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

JFH Music Review


Slospeak Christmas Vol. 1
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Various Artists
Slospeak Christmas Vol. 1



Album length: 14 tracks: 52 minutes, 50 seconds
Street Date: November 27, 2012


Slospeak Records is still a very young record label, with only five artists on the roster (and only two of which have released albums since the change from "Eden" to "Slospeak"). With Bleach's Davy Baysinger at the helm, it's made a small impact on Christian music, with its fresh approach to the concept of the record label and a dedication to release the artists' best music possible. This year, they've also made the decision to release the best Christmas compilation they could, with a fabulous list of bands and artists that call themselves friends of Slospeak Records.

There's several types of Christmas songs: you've got your fun and upbeat tunes (like "Jingle Bells"), your slow and reverent songs (like "O Holy Night"), and your heartwarming, by-the-fire jams (like "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire"). Slospeak Christmas, Volume 1 has a good representation of all these types of carols, and they're mixed in very well. In addition, each artist's take on their respective song is true to their style (with a few exceptions), regardless of whether it's a traditional rendition or not.

The Slospeak roster shows up strong here. While Blood and Water's "Jingle Bells 2" isn't one of their best tracks, it's a good pop rock song that isn't really related to the classic "Jingle Bells" at all. If you like Weezer, this one is right up your alley. Golden Youth delivers a beautiful indie pop take on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Stephanie Smith takes the vocals on this one, as the duo pumps out music like something you may hear from The Lumineers. Their debut was highly anticipated before, and that anticipation has only increased after hearing this song. SONS also take an indie pop approach to "O Come Emmanuel," doing the song justice in a style I haven't come to expect from them, which can also be said for Pioneer, as they bring out some bluesy rock & roll for the jammin' "Run Rudolph Run." Then there's the singer/songwriter Owen Pye, who calms things down after Pioneer's song with the acoustic "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Non-Slospeak artists here are a mix of the up-and-coming, independent artist and the well-known artist. Deas Vail's folky "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is amongst the highlights, as is Relient K's "Merry Christmas, Here's To Many More" and House of Heroes' rendition of "Silent Night," all thanks to Gotee/Mono VS Stereo. Though some new material would've been awesome, it's pretty irrelevant, given that these are some of the best of these respective artists' Christmas tunes (and to be perfectly honest, I hadn't heard the Relient K or Deas Vail track until I bought this compilation). There's also a track from Matt Shelton of The Wedding; "I Heard The Bells" isn't a bad song, but it's rather forgettable as it's sandwiched in between two standout tracks from a couple of excellent independent groups. Those groups are Ravenhill and Canopy Climbers. Ravenhill's "Go Tell It On The Mountain" takes the best of NEEDTOBREATHE and The Black Keys and puts their own spin on it, while Canopy Climbers puts their indie/electronic touch on one of my favorite carols, "O Holy Night." I see an exciting future for both of these bands - I wouldn't be too surprised if they ended up getting signed to Slospeak in the near future. The closing track to this compilation comes from the Ohio-based indie foursome Fever Fever. Their atmospheric sound gives way to a truly fantastic, Christmas-ized rendition of an old, uncommon hymn called "Of the Father's Love Begotten." The piano, bells (both jingle and not), soaring vocals, and quiet guitar are perfect for a snowy, somber Christmas morning.

While Christmas albums from Christian artists and record labels are in an over abundance (starting in September usually), only a small handful usually end up being legitimately worth spending the money on. Francesca Battistelli, King's Kaleidoscope, and Solid Rock have all released good Christmas albums this year, and Slospeak Christmas, Volume 1 is a good addition to that list. A great mix of artists, and a boatload of talent make up the tracklist. I like that Volume 1 at the end; here's hoping to more Christmas cheer from Slospeak next year as well.

- Review date: 12/2/12, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Slospeak Records
. Album length: 14 tracks: 52 minutes, 50 seconds
. Street Date: November 27, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. The First Noel (feat. Stephanie Lauren) - Josiah James (3:56)
  2. Jingle Bells 2 - Blood and Water (2:48)
  3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Deas Vail (2:27)
  4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Golden Youth (4:20)
  5. O Come Emmanuel - Sons (3:24)
  6. Merry Christmas, Here's to Many More - Relient K (3:49)
  7. Run Rudolph Run - Pioneer (2:53)
  8. O Come All Ye Faithful - Owen Pye (4:24)
  9. Angels We Have Heard On High - Eazy Tiger (4:49)
  10. Go Tell It On the Mountain - Ravenhill (3:59)
  11. I Heard the Bells - Matt Shelton (2:56)
  12. O Holy Night - Canopy Climbers (4:21)
  13. Silent Night - House Of Heroes (3:18)
  14. Of the Father's Love Begotten - Fever Fever (5:26)

 

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]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
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]
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