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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Marc Martel

Marc Martel
The Silent Night EP

Street Date: November 18, 2016
Style: Christmas / Indie Pop
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: AmazonMP3


Starting out as the vocalist for Canadian pop rock band Downhere, Marc Martel surprised us all when he tried out to be the lead singer of the Queen tribute band, Queen Extravaganza, and won. Still touring with the band and channeling the showmanship and pipes of Freddie Mercury, Martel also recently took some time out to head into the studio. Getting into the holiday spirit, Martel recorded a few Christmas tracks for the Silent Night EP, and it's as good as you probably think it is.

The intro track is rather intriguing, as we hear the hustle and bustle of holiday crowds in retail stores and carolers singing their songs for about thirty seconds. Then it quiets down, and all you can hear is someone (presumably Martel) walking through some snow, which leads into the largely a capella "Silent Night." This opening to the EP is rather brilliant; sometimes we get so caught up in life and all it has to offer that we forget to stop for the important things. In this case, Jesus. "In the Bleak Midwinter" follows, featuring just Martel and a piano for the most part, until they're joined by a somber string section. "O Come, Emmanuel" and "O Holy Night" are classic songs, but Martel's version of "What Child Is This," which features some hand drums and banjos, almost steals the show, and would completely take it if we weren't given a 2016 version of the Downhere song "How Many Kings." First appearing on Downhere's Ending Is Beginning, the Silent Night version is more electronic and Christmasy (what with the sleigh bells in the chorus) and is simply breathtaking.

Year after year, artists put out Christmas albums that offer little to no difference in sound as record labels literally try to sell us the same songs over and over again. Marc Martel does lose a few points here for presenting a couple of carols that sound very similar to other versions already, but with his outstanding vocals and the other, more unique offerings, he easily gains them back. If you're looking to supplement your Christmas music collection, you're a fan of Marc Martel/Downhere, you're a sucker for Christmas releases, or any or all of the above, Marc Martel's Silent Night EP is a must.

- Review date: 11/14/2016, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 7 tracks: 24 minutes, 2 seconds
. Street Date: November 18, 2016
. Buy It: AmazonMP3
. Download It: Official Store

  1. Intro (0:53)
  2. Silent Night (3:19)
  3. In the Bleak Midwinter (3:59)
  4. O Come, Emmanuel (3:56)
  5. O Holy Night (3:31)
  6. What Child Is This? (feat. Ron Block) (4:01)
  7. How Many Kings (2016 version) (4:25)

 

 

 

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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]
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SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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