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

JFH Music Review


Matt Wertz, Snow Globe
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Matt Wertz
Snow Globe



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 42 minutes, 48 seconds
Street Date: October 25, 2011


Singer-songwriter Matt Wertz is no stranger to the Nashville music scene. In a decade of music making, he has quietly built a strong fanbase with his easygoing style and heartfelt songwriting. Earlier this fall, he released his first Christmas record Snow Globe, a warm and playful collection of holiday standards and new songs that highlight the joyous splendor of the season. With Ben Shive at the production helm, the classic arrangements of these twelve songs are easy to enjoy as a holiday soundtrack, but diverse and layered enough to evoke the moods and colors of Christmas and reward repeated, closer listening.

Christmas records tend to take the serious, reverent path or lean toward the cheesy and sentimental, but Wertz takes a refreshing approach that is somehow both fresh and nostalgic. His singing is bright and buoyant, recalling artists like Dave Barnes, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer. Some vocal standouts are the cheerful and infectious single "Snow Globe," the jazzy sound of "White Christmas," and the intimate and subdued "Tennessee Christmas," a duet with Amy Grant that serves her original well. He is just as capable evoking a child's excitement with "Wake Up" as he is with the romantic ballad "Christmas in the City;" both songs appreciate the wonder from different perspectives.

As for the music, the standards get a classy pop treatment that doesn't stray too far from their original arrangements, while the originals pull out all kinds of rich instrumental depth to suit the mood of every song. Playful banjos highlight "Snow Globe," while an orchestra brightens up an instrumental version of "Sleigh Ride," complete with the whip cracks and horse whinnies simulated in the music. Other highlights are the peaceful solo piano in "Christmastime is Here," gentle strings and bass backing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and his reverent yet unpretentious take on "O Holy Night." This record may be easy and fun listening, or even appropriate party background music, but a closer look reveals something that's rich and timeless.

If there is a word to sum up this record, perhaps "wonder" would be it. All the standard images are here: brightly lit trees, swirling snow, starry winter nights, and the warmth of loved ones, but Wertz handles them with elegance and sincerity. Some songs take on the fanciful side of Christmas, like "Snow Globe's" declaration "Sometimes I wish I lived in a snow globe," and others, like "Christmas in the City," reflect on how any place can be beautiful with loved ones nearby and a little holiday magic. On the closing track "Christmas Just Does This," he sums up this unashamed love for the season: "Sentimental some would say / But it's always been this way / And I'm shining like tinsel on a tree." Though this isn't a particularly spiritual Christmas album ("O Holy Night" is the only hymn featured), this intention to see an increasingly noisy, commercialized season with a child's heart instead of a cynic's scowl is refreshing, hopeful, and beautiful in itself.

Though Christmas is basically here, it's not too late to make Snow Globe a welcome addition to holiday traditions. It's fun and listenable as a soundtrack to gift wrapping and family gatherings, but it's rich and beautiful enough for a quiet evening enjoying a cup of cocoa in front of the tree. Matt Wertz's first venture into Christmas music is a solid and satisfying record for fans and new listeners alike.

- Review date: 12/24/11, written by Jen Rose of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Essential Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 42 minutes, 48 seconds
. Street Date: October 25, 2011
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Walkin In A Winter Wonderland (2:36)
  2. Snow Globe (3:19)
  3. White Christmas (3:01)
  4. Tennessee Christmas (4:34)
  5. Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (4:47)
  6. Christmastime Is Here (1:49)
  7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:09)
  8. O Holy Night (4:49)
  9. Sleigh Ride (2:53)
  10. Christmas In The City (3:56)
  11. Wake Up (3:35)
  12. Christmas Just Does This (4:24)

 

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