INO & SRE Records released "Joy to the World: The Ultimate Christmas Collection" on Oct. 3. Maybe not the "ultimate," but it a pleasant compilation with strong artists.
I love its muscular, almost startling opening. MercyMe comes roaring out of the gate with heavy looming strings and fierce electric guitars. Surprise: it’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”! Thickly orchestrated, it snuck up on me. It’s followed, interestingly enough, by the quiet “Messiah (The Christmas Version).” Phil Wickham’s high-pitched vocals over the electric guitar contain an air of melancholy that I really enjoyed. “Welcome to Our World” is a standout track by Phillips Craig & Dean, their tight harmonies sparkling over a mournful cello. Oddly enough, the album’s best moments on this collection of less well-known carols are not the joyful ones, but the sensitively rendered contemplative songs. And yes, that could very well be what is “ultimate” in a Christmas record. Anything that can slow us down momentarily in this frenetic season is special.
Todd Agnew takes his “God With Us” from its simple yet powerful opening to a final release of great joy and worship. The moving and hushed “Breath of Heaven” is the perfect vehicle for Sara Groves’ pure tones, and Derek Webb is equally well matched with “Lo How A Rose E’re Blooming.” Presented with the feel of an elementary school production, its stark piano chords possess a moving simplicity that Webb wisely accentuates with his straightforward vocals.
The album closes with INO prodigy Nicholas Jonas singing his “Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer),” a dramatic overly-orchestrated song that feels somewhat out of place after the raw power of the preceding tracks. Still, not a bad album at all. It goes beyond your standard Christmas fare and even contains the occasional surprise, which is hard to do with so many Christmas albums flooding the market.
Click here for a full list of Suite's reviews of 2006 Christmas albums.
