WOW Christmas [Red] (CD - 2002)

Arrangers: Dan Haseltine ; Donnie McClurkin; Fred Hammond; Ted T.; Jeromy Deibler; Jim Bryson; Josh Moore; Lisa Kimmey; Lynn Nichols; Matt Odmark; Mervyn Warren; Michael-Anthony Taylor; Nicole C. Mullen; Noel Hall; Paul Wright III; Pete Kipley; Roger Ryan; Mike Scheuchzer; Nathan Cochran; Brent Bourgeois; Caedmon's Call; Carl Marsh; Charlie Lowell.

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

Even to those who are completely over the prospect of contemporary pop artists churning out Christmas albums, what could seem more logical than a collection of Yuletide tunes by Christian pop performers? As much of a given as the concept of WOW CHRISTMAS may seem, the first couple of cuts on this two-disc affair may throw listeners for something of a loop. Avalon's version of the standard "Winter Wonderland" offers not the modern pop-rock sound the group is known for, but a swing-jazz version whose jumping horn-driven arrangement may have some folks wondering if the wrong CD was packed into the case, at least until the vocals kick in.

Next up, Michael W. Smith takes on "Emmanuel," but instead of his usual pop vocalizing, the bulk of the tune is taken up by traditional choral singing and orchestral arrangement. Some of the tracks here upset the apple cart a bit less--Kirk Franklin's "The Night That Christ Was Born," for example, offers the expected mix of pop, gospel, and R&B--but for the most part, WOW CHRISTMAS offers a consistently fresh take on Christmas music. minimize