Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

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)

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

 

. 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

 

 

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

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images