The people who make the City on a Hill CDs came up with what is either a brilliant idea or their riskiest move yet or possibly a little of both. They decided to branch out from Praise and Worship music to Christmas music. Like the two previous "City on a Hill" CDs this one offers songs by many different artists, such as Jars of Clay, Sixpence, Third Day, Sara Groves, and others. The CD starts off with a nice musical version of the chorus of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" that sounds like it was done by church bells and goes straight into the title track. In an homage to the series this song starts off, "In a city on a hill..." Nice touch. For those waiting for Sixpence None the Richer's new CD, they do offer a great version of "Silent Night" in their own bare quiet style. Sara Groves delivers one of her best songs yet, with "Child of Love". Out of Eden delivers an awesome urban version of the rarely done "Do You Hear What I Hear". Michael Tait and Leigh Nash team together for the first time on "O Holy Night". The instrumentation on this CD is bare which gives it a peaceful feeling that makes you want to pop it in the CD player and ponder the meaning of this wonderful holiday.
Top to bottom this is one of the best Christmas CDs in recent memory and the best one to come out this year. Offering new songs keeps this Christmas CD fresh and great covers of familiar ones make it the must buy Christmas CD for this season.
| Awesome |
8.5 |