Third Day's Southern rock treatment of favorite Christmas melodies is a breath of fresh holiday air for rock enthusiasts. Despite the sometimes gritty riffs, it is surprising how delicately the album comes off. The quintet blends the energy of its six studio releases with the graceful spirit of carols like "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." The result is a collection of mostly midtempo drivers with plenty of buildups and cathartic climaxes. The guitars never roar louder than
Mac Powell's earnest vocals as he belts out the well-known lyrics without pretense. For balance, the album includes live recordings of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "The First Noel." Overall,
Third Day cement their sound further into the hearts of fans while whetting the appetite of those unfamiliar with their catalog. ~ Jared Johnson