I can't generally get into them. I've seen the track listing for this year's WoW Christmas, and I know there are at least a few of those type of songs on there. But then again, you get Jars of Clay's "Little Drummer Boy"... I love their take on that one.

Maybe the reason why I like RSJ's Christmas album is because she's from the Southern Hemisphere, so she doesn't sing about snow and crap like that.

[PaulDA]

Maybe the reason why I like RSJ's Christmas album is because she's from the Southern Hemisphere, so she doesn't sing about snow and crap like that.

Well, I'm only talking about Christmas songs that are about Jesus.
I agree that the 'Winter Wonderland' types are not interesting all year round.

[plumb_fan]

I got Green a couple of weeks ago.  I'm quite suprised at how much a like it; much more than the first one.  That probably has to do with having less of the original stuff and focusing on the traditionals.  What's shocking is that Kutless's "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is easily my favorite song.  I dare say it's the best thing i've ever heard them do (though I guess the fact that they wrote neither the lyrics or melody may play a role in that).  If they could reproduce this throughout an entire album, I might actually enjoy it.

Now if only Jars could find away to make a full-length Christmas album.  Oh well, maybe next year (or not).

[dgp11776]

What's shocking is that Kutless's "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is easily my favorite song.  I dare say it's the best thing i've ever heard them do (though I guess the fact that they wrote neither the lyrics or melody may play a role in that).  If they could reproduce this throughout an entire album, I might actually enjoy it.
 

Yeah, I concur...is that a mandolin solo I hear?

[dgp11776]

Well, I just ordered 'WOW Christmas Green' from CBD for $14.99.

It has some really good songs on it once again.  The ones that are really good, in my opinion, are:

Joy to the World - Natalie Grant
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Jaci Velasquez
Little Drummer Boy - Jars of Clay
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Third Day
O Holy Night - BarlowGirl
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Joy Williams
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Bethany Dillon
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Matthew West
Jingle Bell Rock - Point of Grace
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Kutless
Deck the Halls - Relient K
Feliz Navidad - David Crowder Band

[Aaron]

Diana Krall's christmas album is wonderful

[Josh]

Diana Krall's christmas album is wonderful

That one's on my to-hear list. I enjoyed her last album, The Girl in the Other Room, and have always suspected that she would be a good choice for a Christmas album.

(Her husband is still way cooler, of course.)

[Aaron]

it's on iTunes.  

[Brenden]

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Bethany Dillon

I heard this song, I adored what she did with it.

[murlough23]

What's shocking is that Kutless's "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is easily my favorite song.  I dare say it's the best thing i've ever heard them do (though I guess the fact that they wrote neither the lyrics or melody may play a role in that).  If they could reproduce this throughout an entire album, I might actually enjoy it.

What's the style of the song? I'm guessing they did a little more than the usual power-chord heavy bland rock.

Now if only Jars could find away to make a full-length Christmas album.  Oh well, maybe next year (or not).

More like, if only Essential could find a way to actually let them do that. It hasn't been for lack of trying on the band's part. They've just got a label that doesn't like to let them do what they feel called to do as a band.

[PaulDA]

What's the style of the song? I'm guessing they did a little more than the usual power-chord heavy bland rock.
 

It's just killing you that they like it, isn't it?  :bosh:    :brickwall:  :glance:    

[murlough23]

What's the style of the song? I'm guessing they did a little more than the usual power-chord heavy bland rock.
 

It's just killing you that they like it, isn't it?  :bosh:    :brickwall:  :glance:  

Not necessarily. It they actually managed a creative, or at least interesting, take on the song, then that's promising. My actual theory is that Kutless is better as a mellow, inspirational pop/rock group than they are as a heavy rock band. They still aren't very good at that, but if more interesting sounds are coming from them, even on a cover of a Christmas song, I'm not gonna complain. It's not like I want to see them do nothing but suck for the rest of their career. My hopes for the band and my actual expectations are two different things.

[danny316]

On Kevin Max: OK, So Northern has an act that people have actually heard of and will buy stuff from, Yay. Isn't an album, an EP, and a Christmas album, all in one year, a bit of overkill?

As far Jars of Clay, they've already done a Christmas album - it's being released one song at a time on various compilations. I don't recall when they recorded it, but the label's been splitting up the tracks instead of releasing a decent album ever since.

I'm pissed at BEC for trying to recycle a song from Volume 1 of Happy Christmas for Volume 4. That's just pathetic.

As someone who rarely buys Christmas music, I'd like to know if there's anything must-have out this year. Is there?
 

[PaulDA]

Isn't an album, an EP, and a Christmas album, all in one year, a bit of overkill?
 

Not to me. I'm from the old school, if I am a fan of a singer, I want them to put out as many CDs in one year as they can.
I remember back in the early seventies when James Brown would put out 3-4 albums in one year and 7 or more singles!! He did put out more than most, but quite a few other singers also put out more than one album a year back then and about 4 singles.

