Songs for Christmas (Phil Wickham album)

Songs for Christmas was the first holiday studio album from contemporary worship musician Phil Wickham, and the album released on October 28, 2010 by INO Records. The album has seen commercial charting success, as well as, it has garnered critical acclamation from music critics.

Songs for Christmas
Studio album by
Phil Wickham
ReleasedOctober 28, 2010 (2010-10-28)
GenreContemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music, britpop
Length36:43
LabelINO
Phil Wickham chronology
Heaven & Earth
(2009)		 Songs for Christmas
(2010)		 Response
(2011)

Background and release

The album was released on October 28, 2010 by INO Records, and it was the first holiday studio album by Phil Wickham.

Music and lyrics

At Worship Leader, they compared his voice to the likes of Andrew Bird and Rufus Wainwright, but noted that they do not hold a candle to his voice, which was the best instrument used in the making of the album. Also, they wrote that all of the classic hallmarks of a Wickham album are present from the "guitars, keys, angelic-sounding choirs, even a banjo sprinkled in for good measure."[1] Tyler Hess of Christian Music Zine wrote how the album was not "much of a rock album, more like slow tempo pop ballads".[2]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Christian Music Review Blog[3]
Christian Music Zine[2]
Christianity Today[4]
Cross Rhythms[5]
Jesus Freak Hideout[6]
Worship Leader[1]

Songs for Christmas garnered critical acclaim from music critics. Andrew Greer of Christianity Today rated the album four stars, and proclaimed the album to feature some "delightful artistry."[4] At Worship Leader, they rated the album a perfect five stars, and noted how his original sounding voice comes "drip[ing] with passion".[1] Brendan O'Regan of Cross Rhythms rated the album nine out of ten squares, which he felt that for his sake the album "comes close to being the perfect Christmas album", and highlighted that the cover art was esthetically pleasing.[5] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Ryan Barbee rated the album four-and-a-half stars, and commented that the album was simply "incredible".[6] Tyler Hess of Christian Music Zine rated the album four stars, which he said the album was just "nice", and the album should "[bring] a soft comfort for those looking forward to enjoying the Holiday."[2] At The Christian Music Review Blog, Jonathan Kemp rated the album three-and-a-half stars, and wrote that the listener should just get the songs they liked rather than buying the whole project because it was not the "best" of Christmas albums.[3]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Prelude"1:02
2."The First Noel"3:59
3."Silent Night"3:48
4."O Come, O Come Emmanuel"4:38
5."Oh Holy Night"4:21
6."Christmas Time"3:41
7."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"3:05
8."The Little Drummer Boy"4:37
9."Evermore"3:33
10."O Come All Ye Faithful"4:08
Total length:48:49

Charts
Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] 24
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References
  1. Staff (November 26, 2012). "Christmas Releases". Worship Leader. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  2. Hess, Tyler (October 4, 2011). "Phil Wickham – Songs For Christmas (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  3. Kemp, Jonathan (December 21, 2011). "Phil Wickham: Songs For Christmas". The Christian Music Review Blog. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  4. Greer, Andrew (November 9, 2010). "Christmas Music Wrap-Up 2010". Christianity Today. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  5. O'Regan, Brendan (February 22, 2012). "Review: Songs For Christmas - Phil Wickham". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  6. Barbee, Ryan (November 28, 2010). "Phil Wickham, "Songs For Christmas" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. "Phil Wickham Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
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