| MercyMe, It's Christmas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 9, 2015 | |||
| Studio | The Beehive (Nashville, Tennessee); Townsend Sound Studios (Franklin, Tennessee). | |||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian music, pop rock, Christmas | |||
| Length | 41:18 | |||
| Label | Fair Trade | |||
| Producer | Brown Bannister, Ben Shive | |||
| MercyMe chronology | ||||
| ||||
MercyMe, It's Christmas is the second Christmas album by MercyMe, released on October 9, 2015, through Fair Trade Services. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and Ben Shive. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media |   [2] |
| CCM Magazine | [3] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [4] |
| The Front Row Report |   [5] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [6] |
| New Release Today |  [7] |
Awarding the album four stars at CCM Magazine , Andy Argyrakis states, "there’s basically something for everyone on one of this season’s most inviting." [3] Christopher Smith, rating the album four stars from Jesus Freak Hideout, writes, "MercyMe, It's Christmas! is a huge success and sets a high bar for the rest of the Christmas releases this year. Though you might not be ready for it, it is a spectacular addition to any Christmas music collection." [6] Giving the album four and a half stars for New Release Today, Caitlin Lassiter says, "It's Christmas is certainly a success as far as Christmas records go and is sure to be the soundtrack to many holiday festivities in homes around the country this season." [7]
Allocating the album a nine out of ten for Cross Rhythms, Brendan O'Regan writes, "Mind you they might also be moved to dance by the pacey numbers." [4] Joshua Andre, indicating in a four star review by 365 Days of Inspiring Media, says, "MercyMe have crafted a fine effort". [2] Assigning the album nine stars out of ten at The Front Row Report, Reggie Edwards responds, "MercyMe have outdone themselves". [5] Sarah Baylor, signaling in a 4.8 out of five review from The Christian Beat, replies, "MercyMe has managed to create a brilliant Christmas album that contains their own unique, spirit-filled sound." [8]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Newborn" | Traditional; Brown Bannister, Ben Shive, MercyMe | 5:30 |
| 2. | "Christmastime Again" | Bannister, Shive, MercyMe | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Sleigh Ride" | Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish | 3:20 |
| 4. | "I'll Be Home for Christmas" | Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Hold on Christmas" | Bannister, Shive, MercyMe | 3:45 |
| 6. | "A Holly Jolly Christmas" | Johnny Marks | 3:23 |
| 7. | "Go Tell It on the Mountain" | Traditional | 2:14 |
| 8. | "Do You Hear What I Hear?" | Noël Regney, Gloria Shayne | 4:13 |
| 9. | "Our Lullaby" | Bannister, Shive, MercyMe | 3:05 |
| 10. | "Joy" | Traditional; Bannister, Shive, MercyMe | 5:08 |
| 11. | "O Come, O Come" | Traditional | 3:38 |
| Total length: | 41:18 | ||
MercyMe
Additional Musicians
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [9] | 38 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) [10] | 1 |
| US Top Holiday Albums ( Billboard ) [11] | 1 |
Home for Christmas is the tenth studio album by Christian music and pop music singer Amy Grant, released on October 6, 1992. It is Grant's second holiday album, the first being 1983's A Christmas Album.
Every Time I Breathe is the fourth album by the Mobile, Alabama based CCM/Christian rock band, Big Daddy Weave. It was released on September 26, 2006. This album charted on the following Billboard's charts on October 14, 2006: No. 18 on Christian Albums, and No. 10 on Top Heatseekers.
Coming Up to Breathe is the fourth studio album by Christian rock band MercyMe. Released on April 25, 2006, by INO Records, the album was intended by MercyMe to be edgier than their previous albums. Coming Up to Breathe sold 58,000 copies its first week, MercyMe's biggest sales week at the time. It debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard Christian Albums chart, number five on the Rock Albums chart, and number thirteen on the Billboard 200. It also appeared on the Alternative Albums chart in 2007, peaking at number thirteen. Coming Up to Breathe was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2007, signifying shipments of over 500,000 copies.
The Christmas Sessions is the first Christmas album by American Christian rock band MercyMe. The album, produced by Brown Bannister, was released on September 27, 2005. The band, who greatly enjoy Christmas, had previously recorded Christmas songs and enjoyed the process so much that they wanted to produce a full-length album. After releasing a studio album in early 2004, they decided to take time off; they realized they could record a Christmas album over that period and began work in December 2004. The band, aiming to produce a rock-oriented album, recruited Bannister, a noted rock producer, to produce it. In addition to one original song, "Joseph's Lullaby", the album consists of covers of both modern and traditional Christmas songs that the band members had listened to when growing up.
