It’s a rare Christmas album that sounds like the guy means it. Usually these kinds of deals sound either slick or all about the mistletoe. Vocalist Peter Furler, along with pianist/guitarist David Ian, leads a combo through chestnuts like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “We Three Kings,” but he delivers them in an indie pop and hushed voice, almost as if you’re hearing them during a candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve. Ian’s piano creates a subdued and reverential “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” and with strings, “O Come All Ye Faithful” is fervent and rich. Even better is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” wihc sounds like a canticle, and to even add the atmosphere, Furler reads some Bible verses about Jesus’ birth to get you in the mood to remember the Reason for the Season. Highly recommended.
Prescott Records