Reviewed by Stephen Luff

As you'll know from our recent article, Annie Wolaver and her siblings wow concert audiences with their unique blend of "chamber pop" which fuses classical, gospel, jazz and country and even momentarily resembles Bond. Here the focus is Christmas with the initial choral starter of "Sussex Carol" setting the scene. We sit through "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" before we hear Annie's fragile lead vocals accompanied by Benjamin on cello. Then half-way through, Camille plays piano with a jazz feel. This is not a predictable album and some may be puzzled by its rampant eclecticism. As well as traditional carols there are also original songs such as "Little Baby" which tends to fall into the more Christmas MOR/soft pop sound featured on many a Christian seasonal CD, which is a little disappointing, and "When The Christmas Baby Cries" which follows the more traditional classical mode. Their unique style works best on "We Three Kings" which manages to combine all the rich tapestry of talent in the right measure. Overall, we have an album promising much, and almost delivering the goods.

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.

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