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

JFH Music Review


Andrew Peterson,  Behold the Lamb of God
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Andrew Peterson
Behold the Lamb of God



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / Folk
Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 55 seconds
Street Date: October 25, 2019


READER RATING:   


Twenty years ago, Andrew Peterson began a Christmas tour that turned into an annual tradition. The "Behold the Lamb of God" event has carried on for so long due to the love the artists involved put into it and also its success, often selling out every venue Peterson and company play. In 2004, Peterson tried capturing some of the live magic in a studio album version and released it independently. Now, on the eve of the tour's 20th anniversary, Peterson has re-recorded the entire album and is "officially" releasing it through label Centricity Music.

Behold the Lamb of God bears the distinction of being a conceptual Christmas album. "Gather Round, Ye Children, Come" opens the holiday festivities as an invitation to hear the biblical Christmas story. But Peterson isn't just focused on the New Testament side of the tale; the next four tracks give an Old Testament running start to why Jesus was needed. The standouts here are "Deliver Us," with its stinging coda, and the instrumental take on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." The New Testament-based songs start with "Matthew's Begats," a humorous rendition of the genealogy found in Matthew 1. The next four tracks tackle various aspects of the birth narrative before the title track comes in to give a broader perspective of Jesus' life. "Theme of My Song" acts as a reprise and feels like a grand finale to a Christmas pageant.

Given 20 years of touring history with these songs, Peterson brings in plenty of guests with the new recording, even stepping aside from the mic to let other vocalists, like Andy Gullahorn and Jess Ray, take over. Their additions help things feel fresh and give the album the feeling that this is bigger than Peterson and is really about Christ and His people. The album is also effective in feeling like a cohesive whole. I mentioned the pageant feel of the final track, but you could really picture it throughout. What weakens this album, though, falls to Peterson's melodic composition. The lyrics are theologically rich and each song could be a sermon unto itself, but the music is largely unmemorable and doesn't give the words enough sticking power. Part of this is due to Peterson's tendency to cram so much into one verse that it requires multiple listens to fully comprehend. Multiple listens aren't bad as long as the music also makes it worth coming back.

This leads to probably the biggest frustration with this re-recording. Peterson's recent albums have shown much growth not only in his lyrical prowess but also in his music. Consider last year's Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1; that album also contained songs chock-full of depth and meaning, but the music and melodies were infectious as well. Behold the Lamb..., in spite of its fresh paint, still feels like an early Andrew Peterson record. Given 20 years to perfect and update these songs, one would hope for some more tweaking beyond added instruments or vocalists. Those frustrations aside, this is a Christmas album worthy of consideration. Peterson's fans will enjoy the wider availability of this release and find the fresh take sufficient. More casual listeners will also find nuggets of Christmas cheer that will satisfy even if the album doesn't become a holiday favorite.

- Review date: 10/22/19, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Centricity Music
. Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 55 seconds
. Street Date: October 25, 2019
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Vinyl)

  1. Gather' Round, Ye Children, Come (3:18)
  2. Passover Us (feat. Jess Ray) (4:12)
  3. So Long, Moses (6:06)
  4. Deliver Us (feat. Scott Mulvahill) (3:42)
  5. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (2:22)
  6. Matthew's Begats (2:19)
  7. It Came To Pass (feat. Andy Gullahorn) (2:52)
  8. Labor of Love (feat. Jill Phillips) (4:45)
  9. The Holly and the Ivy (1:47)
  10. While Shepherds Watched (3:08)
  11. Behold the Lamb of God (4:22)
  12. The Theme of My Song (3:02)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



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