Customer Reviews

How Many Kings

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hadn't given much thought to what kind of Christmas CD downhere might produce, but I got excited when I found out that release was on the way. My faith was rewarded with a great disc.

It's really no surprise that downhere included the two songs from the group CD "Bethlehem Skyline" from a few years back. While "Glory to God" is a fine song, it has never grabbed me. The same can't be said of their modern Christmas classic, "How Many Kings." It opens and closes the disc. If somehow you've missed it, it marvels in the facts of Christmas, God becoming man. The first version is the one we've been enjoying for a few years now, but the second one is a complete reimagining. They emphasis strings and the harmonies, making it sound very different.

Other new songs include the reminder that Christmas is about how God has changed our hearts in "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "Gift Carol" is about God's gift of Jesus to us. I especially love that second one.

The rest of the tracks may be traditional songs, but they certainly aren't familiar. True, they play it mostly safe with songs such as "Silent Night" and "Angels from the Realms of Glory," but the true delights are the others. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has been turned into a rock anthem, and Marc and Jason's vocals compliment each other so well here. "What Child is This?" is brought to life by more great harmonies and just some acoustic guitar.

And then there are the moments that are just plain fun. "Five Golden Rings" never fails to make me laugh as it passes by (quite quickly since it is just 11 seconds). "Good King Wenceslas" is a funky version that makes this little recorded version stand out (I'm still trying to decide if I like it or not). And they do all the verses for "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in four part harmony with drums and trombone accompanying them.

Some people might not gravitate to this disc right away, but if you give it enough time, I think you'll enjoy it. Downhere's many fans will certainly love it. I know this will give me another reason to look forward to December every year.

I don't ever listen to "new" Christmas music. It all seems so cheesy. And remakes of classics always seem so... copycatted. This album, though, has both and they are not only well done but well-thought-out. The title track, How Many Kings, is so honest and musically talented. I love this CD and it's been playing in my cd player for a while... I can't imagine being sick of it by CHristmas.

Good King Wenceslas is my favorite!

Words cannot express how much I love Downhere and this album. I saw them perform live at my parents' church. They played songs from this Christmas album How Many Kings. The first Christmas album I could honestly say I wouldn't mind listening to all year long. One of the great things with this group is the two lead singers. Jason has a deep smooth voice and Marc's is like glass, clear and when he hits those high notes it takes you back Freddie Mercury...Somehow they have managed to work both these different sounds into their songs and picked the right voice for the right song. When Jason is singing, they throw Marc's voice in at the right times to accent I and vice versa, when Marc is lead singing, Jason's voice perfectly accents Marc's. Like Silent Night... Now for this album keeping with their rocking sound, with words that that inspire, words that meaning, words that touch the soul like How Many Kings...They've also jazzed up old favorites Like Good King Wenceslas, it makes want to stamp my fee! And 5 Gold Rings while is only 10 secs. Long never fails to make me laugh! And Christmas in Our Hearts brings us back to what's really about--goodwill towards men....This would definitely be a welcomed, refreshing addition to your Christmas, year-long collection of Christian music. The songs grow on you. Since I've bought this CD and listened to it the first time, I keep going to back to and singing along out loud with these songs. Buy it! You won't be disappointed.

Christmas albums are tricky, especially when they come out at the beginning of October. Admittedly, I wasn't quite ready to dig into Downhere's new one, How Many Kings, this early. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas music, but I tend to wait until after Thanksgiving to really break it out in full force. Since Christmas music relies heavily on connecting with the feelings/emotions of the holiday season, it takes really good music to entertain outside of that season.

That's what this album is - really good music.

The title track kicks things off, asking rhetorical questions about the number of kings and lords that have been willing to leave their positions of honor. Christ is exalted for his humility in the incarnation. Solid opener.

A couple traditional tunes follow, as the band livens up "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (excellent treatment) and slows things down with "Angels From the Realms of Glory." Other traditional songs include "Silent Night," a fantastic acoustic version of "What Child Is This" and a quirky version of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." These songs are familiar, but the guys are able to make them feel fresh with their creative musicianship.

By far my favorite song on the album, however, was "Good King Wenceslas," a familiar song that's never included on Christmas collections. The piano riff used here is perfect, transforming an old hymn into a modern rock tune. The contrast of the instrumentation and vocal style with the antiquated language of the song is amazing and almost makes this album worth purchasing by itself in my opinion. I haven't enjoyed the musicality of a Christmas song that much in a while.

