Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

JFH Music Review


MercyMe, MercyMe, It's Christmas!
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

MercyMe
MercyMe, It's Christmas!



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / Pop
Album length: 11 tracks: 41 minutes, 18 seconds
Street Date: October 9, 2015


READER RATING:   


While most of us are still relishing fall too much to be busting out our favorite Christmas albums, many labels and bands are getting a head start on the holiday music season. MercyMe is one such band with their second musical offering in ten years, and it's quite the gem. With eight tracks spanning ten Christmas classics and three original tracks, It's Christmas carries all the qualities that make a great soundtrack for sitting by the fire, or background music at holiday parties.

"Newborn" starts off the album as a proclamation of the birth of Christ by fusing the carols "Away In A Manger" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" together. The song takes a while to get going, but it progressively gets more engaging as it transitions between the first verse of "Away In The Manger" and a good chunk of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." What is most impressive here is Bart Millard's pure and powerful vocals. His voice has always been a great fit for contemporary Christian music, and It's Christmas finds the singer at the top of his game.

There are plenty of moments throughout the album where the band embraces their silly side. This is best evidenced in their original recording "Christmastime Again" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas," both of which have a late 50's/early 60's rock vibe. The infectiously cheerful sound and over-the-top backing vocals make these tunes absolutely delightful. Small details like referencing Buddy the Elf with "wait a minute I forgot to give you a hug" only add to the fun-loving character of these songs.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" longs to be home with loved ones while "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Joy" keep the focus of the season on celebrating the birth of Jesus. Each of these tunes have their own unique characteristics that help keep them fresh and relevant despite their overuse. For example, "Do You Hear What I Hear" has added lyrics and "Joy" (shortened from "Joy to the World") has a different pacing and arrangement than the original.

Of the two other brand new songs, "Hold On Christmas" is an upbeat pop song about being home for the holidays, and "Our Lullaby" is a more stripped-down acoustic-driven number about Mary, Joseph, and the heavens singing a lullaby to the newborn baby Jesus. Millard sings falsetto for the entire chorus of "Our Lullaby," which some may find beautiful and others, distracting.

MercyMe, It's Christmas! is a huge success and sets a high bar for the rest of the Christmas releases this year. Though you might not be ready for it, it is a spectacular addition to any Christmas music collection.

- Review date: 10/10/15, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 

. Record Label: Fair Trade Services
. Album length: 11 tracks: 41 minutes, 18 seconds
. Street Date: October 9, 2015
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Newborn (5:30)
  2. Christmastime Again (3:12)
  3. Sleigh Ride (3:20)
  4. I'll Be Home for Christmas (3:50)
  5. Hold On Christmas (3:45)
  6. Have A Holly Jolly Christmas (3:23)
  7. Go Tell It On the Mountain (2:14)
  8. Do You Hear What I Hear? (4:13)
  9. Our Lullaby (3:05)
  10. Joy (5:08)
  11. O Come, O Come (3:38)
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

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Trey Tate!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images