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

JFH Music Review


JJ Heller, Unto Us
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

JJ Heller
Unto Us



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / Folk Pop
Album length: 13 tracks: 43 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: November 11, 2016


READER RATING:   


24 years ago, Amy Grant released her landmark holiday effort, Home for Christmas. Though Grant had released a Christmas album once before, it was this second effort that would become the classic, and even though Grant would continue to release Christmas albums through the years (including another new one this year in 2016), Home for Christmas is unmatched among her body of seasonal work. In the process, it's been implanted into the memories of thousands, and JJ Heller is among them. It was surely time for Heller to piece together a full-length Christmas album, and one Kickstarter campaign later, Unto Us is the result.

In some ways, Christmas albums are hard to critique because everyone has certain expectations of what certain Christmas songs are supposed to sound like. Take "Winter Wonderland," for example; is this supposed to capture a lively jaunt through the snow, or a slow walk for pontificating? Heller leans more toward the latter, and it introduces Unto Us as a spiritual successor to Amy Grant's Home for Christmas and the other peaceful and tender Christmas efforts before Heller's. This is especially in the inclusion of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" that leads into the simple acoustic rendition of "Silent Night."

Longtime producer Ben Shive returns here, who helps shape the album's mellowness and character. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a real highlight, as it speaks to the tune's true melancholy nature well, and "O Little Town of Bethlehem," despite the otherwise pedestrian delivery of the verses, features a new chorus that actually elevates the entire song. At the same time, however, "Let It Snow," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" are pleasant enough, but aren't necessarily real standouts (though with oft-covered classics like these, fresh arrangements are a unique challenge).

Thankfully, Heller leaves out selections like the Grant's sappy "Grown-Up Christmas List" and Brenda Lee's tiresome "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from her own collection, and instead includes some agreeable originals alongside the traditional favorites. "Christmas Is Here" and the title track feel mostly on-par with Heller's songwriting leanings, but with some Christmas bells and children's choirs included, they make good showings here. The bouncy "Oh, To See Christmas" includes a bit of She & Him influence and retains the childhood wonder of the holidays. The lullaby "Count Your Blessings," from the classic film White Christmas, is a quintessential selection, and it provides a great antithesis to the spirit of "stuff" that the secular side of Christmas tends to bring out (as an aside, some artists include covers of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music in their Christmas collections, and it needs to stop).

Unto Us is clearly an effort from Heller's heart rooted in Christmas tradition and memories, and that alone makes the album a victory. Some tracks are more refined than others, and time will tell whether or not Unto Us becomes an annual tradition, but as a tribute to the Christmastime spirit rooting in the gospel, JJ Heller's effort is among this season's finer offerings.

- Review date: 11/10/16, written by Roger Gelwicks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Stone Table Records
. Album length: 13 tracks: 43 minutes, 55 seconds
. Street Date: November 11, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Winter Wonderland (2:39)
  2. Christmas Is Here (4:02)
  3. White Christmas (4:29)
  4. Unto Us (3:15)
  5. I'll Be Home for Christmas (3:17)
  6. Oh, to See Christmas (3:20)
  7. Count Your Blessings (3:07)
  8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (3:39)
  9. Let It Snow (3:19)
  10. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3:45)
  11. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (2:48)
  12. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (1:42)
  13. Silent Night (4:33)

 



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