Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For my money, if you're going to record Christmas carols you need to demonstrate some serious arranging skills if grizzled reviewers like this one aren't to suffer a bad attack of déjà vu. On this EP the Russian-born, USA-based band show they have the skills. With its electro-style intro and some lilting bvs offering a refrain at the close, "Silent Night" is a reworking crying out for radio play while the verse sung in Russian by frontman Nikita Odnoralov is a nice idea too. Equally effective is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" where swirling synths and another catchy counter melody give the haunting John Mason Neale-translated hymn a modern day coat of musical paint. Thoroughly recommended.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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