"Glory to God" and "Gift Carol," two original tunes, were also solid. The only song I really didn't enjoy was "Christmas In Our Hearts," which leans on clichés a little much and doesn't really fit the feel of the rest of the album, although I didn't hate it.

Overall, this is a very welcomed change of pace with the glut of Christmas albums that have come out in recent years. Many tend to just do the same old songs in the same old ways. Downhere succeeds in taking traditional songs and making them their own, while also contributing some solid originals.

I purchased this CD for the Title song "How many Kings", but the whole CD is very entertaining! The best part is it gives great glory to God and the songs are not the same old Christmas Carole's! It has become my favorite Christmas CD! Susan

This was a totally WONDERFUL CD! These guys can sing it for the Lord and bless the holiday season with their joyous praise!!! There is a mixture of songs on this CD, from tradition Christmas songs like God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman and Silent Night to some really awesome new songs like Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella and the title track, How Many Kings! This Canadian group knows how to rock it for the Lord and make your holiday season exciting!

If you haven't already heard of Downhere or Downhere's How Many Kings, I recommend that you do! They are all about praising the Lord!!

*Many thanks to Penny at Centricity Music, for providing me with a review copy!!*

Some Christmas CDs have a cohesive sound that unifies all the songs into a nice package. Not this one. Each song is either a unique take on a traditional song, or an original song altogether. And each song has its own sound and feel, making for an eclectic mix that took me a few listens before I was able to realize how much I loved it. From the beautiful acoustic version of What Child Is This, to the funky thumping Good King Wenceslas, to the moving, rock version of Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella. I love listening to this CD on its own, but it also mixes in nicely with all the other Christmas music I listen to every year. This CD is a welcome, fresh addition to the huge canon of modern Christmas music.

In typical fashion, Downhere has delivered a musically creative album full of good songs and great sounds. This release offers an excellent mix of traditional favorites and fine new material. It is definitely a Christmas keeper.

Making a Christmas album can pose a real challenge for a rock band. Some traditional Christmas songs are not well suited for performance by rock instruments. Several songs that can work have already been covered dozens of times with too often dubious results. Many bands lack the versatility to perform multiple Christmas songs well. With this album, Downhere has risen to the challenge and has done so admirably. The album succeeds because of great vocals, musical variety, well-crafted material and an overall strong performance.

Downhere has two excellent lead singers in Jason Germain and Marc Martel. Their voices are quite different from one other, and the album's songs are well matched to each singer's unique vocal qualities. Some of the album's strongest moments occur during songs when the two sing together, including "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Silent Night," "How Many Kings" and others. These moments feature great interplay between Martel's high, clear voice and Germain's deeper, earthier sound. Superb lead vocals are among the band's consistent strengths, and they help set this album apart from others in the field.

The band keeps the album fresh and shows its versatility by using a variety of musical styles. Versatility is displayed through a driving, guitar-punctuated "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," a reverent, piano and string accompanied "Silent Night," a toe-tapping, honky-tonk "Good King Wenceslas," a balladic "Bring a Torch," a rousing, four-part harmonized "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and more. This release offers ample variety while remaining strong in both musical style and lyrical substance.

The album opens with the band's signature Christmas masterpiece, "How Many Kings," and concludes with a fresh, "re-imagined" version of the same song. Other tracks include a dynamic performance of "Angels from the Realms of Glory," two new, bright and upbeat Christmas songs - "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "Gift Carol," a bilingual version of "What Child is This?" and a previously released song, "Glory to God in the Highest" from the "Bethlehem Skyline" compilation. While the album contains a couple of lighthearted moments, its central focus is clearly on the birth of Jesus and the meaning of that event. Downhere is recognized for their expressive lyrics, and this album is no exception. The real reason for the season is kept in view throughout.

"How Many Kings - Songs for Christmas" is a welcome addition to the top shelf of contemporary Christmas albums. It would also be a worthy addition to any Christmas list.

The original version of the title song, and the re-arrangement at the end are both beautiful. Also really like Angels from the Realms of Glory and Christmas in Our Hearts.

I thought I was getting a CD of How Many Kings by Downhere. I must have goofed reading
the product description. It's good music, but a whole CD of one song.