Whatever the case, the distaff quartet's second Christmas offering, Winter Wonderland, fairly floors this critic who is considerably out of the ladies' target demographic.
Rich, retro orchestration and, alternately, swingingly jazzy vibes redolent of a stack of Andrews Sisters 78s are in full effect and fully effective. "Santa Medley," incorporating not only jolly ol' St. Nick but his red-nosed reindeer and a meltable dude named Frosty, jostles between both of those flavors.
That said, this isn't the most sacrosanct of Yuletide albums. The titular ditty, "Jingle Bells" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" don't necessarily stress the reason for the season. They do, however, give the gals some dexterous harmonic workouts.
The more sacred selections don't lack for imagination. A spin on Amy Grant's "Breath Of Heaven" works so well because the Point'er sisters give it a reading more fittingly girlish than Vince Gill's other half managed. A collaboration with John David Webster, "Let There Be Light" transcends holiday sentiment as has "Mary, Did You Know."
"In The First Light" sounds a touch too sweet for a song that connects Christ's earthly birth with the death He came to die. And a run through "For Unto Us" from Handel's Messiah sounds like reach exceeding grasp a bit, even with an assist from The Philadelphia Boys Choir.
Overall, though, Wonderland reaffirms my positive impression of the foursome who have become the CCM subculture's collective everywoman. And if I'm a wimp for saying so, I'll deal.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Burton WrayPoint of Grace has been making music for more than thirteen years taking their tight harmonies all across the nation with an amazing string of #1 hits on radio. Recent years have seen them start up the "Girls of Grace" conferences to minister to teen girls and release a CD, journal, and more products related to "Girls of Grace." 2004 saw one of their longtime members leave and a dear friend join…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Joe MontagueIt's the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and Point of Grace makes it even better with their second Christmas album Winter Wonderland. The aforementioned song is the first track from their seasonal disc and somehow the foursome of Shelley Breen, Heather Payne, Denise Jones and newcomer Leigh Cappillino has come up with a song reminiscent of choral productions by the legendary King Family. Years…Similar sounding releases
2001Jaci VelasquezChristmas
1992Amy GrantHome for Christmas
2002Crystal LewisHoly, Holy, Holy
1997The MartinsLight Of The World
1995CeCe WinansAlone In His Presence
1998Cindy MorganThe Loving Kind
