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

JFH Music Review


Casting Crowns, It's Finally Christmas EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Casting Crowns
It's Finally Christmas EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / Contemporary
Album length: 6 tracks: 25 minutes, 22 seconds
Street Date: October 20, 2017


READER RATING:   


It's Finally Christmas is an EP by the ever-popular CCM band Casting Crowns. This project marks the band's first Christmas material since 2008's Peace on Earth, and is an enjoyable listen for both fans of Casting Crowns and Christmas music in general.

In the opener, "Gloria Angels We Have Heard on High," lead vocalist Mark Hall gives an emotive performance and even shows off his falsetto chops. It's a poppy track, but doesn't have the processed, sterile sound we've come to expect from radio-friendly CCM. The message is simply about the joy of Jesus coming to earth and ultimately redeeming us. By comparison, "It's Finally Christmas" celebrates the smaller joys of the season, such as baking cookies and listening to classic Christmas music. The country-tinged tone of the song combines with the sentimental lyrics to give listeners a warm, cozy feeling, which is exactly what Christmas music should do. In "What Child is This (Christ the King)," vocalist and keyboardist Megan Garrett takes the lead, singing an adaptation of the traditional carol with a new chorus. Although purists among us will wonder why they changed the melody, the spirit of the song is the same. The lyrics convey the same message, but in modern English. Instead of "Haste, haste to bring Him laud," Garrett sings, "From our hearts our praises ring." Though the chorus gets a bit repetitive, the overall song is a nice rendition with tasteful mandolin and violin parts.

"Somewhere in Your Silent Night" kicks off the latter half of the EP and is easily the best song of the six. Apart from being beautiful, with a soaring chorus, it directly addresses the people who are unhappy at Christmastime and reminds them that Jesus hasn't forgotten them. In the chorus, Hall sings, "Somewhere in your silent night / heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried…just lift your head for love has come to find you." The clincher, though, comes in the bridge: "Emmanuel will meet you where you are. / He knows your hurt / He knows your name / and you're the very reason that He came." In short, Hall's lyrics reflect the irony of the Christmas season. Culturally, this time of year is often oblivious and unsympathetic to hurting people, but its true subject deeply cares for the brokenhearted (see Ps. 34:18). "O Holy Night" is another pretty carol rendition by Megan Garrett that highlights her silky voice. Thankfully, this version includes the verse, "Truly He taught us to love one another…," which is often ditched by pop artists. The final track, "Make Room," is a retelling of the Christmas story, from Mary and Joseph finding no room in the inn, to the angels telling the shepherds the Good News. Musically, it's a standard ballad, though the three-part harmony between Hall, Garrett and special guest Matt Maher is a definite high point.

Overall, It's Finally Christmas is a solid EP that will likely fit well between the usual hodgepodge of carols and contemporary Christmas favorites.

- Review date: 10/18/17, written by Andrea Hardee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: Beach Street Records
. Album length: 6 tracks: 25 minutes, 22 seconds
. Street Date: October 20, 2017
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)

  1. Gloria / Angels We Have Heard On High (4:31)
  2. It's Finally Christmas (3:26)
  3. What Child Is This (Christ the King) (4:11)
  4. Somewhere in Your Silent Night (3:56)
  5. O Holy Night (4:56)
  6. Make Room (feat. Matt Maher) (4:25)

 

 

 

 

 



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