LABEL: CENTRICITY MUSIC
RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

hen it comes to Christmas music, I am unashamedly a purist. Give me “Pie Jesu” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” over “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” any day. This means that for 86.75% of the festive season (which seems to start earlier each year) you can find me boycotting any place that dares to ruin my good cheer by playing sub-standard Yuletide melodies. But in an attempt to keep open-minded, I always give new ‘originals’ a listen to. So when Centricity’s Bethlehem Skyline, Vol. 2 showed up in the goodie bag, with its mix of classic carols and freshly composed Christmas hits, I decided to give it a try.

Obviously, someone did something right as this project was preceded a volume one which also had a successful tour. What I like about Centricity is their diversity, they have a good range and variety of genres and styles on their roster. This is reflected in this compilation, which begins with a newer signing , a pop-rock Me In Motion and ends with the adult contemporary Matt Papa with a little a bit of country (High Valley), a taste of some upbeat pop from Jason Gray as well as a few others.

So to the actual content. Most of the artists featured sing two songs, one – an already famous Christmas classic and one – an original new release. Surprisingly for me, the self-confessed purist, the classics, especially the carols, were what I found most lacking. Maybe it’s because I’ve heard them so many times before, but it seemed like no one really offered anything innovative or new. Sadly Downhere’s “Silent Night” sounded a little whiny and underwhelming; Jason Gray’s “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, although faster than other versions I’ve heard, was similarly bland.

However, Lanae Hale saved the day, not only providing the only female voice on the project but also a decent cover of “Carol of the Bells”. Her distinctive pitch was a pleasant change from the abundance of masculine voices that tend dominate the compilation. The new track that she offered was an even greater success. “Starving Artist Christmas” is a quirky comical, tongue-in-cheek look at how she’s ‘struggling to survive’ as an artist in Tennessee. It is definitely one of my favourite tracks of the season.

The rest of the compilation is more hit than miss, although  again “Little Drummer Boy” has seen a lot better days. When the artists were free to script their own festive mantras, the results were much better than when they tried to make the classics fit their own ideas.  Jason Gray’s “Love Has A Name” and Downhere’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” are both songs that I wouldn’t mind repeating, with a strong message about the true reason of Christmas – Jesus, King of Love, born in a manger, to save us from our sins. “Away In A Manger” sung to the American melody, which I’ve only heard a few times, was also a standout track. Something about that country sound that lifts the spirits.

It seems unfortunate that Andrew Peterson was only featured once in this compilation. His is undoubtedly the best offering – “Long, Long Ago”. Looking back in time to the day when our Saviour was born, the time when angels appeared to the shepherds, the relaxed song paints a beautiful scene of that life changing event.

All in all, Bethlehem Skyline, Vol. 2 will probably delight fans of each individual artist, many of whom are newer signings. Me In Motion’s “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” is one singles of the best the group has ever released and fans should go get it. Sadly, I cannot recommend the album as whole. Go to iTunes and pick your favourites, use the change to treat the ones you love to something more worthwhile.