Reviewed by Tony Cummings

If I tell you this is possibly the best Christmas album I've ever heard you may not be too impressed. Such is the woefully low musical standard of Yuletide albums, where mushy sentimentality and stereotyped song selection dominate, that a classic Christmas album sounds like an oximoron. But this gem from a superbly gifted singer, guitarist, keyboards, producer and composer shows that seasonal albums don't have to descend into sleigh bell.and carols predictability. The album consists of a song cycle about a chubby angel who's having trouble convincing people of the existence of a loving God until events in Bethlehem, intrude, while other songs include "The Magi's Journey" inspired by TS Eliot's poem 'The Journey Of The Magi' and "Rest Now My Brother" written for a friend who died of AIDS. The arrangements are bright pop with some excellent drumming (from Joe Bonadio), Rob's voice has an attractive edge and the whole project exudes creative freshness. Give yourself a Christmas present, investigate this album.

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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