Independent

Release Date: October 25th 2024

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Chapel Hart– Hartfelt Family Christmas (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. Silver Bells (feat. Vince Gill)
2. That Time Of Year (feat. Darius Rucker)
3. Blue Christmas
4. Hartfelt Family Christmas (feat. Gretchen Wilson)
5. Spirit Of Christmas (feat. Jason Crabb)
6. Mary Did You Know?
7. Christmas In Dixie (feat. T. Graham Brown)
8. Christmas Day (feat. The Isaacs)
9. O Holy Night
10. White Christmas (feat. Rissi Palmer)
11. Come On Santa (Ready For Christmas Now)
12. O Come, All Ye Faithful

After the underwhelming album Memory Lane by Old Dominion that I didn’t really connect with and the so-so review that I wrote, it was time to get back to the grind of reviewing country music, as I was in the groove of another country album. ‘What to review?’, I thought. there are indeed so many artists out there, and with little to distinguish between the good and the not-so-good these days; how was I to know if I was seeking out another ‘lemon’? Thankfully, Glory Days by rising family-trio Chapel Hart isn’t that lemon at all. I first heard about Chapel Hart from Darius’ Rucker’s song “Ol’ Church Hymn” and then further back with the girls singing “You Can Have Him Jolene” on America’s Got Talent. I debated upon whether I wanted to investigate their roots and their heart and their discography further before listening to Glory Days. after all, I know literally nothing about sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart, and their cousin Trea Swindle. After all, I hadn’t listened to their first two albums at all. But… I decided to listen to this project first. The result, of me listening to Glory Days without not so much of any inkling as to what their values and morals of the trio are… well, the album had a chance to speak for itself, and I believe that it did. Glory Days is one of my favourite albums of 2023, and you all should listen to this country trio right away!

Chapel Hart are one of the bands that quietly surprised me in 2023, and Glory Days is an album that is just as powerful as it is poignant, and inspirational as well. After the superb album release last year, I was literally thinking ‘what could top it?’. Now, it’s 2024, and lo and behold, here we are with Chapel Hart’s first Christmas album. Now, a Christmas album is a big deal. If done right, you probably have the pleasure of recording several. Just ask Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman or Phil Wickham. Oh, and Chris Tomlin also. Jason Crabb is another artist who has released multiple Christmas albums. Sadly though, if you don’t do a Christmas album right, or maybe cover obscure songs… well, who could really remember Christmas albums from Kacey Musgraves, Seth McFarlane, Lea Michelle (unfortunately, however much I love that album!) and Darius Rucker to name a few? Sure, Chapel Hart’s holiday project probably won’t be like albums from Michael Buble or Mariah Carey. But I personally think it’s such a good album nonetheless, and well worth the spin in the few days post-Christmas, or even in the many Christmases to come!

“Silver Bells”, sung with Vince Gill, kicks things off, as the trio and Vince beautifully compliment each other vocally, and set up the album quite nicely with a well known holiday classic; while Darius Rucker joins the girls in the original melody “That Time Of The Year”, where the stage is set and a vivid description is given to a family Christmas and what it looks like at the Hart household. “Blue Christmas” by Elvis, is flawlessly recorded here, as I think I’ve found my favourite rendition of the iconic classic at the moment; while the fun and sassy original melody which is the album title track, is sung with Gretchen Wilson, and expands upon the themes set upon in “That Time Of The Year”. “That Spirit Of Christmas” is a beautifully Christmas classic originally by Ray Charles, and Jason Crabb singing with the girls brings this rendition to another level- just seriously! While the first half of the album ends with the stirring and other-worldly piano ballad “Mary Did you Know?”, a version probably on par with renditions from Kutless and Pentatonix- I know, I know, but yes, it’s that good!

“Christmas In Dixie” is an obscure ‘Christmas classic’ song, but a still soothing and calm rendition of Alabama’s original Christmas song from 1985 (still, it’s a song previously recorded by Third Day frontman Mac Powell for his Christmas album way back in 2018); while the original track “Christmas Day” is sung from Mary’s perspective, and is essentially the Christmas story sung in a way we haven’t heard before. “O Holy Night” has been covered so many times, and Chapel Hart definitely do this worshipful cover justice, and then some (there’s no wonder why this carol is my favourite Christmas song of all time!); while the jovial and upbeat “White Christmas” is also present, and Rissi Palmer just adds depth and character to this already moving version and rendition. “Come On Santa” is the girls’ final original melody, and speaks about wanting the Christmas season to hurry up and be here in this moment, because of all of the wonderful and beautiful things associated with the holiday and the festive season in general. An acapella rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful” rounds off proceedings, and reminds us just how good Chapel Hart is!

I think I’m truly a sucker for rags to riches stories. Chapel Hart and their rise to fame while still being grounded in their faith and their bond as family members, is truly a rags to riches story. It’s a success story and though Glory Days is their third album, and Hartfelt Family Christmas their fourth, it’s evident that the girls will probably blow up with their stint on America’s Got Talent. Sky is the limit for Danica, Devynn and Trea. Whatever the case may be, this album reminds us that good music comes from anywhere and we shouldn’t let our prejudices blind us from some inspiring and encouraging music. And so, let us pray that Chapel Hart stays grounded. So many bands have started and then failed. Hopefully this trio isn’t one of them- simply because Glory Days is amazing, and so is this Christmas album, in every sense of the word.

3 songs to listen to: Hartfelt Family Christmas, Spirit Of Christmas, Christmas Day

Score: 4.5/5

RIYL: Jimmie Allen, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, Erin Kinsey, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton