Artist:  pureNRG
Title:  A pureNRG Christmas
Label:  Fervent Records

As the tween pop market continues to explode faster than Nintendo Wii’s are snatched up this holiday season, pureNRG continues to ascend the ladder as one of the genre’s top acts. Outside of Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus (both of whom have been outspoken about their personal Christianity), the teen pop trio may be the most popular of today’s faith-focused crop, which explains the flurry of recent projects including a concert DVD and this Christmas disc.

Just like the group’s moniker implies, there’s plenty of energy throughout the project, starting with “Joy to the World,” which fakes out listeners at first with its scratchy, old-time record opening before exploding into a peppy, horn-smacked party. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is more guitar-charged in nature and features the trio’s vibrant harmonies, which also extends into a dance-derived take on “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” However, there are still plenty of carols packed within this CD, including the loop-enhanced “Away in a Manger,” the chilled-out ballad “Silent Night” and a spunky “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.”

Though “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is mildly fun, it falls somewhat flat compared to Mariah Carey’s signature version of the same song. Thankfully, it’s the only less than impressive track on the disc. However, there is another element of disappointment in the fact this disc is merely 10 songs long with no originals whatsoever. The somewhat skimpy track listing may work for shorter attention spans, but at least one personal reflection would’ve given fans additional insight into pureNRG’s personalities, which are otherwise just as lively as ever!

  
 
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*This review first published on December 15, 2008.


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