X Christmas
Various Artists
BEC Recordings

The eclectic mix of artist on this album contributes to an overtly diverse flavor of rock and holiday classics. The X Christmas CD explodes off the starting line with the most extreme version of “Jingle Bell Rock” (Thousand Foot Krutch) that I have ever heard.

The Almost do a rather cool version of “Little Drummer Boy,” although the best remix I have ever heard of this song still goes to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The enduring Jars of Clay shows up with “Love Came Down at Christmas Time,” and Switchfoot sings “Evergreen.” While the majority of the album contains new recordings, there are some that are rereleases from previous holiday albums.

This record is great for those of us who prefer a little rock in our holiday music. Songs like “Mary Did You Know,” sung by Kutless and the slightly odd “This Time of the Year” by Project 86 (dude this sounds eerily like a Marilyn Manson song) are truly different and they put an edge on the traditional Christmas songs. There is also a softer side to the hard rock, including the emotive “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Seventh Day Slumber.

Lastly, I love the guitar driven “Carol of the Bells” by August Burns Red. This has got to be one of the best X compilations to date and it’s going to be hard to top this in the Christmas Future.

- Ken W.

1. Thousand Foot Krutch- Jingle Bell Rock
2. Hawk Nelson- Gloria
3. The Almost- Little Drummer Boy
4. Switchfoot- Evergreen
5. David Crowder Band- Feliz Navidad
6. Anberlin- Baby Please Come Home
7. Kutless- Mary Did You Know
8. FM Static- Christmas Shoes
9. Jars of Clay- Love Came Down At Christmas
10. Project 86- This Time of the Year
11. Seventh Day Slumber- Do You Hear What I Hear
12. Sanctus Real- Silent Night
13. August Burns Red- Carol of the Bells
14. KJ-52- Its Christmas Time
15. Capital Lights- His Favorite Christmas Story
16. Jaymes Reunion- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
17. Corey Crowder- Angels We Have Heard on High