Mini-Review: Delta Goodrem – Christmas EP

Delta Goodrem

Christmas EP

Label: Sony Music Australia

Release Date: December 14th 2012 (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

  1. Blue Christmas
  2. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
  3. Holy Night
  4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  5. Amazing Grace

Initial thoughts: The EP is way too short! At only 5 tracks, the project ends as soon as I’m enjoying it and getting in the groove! Nonetheless, Delta is an Aussie icon and has a majestic and powerful voice, and this punchy Christmas EP showcases Delta’s exquisite and compelling vocals, as we are immersed into holiday celebrations and the reason for the season.

Reason to listen: Delta’s angelic voice and passion are pluses, as well as a heartfelt rendition of the hymn “Amazing Grace” (although the song is sung a tad too fast, and doesn’t include the Chris Tomlin penned chorus!). Delta’s voice in “O Holy Night” is out-of-this-world, in the best possible best way as well!

Reason to buy: It’s a rare project to be released as a physical copy- so I reckon if you have a chance you should buy this EP if it’s cheap- just so that you have a hard copy. But if you can’t find one anywhere, don’t worry- it’s always on Spotify! Who buys CD’s now anyways?

Reason to skip: If you aren’t a fan of Aussie music or Christmas music, then don’t listen to this at all! If you’re like me and find yourself embracing Aussie music more and more of late, this EP will fit right into your background music Christmas playlist- I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy the EP though!

No. of carols: 5 (including the timeless hymn “Amazing Grace”)

No. of originals: 0 (and that is a massive oversight- but maybe Delta is saving the original Christmas songs for a full length Christmas album?)

No of guest artists: None. But Delta’s voice is more than enough for us to be amazed by in these 5 melodies!

Does it have heart?: There’s not enough tracks for me to say one way or the other. On one hand, Delta sings each track to perfection, especially on “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”; yet on the other band, it’s hard to tell whether Delta is coasting or can actually go up into another gear vocally. Because I believe at different times in this EP that she’s doing her best and delivering to us heart, and that she can do better at other times!

Does it have a Christmas-y atmosphere?: Again, not much time to give a true analysis- but some tracks do feel more “Christmas-y” than others. At times though, the vocals are louder than the instrumentation- but I know for sure that this isn’t on the same level as Michael W. Smith and his musical works of art! Delta’s Ep unfortunately doesn’t come close to MWS!

Uniqueness?: No, not unique in the slightest- there’s a million other piano pop singers out there, and this EP doesn’t fully showcase Delta’s ability! Sounds like vintage Delta- but those who don’t love Delta Goodrem won’t necessary pick this up because of it being Christmas!

Christmas message: 3 out of the 5 tracks are Christian in nature, and Delta sings these tracks quite beautifully! But I don’t know if Delta is a believer or not, and I do sense that maybe the songs would’ve sounded better if Delta was a believer in Jesus and had said that to the public. The message of Jesus Christ is still there though.

Closing thoughts: A solid, competent EP that could’ve gone longer in track number and track duration, but the possibility of this EP being the entrée to the main course which is a possible full length Christmas album in the future makes me willing to listen to these songs again from a new perspective!

3 songs to listen to: Blue Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Amazing Grace

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Yes/no; why/why not?: I wouldn’t buy this project guys- I’d just stream it on Spotify. You all should do the same… unless the EP is dirt cheap like $5 or something like that!

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