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

JFH Music Review


Various Artists, O Come All Ye Faithful: A Christmas Album
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Various Artists
O Come All Ye Faithful: A Christmas Album



Album length: 12 tracks: 45 minutes, 56 seconds
Street Date: September 28, 2010


The new Christmas compilation, O Come All Ye Faithful, could have been easily called "Christmas with BEC recordings and Friends." Although many of BEC's best artists appear on the 12-track album, popular artists like Chris Tomlin and downhere do make appearances as well. The project consists of classic hymns with the exceptions of newer songs like "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas," along with even more recent tracks such as "This Is Christmas" and "How Many Kings."

That's not to say that the classics lack interest. New band The Museum offers a contemporary rock tale of "What Child Is This" while preserving the original tune. Likewise, Seventh day Slumber and Jadon Lavik add something of a chorus to "Away In A Manger" and "O Come O Come Emmanuel," respectively. Although Bebo Norman's guitar driven version of "Have Yourself A Merry Christmas" isn't a remarkable addition to the collection, "Joy To the World" is a charming, organic sounding rendition of the hymn. Jeremy Camp brings his always-solid vocals for the title track, and provides an easy highlight.

The lyrics of the hymns are widely known, but both downhere and Kutless have created some modern, thoughtful pop rock songs. Armed with a catchy refrain, "How Many Kings" humbly wonders: "How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?/How many lords have abandoned their homes?" Frustrated at the subtraction of Jesus at Christmastime, the singer on "This Is Christmas" states "It's all about the savior wrapped in the manger."

Listening to both Bing Crosby and Jeremy Camp back-to-back on the radio in December can have disastrous effects, but purchasing individual albums by artists can occasionally be unfulfilling since there can be a lack of diversity in that particular Christmas project. With the O Come All Ye Faithful compilation, you have a surprisingly strong selection of songs that can be listened to completely at Christmas time without skipping tracks. You may have already heard some of the songs on the radio before or on the individual artist's own projects, but this is still a fine holiday collection.

Writer's note: The tracklisting for the physical copy and the digital copy are not completely congruent.

- Review date: 11/15/10, written by Nathaniel Schexnayder of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: BEC Recordings
. Album length: 12 tracks: 45 minutes, 56 seconds
. Street Date: September 28, 2010
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. O Come All Ye Faithful - Jeremy Camp (3:18)
  2. Joy To The World - Bebo Norman (3:41)
  3. O, Holy Night - Chris Tomlin (6:13)
  4. Silent Night - Amy Grant (3:45)
  5. This Is Christmas - Kutless (3:41)
  6. How Many Kings - Downhere (4:20)
  7. What Child Is This - The Museum (3:41)
  8. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Jadon Lavik (4:23)
  9. White Christmas - Shane & Shane (3:16)
  10. Away In A Manger - Seventh Day Slumber (3:20)
  11. Mary Did You Know - Kutless (3:01)
  12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Bebo Norman (3:17)

 

 

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]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

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]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - 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]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
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