Peace on Earth is the first Christmas album by American Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Produced by Mark Hall and Mark A. Miller, it was released on October 7, 2008. Intended by Hall to bring out the worshipful aspect of Christmas, the album does not have songs relating to secular Christmas traditions, instead featuring a mix of traditional Christmas carols and original songs. As co-producer, Hall attempted to differentiate the album from their previous ones by attempting to use creative ideas they had not tried before, and he also wanted to utilize the band's female members in a broader and more visible role on the album.
Kerrie Roberts is the debut album by American contemporary Christian musician, Kerrie Roberts. The album was released on Reunion Records on August 24, 2010. Kerrie Roberts peaked at No. 27 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart. In addition, the following singles peaked on the Christian Songs chart.
"Move" is a song by Christian rock band MercyMe. Written by MercyMe and Dan Muckala, "Move" is a dance-rock song with a sound similar to that of pop rock band Maroon 5. The theme of the song's lyrics is perseverance through adversity. Released on May 23, 2011 as the third single from MercyMe's 2010 album The Generous Mr. Lovewell, "Move" was received with positive critical reviews, especially for the arrangement of the song. "Move" attained success as a single, peaking atop Billboard magazine's Christian Songs, Hot Christian AC, and Christian AC Indicator charts, as well as at No. 6 on the Billboard Christian CHR chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
Try is the fourth studio album by contemporary Christian musician Bebo Norman. The album is the third with Essential Records, and his fifth album overall, including his first independent release. This album was released on August 24, 2004, and the producers are Brown Bannister, Matt Bronleewe and Mitch Dane.
Between the Dreaming and the Coming True is the fifth studio album by contemporary Christian musician, Bebo Norman. The album is the fourth with Essential Records, and his sixth album overall including his first independent release. This album was released on September 19, 2006, and the producers are Jason Ingram, Bebo Norman and Glenn Rosenstein.
How Mercy Looks from Here is the eighteenth studio album from contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter and recording artist Amy Grant. The album was released by Capitol CMG and Sparrow Records on May 14, 2013. The album is produced by Marshall Altman, marking his first collaboration with Grant. The first single released in support of the album is "Don't Try So Hard", a faith-based ballad featuring James Taylor singing harmonized background accompaniment.
Sovereign is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on May 13, 2014 through Capitol Records. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.
The Glorious Unfolding is the 15th studio album by the contemporary Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman, released on September 27, 2013, by Reunion Records, and produced by himself along with Brent Milligan. This was his first album released by Reunion Records, and it was his nineteenth album in his career. The album has seen commercial success as well as critical acclaim.
Christmas Is Here is a holiday studio album from Christian Contemporary Christian musician Brandon Heath, released on October 15, 2013 by Reunion Records and produced by Ben Shive. The album achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.
The Heart of Christmas is the first holiday studio album by Christian contemporary/pop-rock musician Matthew West. It was released on October 4, 2011 through Sparrow Records. The album was produced by Brown Bannister and Pete Kipley. The album has achieved commercial charting successes, as well as, it has garnered critical acclamation.
Oxygen: A Worship Album is the ninth studio album by Lincoln Brewster on Integrity Music.
Be Still and Know... Hymns & Faith is a compilation album by Amy Grant. It is mostly made up of tracks from two of her previous albums, Legacy... Hymns and Faith and Rock of Ages... Hymns and Faith. It also features two new songs. Sparrow Records released the album on April 14, 2015. Grant worked with Marshall Altman and Vince Gill in the production of this album.
Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship is the second Christmas album from Chris Tomlin. sixstepsrecords alongside Sparrow Records released the album on October 23, 2015. He worked with Ed Cash, in the production of this album which was recorded at Ocean Way Nashville with a live singing audience.
God with Us is the first Christmas album from Laura Story. Fair Trade Services released the album on October 9, 2015. She worked with Brown Bannister, Cliff Duren, Jeff Pardo, and Ben Shive, in the production of this album.
Christmas Worship, Vol. 2 is the second Christmas album from Paul Baloche. Integrity Music released the album on October 2, 2015. The album is a follow-up to Christmas Worship (2013).
The Christmas Project is a Christmas album from John Schlitt. 4K Records released the album on November 19, 2013. Schlitt worked with Dan Needham, in the production of this album.
