Third Day - Christmas Offerings

Reviewed by Mark Sherwood

I suppose it was inevitable was'nt it! Third Day would bring a seasonal offering in the same vein as the worship projects. I have to be honest - I do like Christmas albums but only if they are original, I don't mind remakes of classics as long as there're significantly different from the ones before, eg, Deliverance's version of "Silent Night" - never to be forgotten! Now we have the Atlanta rockers doing the yuletide thing and though their laid back Southern rock, complete with Mac Powell's bluesy vocals, hardly catches fire at least they have penned a few songs of their own which are all right and make a nice change from the standard carols such as "O Come All Ye Faithful", "O Holy Night", etc which also make an appearance here. However I can't honestly say any have stuck with me. There are also live versions of "Do You Hear What I Hear", "Silent Night", "The First Noel" and "Away In A Manger" which really lack something for me. Don't get me wrong, all of this is well played and very much in keeping with the other 'Offerings' projects but its all pretty low key and a long way from the rock 'n' roll edge.