Joy to the World: The Ultimate Christmas Collection
(Various Artists)
Album length: 11 tracks Street Date: October 3, 2006
INO Records has been home to some of Christian music’s leading worship and contemporary acts,
including MercyMe, Todd Agnew, and Phillips, Craig, and Dean. Now the label has put together
its first Christmas album, featuring all those artists that have made them what they are today.
One of the gems on the record falls near the collection's beginning, with MercyMe’s rendition
of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemenm,” but it would have been nice to see them record another song that
wasn’t featured on their The Christmas Sessions album from last year. “Welcome to Our World”
from Phillips, Craig, and Dean is a nice touch to the album, but it seems they could have done a
better job with the verse vocals. A particularly stand-out track comes with Mark Harris’ version of
“Mary Did You Know,” rivaling Mark Lowry’s original version, and making for a great addition to the
project.
The disc also includes originals from Todd Agnew, Darlene Zschech, and even the now-defunct 4Him.
This definitely makes for some variety on the disc, but parts of the album seem to be merely thrown
together, even on the tracks where it shines. For example, Sonicflood’s rendition of “Angels We Have
Heard On High” seems rushed and of low quality, while Zschech’s “Hallelujah” has clearly been
well thought out and produced. This is definitely one for the more contemporary Christmas music fan.
For someone looking for quality Christmas songs from their favorite artists, they might want to
cross this one off their list.
- Review date: 11/27/06, written by Justin Mabee
Record Label: INO Records
Album length: 11 tracks
Street Date: October 3, 2006
Buy It:JfH Music Store
Record Label: INO Records
