Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

The Christmas market is a crowded one and it's hard to make an impression so I doubt whether this release from the Nashville-based singer issued for last year's holiday is likely to pull down too many sales. Matt tries some seasonal standards on this album and while his voice is pleasant and the production is fine he doesn't in truth add anything radically new to familiar songs like "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Better is Amy Grant's "Tennessee Christmas" though even here Mr Wertz's version is not as good as the original. The best tracks are the unfamiliar ones - "Snow Globe" is a catchy little number while the Wertz original "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (Without You)" features fellow Nashville CCM singer Brandon Heath. Wertz's own songs are well crafted and melodic, my favourite being the last track, "Christmas Just Does This To Me". The lyrical emphasis throughout is on the cosy Christmas/roasting chestnuts end of things, though Wertz does get to thank Jesus on the sleevenotes and includes a rendition of "O Holy Night" accompanied by the Nashville Children's Choir.

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.

Snow Globe, the new Christmas album from Matt Wertz, has everything you love in a Christmas album and more!

Blending his signature acoustic style with strings and horns, Snow Globe features timeless Christmas classics like Walking In A Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and O Holy Night.

Matt is also joined by some fan-favourite friends on several tracks including Amy Grant, Brandon Heath and Dave Barnes, as well as the Nashville Children’s Choir.

When asked about making a Christmas album, Matt said: “there is a reverence to making Christmas music. Instead of making the song serve me, I tried to serve the song. I wanted to make a Christmas recording my grandchildren would listen to one day”.

This singer/songwriter from Liberty, Missouri, has gained a considerable fan base through his performances at YoungLife camps and the release of several studio albums.