Beyond the Season
The pop Christmas album is a lost art everywhere but in the country-western arena. You don't see today's rock acts reeling off sets of religious standards the way you used to--which is probably for the best. But even within the whole country milieu, since album release schedules aren't as fast-paced and casual as they once were, a good seasonal CD is something to latch onto. What we have here is a Christmas album of solid construction, packed with traditional songs and old-Nashville chestnuts. No surprises and no smash hits, but that's not what it's about.--Gavin McNett