Christmas is the Time for Covers| Posted December 09, 2016
There's only one time of year when artists can release albums and EPs filled entirely with songs others have sung many times before: Christmas time. Christmas projects are borderline rights of passage. 7eventh Time Down already had one under their belt from just a few years ago, and now they have another. Unlike A Christmas Wish List however, Christmas is the Time focuses on classics rather than originals.
For the first half of the EP, the cover approach works out well. Their rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High" is infectious and energetic, and it would sound great live. The title track is a cover of the Billy Squire classic "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You." The song itself is a popular staple of many holiday playlists, but it hasn't seen a surplus of cover versions like some comparable songs from the era. The band does the tune a serviceable update that honors the original.
Unfortunately, the last two songs fall somewhat into the "over saturation" category. There's nothing inherently weak with either performance, but nothing really sets them apart from the multitude of other versions either. With the exception of an interesting finish to "White Christmas," I was left longing for something to make these more the band's own.
This EP is best viewed as a supplement or expansion of their previous holiday EP and less as a collection to be spun on its own. Overall though, Christmas is the Time offers some enjoyable contributions to CCM Christmas music.
The Bottom Line: Enjoyable and catchy, the Christmas is the Time EP offers a familiar but quality musical expression of Christmas joy.
Song to Download Now:
"Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You" (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
