Capitol CMG
Release Date: November 3rd 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Mac Powell– Christmas (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Christmas Time Again My Friend
- I Pray On Christmas
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Jesus Christ Is Born
- Living Proof
A number of years ago (in 2018 to be exact!), and after 25 plus years of being together as a band; Mac Powell, Mark Lee and David Carr (the founding members of Third Day), decided to part ways, and felt God calling them to new and untapped areas in their lives, different places where God was leading them that they probably felt like they needed to explore, and that this was the right time to turn the page, start a new chapter, and follow God’s lead. As always, you can check out Third Day’s discography and history on Wikpedia, but let me say that apart from when Delirious? split in 2009, I have never been this affected, emotional, blindsided, sad, confused, perplexed, frustrated, and maybe a bit angry, than when I was in 2009 when Delirious? split. Apart from Delirious? who split up without warning, it is Third Day that has me completely shocked, and wondering why now. Why did the band break up, after they were going so well, after the release of a thoroughly enjoyable new album Revival, and particularly when I personally felt they had so much more years in them? It was Third Day’s left-field decision that made me wonder ‘which artist is next!’- but when other CCM artists like Downhere, David Crowder*Band, BarlowGirl, Bebo Norman, ZOEgirl, Jonathan Thulin, Group 1 Crew, dc Talk and others split up/retired/faded into oblivion, sure I was sad, but not this sad. I was impacted for sure, but not as much as Delirious? in 2009, and Third Day in 2018.
If you’re a Christian and haven’t heard of Third Day…well I’m not even going to finish that statement, because I reckon you probably have heard of the band. One listen to Mac’s signature voice, and you’ll know what I mean. And plenty of the group’s hit singles have been sung in churches everywhere (particularly “King Of Glory” and “My Hope Is You”, at least for the church I attended back in the day!), so I reckon that one way or another, you would have definitely come across at least one, if not some, of Third Day’s songs. You may not connect with Mac’s lower pitched, gravelly, southern voice, but I for one welcome it gladly as it gives the band an added dimension that makes them all the more real and unique. While it was Delirious? that was the second artist I listened to religiously (of which the first was Carman!), it was Third Day that introduced me to Christian rock, and the rest is history, as now I am a lover of all things CCM and other types of Christian music (mostly, except for Christian metal!), and I’d like to think that Third Day played a part in that. Because Third Day wasn’t completely CCM and pop, and comprised of CCM, worship, pop, rock, southern gospel and country, all meshed together to form a new genre unique only to them; I’d like to think that listening to and loving Third Day’s music has broadened my music tastes considerably at a rate more so than if I hadn’t listened to Third Day or didn’t even connect with their music.
Though I have written in the above paragraphs about how Third Day has shaped my life; objectively, I’d have to say that Third Day has made a big impact on Christian music, period. While Mac Powell and co. narrowly missed out on the list of the top 100 impactful and influential artists in modern music history, Third Day have still managed to carve a career of radio hits and chart-topping songs that have spanned the years of 1996 – 2017, with songs like “Your Love Oh Lord”, “Alien”, “King of Glory”, “Consuming Fire”, “Show Me Your Glory”, “Come Together”, “Come On Back to Me”, “Cry Out to Jesus”, “Revelation”, “Children Of God”, “Trust in Jesus”, “Your Love is Like a River”, “Victorious”, “Your Words”, and “Revival” (to name a few), that have impacted millions of people around the world for around 20 years or so, myself included. While it can be a bit weird and confusing for a band who’s been together for a long time to decide to break up; band break-ups are a part of life. And so, in 2020, former lead singer Mac Powell decided to forge a new career after the disbandment of Third Day in 2018. While Mac Powell himself has toyed with a country music career with his moniker Mac Powell and the Family Reunion for some time now (Back Again in 2019, December in 2018), it was in 2021 where Mac decided to unveil his ‘debut’ solo CCM album.
New Creation was a powerful, moving, and inspiring project. We reviewed the album here, but in essence, we outlined that though the album does seem a tad short in duration as well as number of tracks (a mere 10 songs!); what the album has going for it in its favour, is an incredible and gigantic sense of sentimentality and nostalgia- because anyone who has ever been a fan of Third Day will love most (if not, some) of the album, or anyone who is just a fan of 1990s and 2000s CCM in general. With personal favourites standing out like “River Of Life”, “1991”, “The Centre Of It All” and “Baptised”, a duet with Matt Maher; New Creation is a must for lovers of CCM- and you can read more in our review. Mac has since unveiled a deluxe edition album of his project, consisting of 2 new tracks and 4 live versions of 4 of his hit songs. Releasing deluxe editions or special edition albums of highly rated and well-received albums… well, doing that right is a feat in and of itself. I’m of the firm belief that if you’re an artist, you either unveil a deluxe edition album the same day as the standard edition, with 3-4 new tracks; or if you release a deluxe edition 1-2 years later, then you have around 8-9 or 10 extra tracks tops.
