''MercyMe, It's Christmas'' is the second

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

album by

MercyMe MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian music band founded in Edmond, Oklahoma. The band consists of lead vocalist Bart Millard, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran, and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul. The b ...

, released on October 9, 2015, through

Fair Trade Services Fair Trade Services, formerly known as INO Records, is an American record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee, specializing in Contemporary Christian music (CCM). History The label was founded in 1999 as INO Records, a division of M2 Communic ...

. The album was produced by

Brown Bannister Elliott Brown Bannister III (born August 15, 1951) is a contemporary Christian music (CCM) producer and songwriter. Biography Bannister released one album of his own, ''Talk to One Another'', in 1981 on NewPax Records. It was reissued on the Reuni ...

and

Ben Shive Benjamin Aaron Shive (born September 26, 1979) is an American Christian musician, keyboardist, arranger, and music producer, who mainly plays acoustic Christian pop and folk rock music. He has released two studio albums, ''The Ill-Tempered Klavie ...

Critical reception

Awarding the album four stars at ''

CCM Magazine ''CCM Magazine'' is an online magazine focusing on contemporary Christian music and media, published by Logan and Amanda Sekulow. History ''CCM'' was first published in July 1978, as a printed magazine. It has been owned by Salem since 1999. O ...

'', Andy Argyrakis states, "there’s basically something for everyone on one of this season’s most inviting." 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." 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." Allocating the album a nine out of ten for

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. His ...

, Brendan O'Regan writes, "Mind you they might also be moved to dance by the pacey numbers." Joshua Andre, indicating in a four star review by 365 Days of Inspiring Media, says, "MercyMe have crafted a fine effort". Assigning the album nine stars out of ten at The Front Row Report, Reggie Edwards responds, "MercyMe have outdone themselves". 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."

Track listing

Personnel

MercyMe * Bart Millard – lead vocals, backing vocals, arrangements * Barry Graul – guitars, backing vocals, arrangements * Mike Scheuchzer – guitars, backing vocals, arrangements * Nathan Cochran – bass, backing vocals, arrangements * Robby Shaffer – drums, arrangements Additional Musicians *

– acoustic piano, keyboards,

Hammond B3 organ The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert, first manufactured in 1935. Multiple models have been produced, most of which use sliding #Drawbars, drawbars to vary sounds. Until 1975, sound was created ...

, programming, arrangements, horn arrangements, string arrangements * Mark Douthit – saxophones * Barry Green – trombone * Mike Haynes – trumpet * Keith Smith – trumpet, arrangements * Carol Neuen-Rabinowitz – cello * Monisa Angell – viola * Kristin Wilkinson – viola * David Angell – violin * Janet Darnall – violin * David Davidson – violin *

– arrangements

Production

* Brown Bannister – producer, overdub recording * Ben Shive – producer, overdub recording * Buckley Miller – engineer * Joe Pisapia – engineer * Crystal Burks – assistant engineer * Aaron Chafin – assistant engineer * Jordan Logue – assistant engineer * Shane D. Wilson – mixing * Lani Crump – mix coordinator * Kyle Cummings – digital editing *

Ted Jensen Ted Jensen (born September 19, 1954) is an American mastering engineer, known for having mastered many recordings, including the Eagles' '' Hotel California'', Green Day's '' American Idiot'' and Norah Jones' ''Come Away with Me''. Early life ...

– mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York). * Brody Harper – art direction, design * Dana Salsedo – art direction * Eric Brown – photography

Chart performance

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:It's Christmas! MercyMe albums Christmas albums by American artists 2015 Christmas albums Pop rock Christmas albums