[murlough23]

Not to me. I'm from the old school, if I am a fan of a singer, I want them to put out as many CDs in one year as they can.
I remember back in the early seventies when James Brown would put out 3-4 albums in one year and 7 or more singles!! He did put out more than most, but quite a few other singers also put out more than one album a year back then and about 4 singles.

I'd be all for increased output from all of my favorite artists... if it was still quality material that had received a good amount of attention instead of being hastily thrown together. The problem is that, in the real world when you have to tour and promote your band and take care of all sorts of other odds and ends, you often have to either put out rushed and sometimes unfinished products, or you have to take years to get an album out. I'd rather wait 5 years for a well thought-out classic album than have 5 albums released over the course of those 5 years that were hit-and-miss with a fwe good singles here and there.

Having said that, singles and EP's aren't too much work for most artists to put out, as they generally consist of a popular song in its album version or another form, and maybe a few other album tracks or songs that didn't make the cut but were still already recorded. It's a way to give the excess material a chance to be heard. Sometimes an artist will put out an EP of all new stuff that doesn't fit an album they're working on or whatever, but this seems to be more the exception than the rule.

And Christmas albums, while they may need attention in the arrangement and performance department, generally don't require a lot of work in the songwriting department, because the songs are mostly already written.

[worldofcm]

As far Jars of Clay, they've already done a Christmas album - it's being released one song at a time on various compilations. I don't recall when they recorded it, but the label's been splitting up the tracks instead of releasing a decent album ever since.

Proof?

[murlough23]

That statement about the JoC Christmas album already being recorded wouldn't surprise me... but man, that's sad. And yeah, I'd like to see the proof on that one. Not that I think Danny's a liar; I'm just curious what his source is.

NP: "What If", Coldplay

[danny316]

That statement about the JoC Christmas album already being recorded wouldn't surprise me... but man, that's sad. And yeah, I'd like to see the proof on that one. Not that I think Danny's a liar; I'm just curious what his source is.

NP: "What If", Coldplay

Jarsworld has some details.

I think I've heard about it at jarchives too, but the jarsworld link was most handy when performing a simple Google search on the topic.  

[murlough23]

Jarsworld has some details.

I think I've heard about it at jarchives too, but the jarsworld link was most handy when performing a simple Google search on the topic.

That shows me that they have 2 or 3 scattered Christmas songs lying around, not an entire album's worth. And it doesn't say anything about the intentional recording of all of those songs all at once.

NP: "Swallowed in the Sea", Coldplay

[danny316]

Jarsworld has some details.

I think I've heard about it at jarchives too, but the jarsworld link was most handy when performing a simple Google search on the topic.

That shows me that they have 2 or 3 scattered Christmas songs lying around, not an entire album's worth. And it doesn't say anything about the intentional recording of all of those songs all at once.

NP: "Swallowed in the Sea", Coldplay

"The Christmas album sessions began in late 2000, but they were cancelled when the Christmas album was put on hold in early 2001."

That sounds like an album was in the works to me. I suppose that they might not have had a whole album finished, but to be honest I don't think it changes my thoughts on the matter much. It still adds up to one being in the works and split up by the record label. We could dig through jarchives posts all day to figure out exactly how many songs were put together, but it doesn't make much difference - we're not going to be able to hear an album of material anyway.  

[murlough23]

"The Christmas album sessions began in late 2000, but they were cancelled when the Christmas album was put on hold in early 2001."

Ah. I somehow missed that text on the page. Sorry.

NP: "Jump Start Your Electric Heart!", Kevin Max

[plumb_fan]

What's the style of the song? I'm guessing they did a little more than the usual power-chord heavy bland rock.



 

Actually, the song is fully acoustic.  It even has a guitar (or mandolin) solo, though it's little more than the song's melody.  Micah isn't doing his Scott Stapp impression either.  I wouldn't say they have a dark take on the song, but it has more of a mood than the version I sing at church (somewhat reminds me of Jars' "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in that aspect).

It's far from being the most creative or artsy thing out there.  For Christmas music though, I think it works well.  If I could find a Christmas album in this vein, i'd listen to it all the time.

I must say though, Building 429 had the chance to do something similar with "We 3 Kings" and totally butchered it.

[plumb_fan]

I'm pissed at BEC for trying to recycle a song from Volume 1 of Happy Christmas for Volume 4. That's just pathetic.

 

I agree about putting "Evergreen" on volume four.  Seems like nothing more than trying to capitalize off of Switchfoot's current success.

I will say though, this one seems to be the most consistent of the 4 albums.  I can actually listen to it the whole way through unlike the others. I was lucky to find more than 3 songs I liked on any of those.  I'm also estatic someone did a non-popified version of "Mary Did You Know."  I was about to put Clay Aiken's version on my Christmas compilation.  Scary thought people, scary thought.