Reviewed by Rick Gregory

Carolyn Arends is the Canadian singer/songwriter known to many UK CCM fans. This is the eighth of Carolyn's nine CDs to date. This offering could easily be overlooked as just another Christmas album but to its credit it's fresh and imaginative. Opening with the beautifully arranged "The Irrational Season (Prelude)" Carolyn then goes into the smooth flowing "Come And See". From then on in we're treated to a succession of well arranged and well written songs with the Christmas theme flowing through. Some of Carolyn's own making and some of her arrangements, there is also a seasoning of classic Christmas tunes like "Angels We Have Heard On High", "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". Throughout the album we are presented with the old theme but brought in a fresh way. Seven of the songs were written by Carolyn at the request of her church over a period of many years. A new song every Christmas. It's a skill to be able to present something that's been said a thousand times in a new way but Carolyn Arends has this gift.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.