Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Matthew Parker, Irwin's Christmas Collection EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Matthew Parker
Irwin's Christmas Collection EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / EDM / Dance / Pop
Album length: 4 tracks: 11 minutes, 38 seconds
Street Date: November 1, 2019


READER RATING:   


Some EPs, like their full-album counterparts, are constructed as cohesive, self-contained artistic statements. Others serve to alert fans of a given artist or group that their favorite performer is soon to deliver new music and function as a sampler for that music. As it turns out, Matthew Parker's latest extended player, Irwin's Christmas Collection, winds up falling into neither of those two categories, which seems only fitting given its contents.

Offering a Christmas-themed grab bag of sorts, Parker kicks things off with "Mistletoe Meltdown," a light-hearted dance-pop ditty detailing his great-aunt Betty's attempts to corner him under said greenery. The equally humorous follow-on cut, "The 12 Days of Christmas," bears the parenthetical subtitle "How It Should be," and such is arguably the case. To be sure, it's hard to find too much fault with a track that trims the lengthy December chestnut down to a quick intro speech followed by the last of the song's twelve verses and a few concluding remarks - the sum total of which run a mere 38 seconds.

Like "12 Days," the "Cyborg Santa" remix of "Carol of the Bells" adheres fairly closely to the original composition's basic melody line. Unfortunately, though, the sum total of the latter number's EDM-based bells and whistles end up distracting from, rather than enhancing, its underlying source material, especially toward the back end of the proceedings where things collapse into a somewhat amorphous wall of effects. That said, a healthy portion of the shortfalls suffered by the first three tracks is offset by the sweeping and reverent closer, "Kindle," which is far and away the release's most beautiful and poignant entry.

Viewed as roughly one third of an album proper, Irwin doesn't quite fit into the must-have category. Taken as a very solid single preceded by three lesser (albeit mostly engaging) bonus cuts, the EP's intrinsic appeal comes into a bit sharper focus. Whether or not the project is destined to appear on Christmas playlists ten years from now remains to be seen. As it stands now, though, Parker has provided his listeners with a generous helping of the joy, laughter and reflection that should be a part of any holiday celebration, which makes his latest undertaking - and "Kindle" in particular - an effort worthy of investigation.

- Review date: 10/25/19, written by Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: DREAM Records
. Album length: 4 tracks: 11 minutes, 38 seconds
. Street Date: November 1, 2019
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Mistletoe Meltdown (3:30)
  2. The 12 Days Of Christmas (How It Should Be) (0:38)
  3. Carol Of The Bells (If It Were Made By Cyborg Santa) (3:58)
  4. Kindle (3:33)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images