Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy

Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy
Studio album by Jason Gray
Released October 9, 2012
Genre CCM, Christian rock, Folk
Length 44:32
Label Centricity Music
Producer Cason Cooley
Jason Gray chronology

A Way to See in the Dark
(2011)		 Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy
(2012)

Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy is the first holiday studio album by Christian Contemporary/rock/folk musician Jason Gray, which the album as produced by Cason Cooley, and it released on October 9, 2012 by Centricity Music. The album has seen commercial success and critical acclamation.

Background and release

The album released on October 9, 2013 by Centricity Music, and it was produced by Cason Cooley. This was the first Christmas album from Jason Gray.

Music and lyrics

At Worship Leader, they wrote that the album was "as much narrative as it is melody".[1] Jen Rose of Jesus Freak Hideout said that the album is not one for a party atmosphere, nor is it a dull one to play by oneself by a "fireplace", and stated that the music has a "mix of reflective storytelling with buoyant pop".[2] The Phantom Tollbooth's Michael Dalton agreed with both Worship Leader and Jesus Freak Hideout on his storytelling acumen with respect to this album.[3] Furthermore, Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music noted how Gray has "created melodies that soak deep within our souls to wrestle with our understandings of the Christmas story".[4] At Christian Music Zine, Joshua Andre highlight that because Gray adeptly "put[s] himself into many people's shoes" of the Bible that he has crafted and "instant classic".[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Christian Music Zine 4.75/5[5]
Cross Rhythms [6]
Indie Vision Music [4]
Jesus Freak Hideout [2]
The Phantom Tollbooth [3]
Worship Leader [1]

Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At Worship Leader, they rated the album a perfect five stars, and the evoked that the album was as it should be, which was "quite a lovely—oftentimes spine tingling—offering that will refresh a season often infused with kitsch and cliché."[1] James Yelland of Cross Rhythms rated the album a perfect ten, and called the album "a real heart-warmer!"[6] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Jen Rose rated the album four stars, and alluded to how the album might not be for everyone's taste: however, she said it could be a treasure in your Christmas album collection.[2]

Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music rated the album likewise, and wrote simply "Well done!"[4] At The Phantom Tollbooth, Michael Dalton rated it likewise, and called the album "essential" for his fans to get, which would at the same time be for "those looking for fresh rumination on a timeless story."[3] In addition, Dalton affirmed that "His songs are richly imagined in every way, which makes this one of the season's best releases."[3] Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine rated the album 4.75-out-of-five, and he felt Gray "executed his job with composure and professionalism; and with a kind of assurance that is commendable and praise worthy!"[5]

Track listing

Tracklist
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "O Come All Ye Faithful"  Frederick Oakeley, John Francis Wade 1:15
2. "Christmas is Coming"  Randall Goodgame, Jason Gray 3:44
3. "O Little Town of Bethlehem"  Phillips Brooks, Lewis Redner 1:02
4. "Rest (The Song of the Innkeeper)"  Goodgame, Gray 3:41
5. "Ave Maria (A Song For Mary)"  Gray, Nichole Nordeman, Franz Schubert 4:20
6. "Forgiveness is a Miracle (A Song For Joseph)/Man of Mercy"  Gray, Andy Gullahorn 5:32
7. "Gloria (The Song of the Shepherds)"  Goodgame, Gray 3:51
8. "O Holy Night"  Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight, [Placide Cappeau 3:55
9. "Easier (The Song of the Wiseman)"  Gray, Joel Hanson 3:42
10. "I Will Find a Way (The Song of Emmanuel)"  Gray, Gullahorn 4:55
11. "Christmas For Jesus"  Cason Cooley, Gray 1:18
12. "Children Again"  Gray, Nordeman 3:53
13. "Joy to the World"  Cooley, Gray, George Frideric Handel, Isaac Watts 3:24
Total length:
 44:32

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak position
US Top Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[7] 22

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Staff (November 26, 2012). "Christmas Stories". Worship Leader. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rose, Jen (October 7, 2012). "Jason Gray, "Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Dalton, Michael (November 3, 2012). "Gray, Jason - Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy (Dalton)". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Andre, Jonathan (October 5, 2012). "Jason Gray – Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Andre, Joshua (October 8, 2012). "Jason Gray – Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Yelland, James (December 18, 2012). "Review: Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy - Jason Gray". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Jason Gray Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums for Jason Gray. Retrieved December 14, 2013.