Joy

1	Joy to the World 4:32
2	The Angels Medley: The First Noel/Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark ... 6:03
3	Don't Save It All For Christmas Day 4:43
4	Jesus Born On This Day 2:41
5	Winter WOnderland 3:42
6	Light A Candle 6:39
7	Good News 4:22
8	The Christmas Song 4:46
9	Manger Medley: O COme O Come Emmanuel/Away In The Manger/O Little Town 5:47
10	We Are The Reason 5:00

Barnes & Noble

Considering how much of a mainstay this group has become on the Christian pop scene in recent years, it's a bit of a surprise that Avalon has never issued a Christmas collection - usually a must for top Christian sellers. That oversight has been rectified with the release of Joy, a, well, joyful collection featuring 10 new and old holiday favorites. As with all things Avalon, Joy is characterized by smooth harmonies and powerhouse pop vocals. Ballads like the gentle "Light a Candle" and heartfelt "We Are the Reason" are less seasonal and could easily extend this album's shelf life beyond the holidays. But with uber-producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith) at the board, there are plenty of Christmasy touches as well. The luxuriously layered vocals of "Good News," a tender piece blessed with a gorgeous melody, shows these singers at their best, blending beautiful voices, emotive performances, and exquisite arrangements with a mix of classical and contemporary touches. The souped-up jazz of "Winter Wonderland" is the lightest offering here, while two groups of favorite carols -- an angels medley and manger medley -- demonstrate a knack for effortlessly combining divergent material into a seamless whole. All in all, a joyous contribution to the holiday heap. Lisa Zhito

All Music Guide

Popular CCM quartet Avalon doesn't disappoint with their first offering for the holiday season. A collection of ten songs celebrating Christmas, Joy leaves the listener feeling joyful, uplifted, energized yet reverent about the reason for the season. The opening and title song, a jazzed-up fantasy on "Joy to the World," gets the toes tapping and the mood continues until the slightly more reflective third track "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day." Choirs were rounded up for background vocal support on several tracks, the most outstanding of which is "Good News" during which the basses are wonderfully strong and mesmerizing. The quartet also covers a handful of songs written or made famous by other artists and, again, no disappointment in their performance on all. One interesting note: The album design has a definite retro feel, à la '60s and '70s, yet the music is clearly recorded in 2000, a fun juxtaposition. A worthy addition to the fan's collection, as well as the holiday music aficionado's collection. Dacia A. Blodgett-Williams