With Mac Powell though, who chose to release his deluxe edition of New Creation around 10 months after the standard edition; with 6 new tracks… they’ve landed somewhere in the middle. Listening to New Creation again, I’m once again transfixed and captivated by the 10 original tracks- Mac’s power and heart for Jesus is commendable and remarkable indeed. It’s not a ground-breaking album though- and I do agree with Jon’s sentiments that it is a 4 instead of a 5. And while the 4 live versions of “Be Praised”, “River of Life”, “Love is the Reason”, and “New Creation” stay very close to the original recordings; it is the 2 extra brand-new songs, that remind me about the dependability and reliability of Mac and his southern gospel/country/pop/CCM/worship musical mishmash that surprisingly works. Though I could have done with maybe some remix tracks, or demo versions or acoustic renditions, these two new offerings are nothing short of remarkable as well, and you can read all about them in my review. Mac also released a live album in 2023 (Live From Red Rocks), but he has since unveiled a holiday project, with the EP aptly and oh so cleverly titled Christmas. comprising of 3 original Christmas melodies, 1 cover, and one overplayed holiday song, Christmas brings the focus back to Jesus, and inspires us to always look at the manger and look at the Son of God; and then we can get a better appreciation of our lives, no matter how dire a situation we may be in or think that we are in.
“Christmas Time Again My Friend” speaks about the camaraderie and deep bonds between friends and family members that you can strengthen or reforge during the holidays, and is a beautifully sung original holiday song, that though isn’t about Jesus, still packs a punch and reminds us of the sacredness of the holiday period and what it means for a lot of us. “I Pray On Christmas”, originally recorded by Harry Connick Jr., reminds us all to turn to Jesus and seek Him during times of trouble and heartache, but also especially during Christmas and times when family is gathered to celebrate the season, whether it is just to thank Him or for comfort, peace and solace; however “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is personally quite a letdown- this rendition is dreary and lullaby-ish, and Mac adds nothing much to this overplayed track. Thankfully, the final two track are thoroughly enjoyable and moving and thought-provoking. “Living Proof”, a hymn-like worshipful track that is my personal favourite original Christmas song since “Baby Boy” from for KING & COUNTRY, speaks about how the birth of Jesus in the manger is living proof of His unending and extravagant love for us, that we can ‘…come and see what our God has done, come and hear the angel’s song, glory in the highest, every promise made true, in the resurrected Jesus, He’s our living proof…’; while “Jesus Christ Is Born”, a previously released single reviewed by Jon, is a gospel tinged track where Mac vibrantly and fervently gives God praise and powerfully declares that Jesus Christ is born, a similar vibe to the worshipful carol “Go Tell It On The Mountain”.
There’s no doubt about it- people will have mixed feelings about New Creation and any subsequent Mac Powell release, just like with any solo artist who has departed from a band. Some will welcome this tonal, stylistic, and thematic shift, while others may still long for the things of Third Day; and will bypass this album altogether. Where New Creation, and the deluxe album by extension, and also this Christmas EP, play it right; is where Mac does what he does best- songs that represent his own faith deep down, presented with a backdrop of stripped-back instrumentation to showcase a side of him that isn’t necessarily ‘Third Day’, but still representative of what Third Day stood for, spiritually, morally, ethically and wholeheartedly. Yes, it may take some time (and a few listens from start to finish) to enjoy this Christmas project fully (because this is NOT a rock album like we’re used to!), but once we do, we can realise and understand that this is Mac Powell’s music career Part 2, and maybe, just maybe, there could be another 10 + years in him yet. Well done, Mac, for your discography with Third Day and your discography as a solo artist, that is familiar but different. Looking forward to seeing and hearing how Jesus uses your body of work in the upcoming weeks and months ahead!
3 songs to listen to: I Pray On Christmas, Jesus Christ Is Born, Living Proof
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Third Day, Matt Maher, Matthew West, MercyMe, Casting Crowns