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JFH Music Review


for KING & COUNTRY, A Drummer Boy Christmas
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for KING & COUNTRY
A Drummer Boy Christmas



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Christmas / Pop
Album length: 13 tracks: 44 minutes, 49 seconds
Street Date: October 30, 2020


READER RATING:   


Coming on the heels of 2018's hit album, Burn the Ships, for KING & COUNTRY returns with the holiday offering, A Drummer Boy Christmas. Comprising of mostly familiar tunes, the Smallbone brothers present their own unique vision with a set list that has purpose. The old carols and hymns are given the duo's signature sound, a couple original tunes are added to the mix, along with a pair of monologues to help move the album along. In many ways, Drummer Boy feels like a Christmas pageant with three movements or acts to help celebrate Christ's birth.

Things kick off with "In The Bleak Midwinter (Prologue)," covering the first verse of the hymn and setting up how the world was a bleak place before Christ was born. The Smallbone's covers of "Joy to the World" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" are given a dramatic for KING & COUNTRY treatment, the latter being bolstered by NEEDTOBREATHE stepping in to help. The theme of the first act is emphasized with its concluding track, "Won't You Come," the first of the monologues, which builds the anticipation for Jesus' birth. The second act keeps things shorter, highlighting the night of Jesus' arrival with the first original track, the beautiful and haunting "Heavenly Hosts," and "Silent Night." "A Christmas Monologue" serves as a transition to the final act, building a celebratory anticipation.

The final act--the longest of the three--focuses on the celebration, kicking off with the duo's rendition of "Little Drummer Boy," which features plenty of drums and energy. Things slow down for the second original track, "The Carol of Joseph (I Believe in You)," imagining Joseph's reaction to the events of Christmas. From there, the celebration kicks off in earnest with "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Go Tell It On The Mountain," and "Angels We Have Heard On High." The final verse of "In The Bleak Midwinter" makes for a fitting "Epilogue," bringing the point home by asking, "What can I give Him?/I'll give Him my heart."

It may seem odd to follow up a widely successful album with a holiday one, but for KING & COUNTRY pulls it off. Re-imagining these songs with their energetic pop style work well, though it starts to feel too familiar by the end. Ultimately, what sets this album above its peers is the direction and purpose behind the songs picked and the way they're ordered. This thoughtfulness is felt and allows for deeper layers of reflection where other Christmas records only provide background fluff. Fans of the duo will undoubtedly be pleased with this effort, but listeners outside that base will also find an enjoyable holiday record worth adding to their rotation.

- Review date: 10/21/20, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: Curb / Word Entertainment
. Album length: 13 tracks: 44 minutes, 49 seconds
. Street Date: October 30, 2020
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. In The Bleak Midwinter (Prologue) (1:13)
  2. Joy To The World (3:56)
  3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (ft. NEEDTOBREATHE) (4:20)
  4. Won't You Come (1:32)
  5. Heavenly Hosts (3:29)
  6. Silent Night (4:49)
  7. A Christmas Monologue (1:38)
  8. Little Drummer Boy (4:48)
  9. The Carol Of Joseph (I Believe In You) (4:03)
  10. O Come All Ye Faithful (5:17)
  11. Go Tell It On The Mountain (ft. Gabby Barrett) (3:39)
  12. Angels We Have Heard On High (4:40)
  13. In The Bleak Midwinter (Epilogue) (1:30)

 

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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
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Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
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Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
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Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
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SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
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Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
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The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
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