reviews

A CBNmusic Christmas 2009

By CBN.com Staff and Guest Reviewers

CBN.com – The holidays are fast-approaching. With Christmas only a month away, CBNmusic has compiled a list of new Christmas albums that you are sure to enjoy this season.

Featured Albums

Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin

(sixstepsrecords)
Chris Tomlin songs are often sung in worship services and the music from this anticipated first Christmas CD will be no exception. Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship features many great classic Christmas songs mixed with a nice variety of new songs. Initially, the CD sounded like many other Christmas CDs just with a Chris Tomlin sound. But the traditional classics are sung with a passion that gives them a new dynamic. If you are expecting a typical Chris Tomlin CD then this one may surprise you a bit as many other vocalists sing the songs along with him lending the CD to a live group worship sound. - lisa webber

What Christmas Means by Anthony Evans

(INO Records/Columbia)
Meant to bring the warmth of the holidays into homes this season, Anthony Evans' first Chrstmas record is a compilation of classic and original songs with a contemporary twist. With so many Christmas albums already on the shelves, it's got to be hard to produce a record that will stand alone as a great addition to your collection. Evans' What Christmas Means offers some good holiday songs, such as "O Come All Ye Faithful/First Noel", "Immanuel", and "O Holy Night". However, the album loses its chance at a 4-spin rating because of the title track, which comes across as a little hokey, and a few other "heard it before" tunes. - hannah goodwyn

Worship and Adore: A Christmas Offering by Various Artists

(Integrity Music)
Ayiesha Woods’ new album Christmas Like This is a fresh take on some of our holiday favorites! Her rhythms and blues spin on the tunes; complete with soul, uniqueness and sass, are sure to warm you up on a cold winter's eve! Her weavery of Christmas magic with her jazzy flare and thick, brassy vocals will pick you up and take you on a fun and sentimental musical ride! Turn on Christmas Like This as you decorate your tree, drink cider by the fire or wrap presents and be reminded of why we love this time of year so! - rebekah wilson

How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas by Downhere

(Centricity Records)
Albums of rehashed carols are usually as delightful as last Christmas’s unrefrigerated eggnog. So initially, the “here we go again” attitude bah humbugged any curiosity in Downhere’s How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas. Grinchy as I was, my heart grew three sizes as it warmed to the brilliant melting pot of genres in tracks 1 through 9. “How Many Kings” is their first original insta-classic, and “Christmas in our Hearts” is a Target commercial begging to broadcast. The other originals (tracks 10, 11, and 13) are throwaway white elephant gifts. As for the carols, they weren’t rehashed. They were revived. - rob vischer

Christmas Like This by Ayiesha Woods

(Gotee Records)
Ayiesha Woods’ new album Christmas Like This is a fresh take on some of our holiday favorites! Her rhythms and blues spin on the tunes; complete with soul, uniqueness and sass, are sure to warm you up on a cold winter's eve! Her weavery of Christmas magic with her jazzy flare and thick, brassy vocals will pick you up and take you on a fun and sentimental musical ride! Turn on Christmas Like This as you decorate your tree, drink cider by the fire or wrap presents and be reminded of why we love this time of year so! - monique derr

Christmas LIVE by Sandi Patty

(Word Distribution)
With a stage orchestra backing her, Patty belts out classic carols and hymns on her new holiday album, Christmas LIVE. Its theatrical vibe doesn't appeal to me, but her incredible voice singing Christmas favorites make this album a good gift for that Sandi Patty fan in your life. Favorites: "Silent Night/What Child is This" and "Someday" - hannah goodwyn