How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas

Downhere | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: January 12, 2010
• Release Date: January 12, 2010
• Label: CENTRICITY MUSIC
• Copyright: (C) 2010 Centricity Music
• Total Length: 44:33
• Genres:
• ASIN: B0031R5YG4
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,584 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Christmas Collection to Get, October 8, 2009

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Many Kings (Audio CD)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, November 20, 2009

By 

RainyDay (Western WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Many Kings (Audio CD)

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, January 18, 2010

By 

Holly (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Many Kings (Audio CD)

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.