WOW Christmas [Green] (CD - 2005)

Liner Note Authors: Brittany Hargest; David Crowder; Eddie Carswell; Kristin Swinford; Shelley Breen; Jody McBrayer; Mac Powell; Mark Hall; Allan Hall; Jason Roy; Matthew Thiessen; Charlie Lowell.

Arrangers: Chris Tomlin; Mark Schultz ; Dale Oliver; Dave Clo; Ed Cash; Todd D. Smith ; Nicola Walker Smith; Aaron Sprinkle; Jeremy Redmon; Allan Hall; Matt Bronleewe; Michael Omartian; Rebecca St. James; Scotty Wilbanks; Steven Curtis Chapman; Toby McKeehan; Bernie Herms; Matthew Thiessen; Jon Micah Sumrall; Brown Bannister.

With its generous 30 tracks, the two-disc WOW CHRISTMAS set offers up Yuletide tunes by a wide range of Contemporary Christian artists. Whether it's Amy Grant or Natalie Grant, ZOEGirl or BarlowGirl, Jump5 or Building 429, the performers all imbue their contributions with a devoted Christmas spirit, making this an ideal collection for those wanting to celebrate the holidays with exuberant pop/rock songs.

Following the success of 2002's WOW Christmas is a new version for 2005, offering 30 holiday songs and Christian favorites stretched over two CDs. There are selections from veterans like Amy Grant ("Christmas to Remember"), Jars of Clay (a reverent "Little Drummer Boy"), and Michael W. Smith ("Welcome to Our World"), but it's the sound of contemporary Christian pop that dominates here. Barlowgirl and Relient K turn in rocked-up versions of "O Holy Night" and "Deck the Halls," while Selah's "Silent Night" is gentle and solemn. Other WOW highlights include Bethany Dillon adding a dusky R&B touch to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and a slick, electronic-tinged "What Child Is This?" from ZOEgirl. ~ Johnny Loftus minimize