MercyMe continues to be at the very top of their game with this Christmas release "It's Christmas" - it's impeccably produced, sounding fully as polished and thought-through as their last album "Welcome To The New". And it does something that few Christmas albums have managed to accomplish this year - it makes old songs sound fresh and new, with thoughtful, 'turn-them-on-their-ear' arrangements, and new songs that don't sound like pale leftovers in comparison. It's literally ringing with joy and Christian cheer. Before I put this on, I had listened to a couple of other new holiday releases, neither of which impressed me much, despite the fact that one was both were by industry veterans, and this one opened my ears and brought in the Christmas Spirit. Favorite tracks include the honky-tonk groove of "Christmastime Again", the gentle 6/8 time recasting of "Sleigh Ride" the gentle guitar-driven "I'll Be Home For Christmas", and the full-throttle rocker "Hold On Christmas". But honestly, there's not a weak track in the bunch - it's a fun, FUN album, and worth checking out and adding to your Christmas playlist this year.
