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downhere
How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 44 minutes, 31 seconds
Street Date: October 6, 2009
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The leaves are turning and the air is getting crisp. Autumn has just arrived, so that must mean it's time to be
bombarded with a plethora of Christmas music releases. The Christian music industry will be out in full force as well to
remind us of the reason for the season. Amongst those artists trying to add to the rich musical tradition of the biggest
holiday of the year is the Canadian quartet downhere. After a successful Bethlehem Skyline tour and release
they decided to go all in with their first complete Christmas album, How Many Kings.
The album opener and title track is the previously released “How Many Kings.” This original work is a reminder of
the lengths God went to for you and me by stepping down from His throne. While it's obvious to see why it fits on a
Christmas collection, this is one that could easily be listened to at any time of the year. Later, the album concludes with
the “re-imagined” version of the song which is much more stripped down.
To compliment the title track are a few other all-original works, which turn out to be the strength of the album.
“Christmas in Our Hearts” is a declaration that even if all the things that seem to “make” Christmas were gone, there would
still be “peace on Earth and forgiveness because it's Christmas in our hearts.” This one is upbeat, featuring
trumpets, and makes for a fun experience with a rare depth of song writing. “Gift Carol” is another original. With depth in
the lyrical content and a slower, more contemplative pace, this one is a reminder that the real Christmas gift didn't come
in “sparkly paper.”
This collection also features two Christmas classics that seem to have been forgotten over the years. “Good King
Wenceslas” is by far the most creative song on the record. Marc Martel takes his voice to places we haven't seen before,
going low, to the places usually reserved for co-vocalist Jason Germain, and then soaring up to the heights he's more
accustomed to. “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” features one of the downhere staples, utilizing both the vocals of Martel
and Germain. This almost “dueling” and yet complimentary vocal style creates a wide, sweeping and moving song experience.
Unfortunately, the one downfall of this Christmas collection is the fact that it's a Christmas collection. There is some
unwritten rule that states you have to cover some the “classics” or it isn't a good Christmas record. Songs like
“Silent Night” and “What Child Is This?” have been done countless times and so there is little room for creativity.
The downhere versions simply sound like the same songs you've heard hundreds of times before. This collection would have
been better served to feature more all-original works.
Regardless, this is still one of the more solid Christmas releases we've seen from a Christian artist. It's worth
picking up for the original works, despite some of the common fare tracks. Downhere fans will be pleased, as much of their
staple sound is found here, while people just looking for a new musical Christmas experience will most likely enjoy the
mixture of both fresh and classic.
- Review date: 9/21/09, written by Matt Johnson of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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 Record Label: Centricity Music
Album length: 13 tracks: 44 minutes, 31 seconds
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Buy It: Amazon.com
Buy It: ChristianBook.com
- How Many Kings
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Angels From The Realm
- Christmas In Our Hearts
- Silent Night
- Good King Wenceslas
- What Child Is This
- Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
- 5 Golden Rings
- Glory To God
- Gift Carol
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas
- How Many Kings Re-Imagined
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